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From WikiStory

          Today was another one of my nature days. Wildlife in the day and the universe in the evening.

          This morning, I went to Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. It is famous because it has long transparent giant tubes that we walk through, and the tubes are surrounded on all sides by water and ocean life. It is meant to give us the feeling of being in the ocean as if we were scuba diving. I have always liked the New England Aquarium, but this place far surpasses it. The owner thought of such creative ways for people to view the animals and fish that made it unusually entertaining.

          At the entrance I was handed a map of the route through Kelly Tarlton’s. The first area belonged to the penguins. There was a viewing window, which was nice, but not out of the ordinary. Then we temporarily left the penguins and were guided into “Scott’s Hut”. This was interesting. It was a reconstruction of a cabin that explorer Captain Robert Scott and his men used during their work. They are famous here for their trek to the South Pole. There were bunk beds and fur blankets, books stacked in piles, playing cards, clothes draped over the backs of wooden chairs, a couple of pots and pans, etc. I wondered how warm the real little hut was, and if the men were perpetually shivering.

          When we exited the rustic cabin, a cute red minibus called the “Snowcat” was waiting for us to board. We were taken on a slow, gentle ride through a penguin habitat, an orca pool, and an ocean aquarium display. These were all live. That is, real penguins, real whales, coral, seaweed, fish, turtles, etc. It was relaxing and pleasant to watch. No matter how many times I see these ocean creatures, I never get bored. There is something about them that is riveting.

          I disembarked from the Snowcat and had a leisurely stroll along the stingray pool. I came upon a small screen and benches where I was able to pause to watch a short movie about marine life.

          Then I set foot in the opening of “Underwater World”, the walk-through tubes surrounded by a living replica of the ocean. I noticed that people hushed a little as they entered this passage. Crossing that threshold to an inner ocean inspired a sense of awe. People whispered and pointed admiringly at the smooth, multicolored shapes gliding past. Certain sections of the path had a moving walkway. I was immersed in the shark tank at first, then more stingrays, then suddenly lobsters overhead and all around, then seahorses, turtles, eels, octopuses, and fish of every kind. The tourists were in the tanks, with the fish looking in. We were in another dimension.

          Naturally, the path ended at the door to the gift shop. An abrupt return to the real world. I admit, I gave in and bought a cute stuffed penguin for my three year old nephew Nathan. I couldn’t resist.

          Tarlton’s cafeteria lunch wasn’t very good, but it was convenient and quick. I was eager to see the Auckland Zoo this afternoon, and I treated myself to a taxi ride directly from the aquarium.

          The Auckland Zoo was nicely laid out, with clean walkways, beautiful plantings, and comfortable natural habitats for each kind of animal. I followed the “Primate Trail” which housed orangutans, lemurs, chimpanzees, and so on. I visited the “Hippo River” which made me think of the Nile River in Egypt. The rainforest was the real thing, with more monkeys, birds, chameleons, and even tarantulas (in a glass case). The Asian Elephants were grand, but I was spoiled from having seen them in the wildlife refuge in South Africa. Nothing could compare to that. The “Pridelands” was a vast grassland area where lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and springbok roamed. Even though I had seen them in South Africa, it was still exciting to watch them again, and the zoo had done an excellent job of making their territory seem authentic. A few Zulu huts were scattered through the area for us to see, as well. I followed the path to the zoo beach where sea lions lazed on the rocks, and shorebirds and penguins had settled in. The zoo had special house just for kiwis and tuataras which are thought of as New Zealand icons. Kiwis are cute, odd looking, flightless birds found here in New Zealand. Tuataras are large, ugly lizards, that can grow up to two feet long. They are important because they are living fossils, meaning that they are related to reptiles from the dinosaur era and have survived until now almost unchanged.

          The aviary was humid and dreamy, with lush green plantings, a waterfall, a stream, and the continual cheerful warble, trill, and chirp of various birds.

          Typically, the way to the exit was through the gift shop. Well, I had bought a gift for Nathan, so I had to buy something for my 6 year old niece Mara. And there it was, an adorable furry toy kiwi bird with a strap and a zipper on the back so it could double as a shoulder bag. Mara will love it.

          I had asked at the hotel about restaurants, and Non Solo Pizza was recommended to me for dinner. It wasn’t just pizza. They served chicken dishes, fish, beef, salads, etc. My chicken with broccoli and ziti in alfredo sauce was so good, my mouth waters now just remembering it.

          After dinner, I went to the Stardome Observatory. I watched the planetarium show, which was enjoyable, although similar to ones I’ve seen in New York City. I was eagerly awaiting the next part of the evening, which I knew would be coming. We could each take a turn looking through telescopes into the white freckled black sky. I even had a turn at the larger more powerful Zeiss telescope. The Stardome tour guides were there to make sure we understood what we were seeing through those intense lenses. Seeing that deep into the universe is breath taking.

          I’m sure, when I close my eyes tonight, I will see visions from the telescopes. But tomorrow night, perhaps I will dream of fiery lava. I have signed up for a trip to see the volcanoes in Devonport tomorrow. New Zealand is amazing.