The march of technology can be both thrilling and irritating, especially in the home, where it’s often hard to prise one’s children away from computers, phones and TV screens! However, when it comes to family fun, a high-tech experience or two can contrast beautifully with a dose of back-to-nature – as our family of four discovered recently during a long weekend in Wellington.
The nature part started at Wellington Zoo, where we’d booked for a close encounter with the red pandas. Animals definitely aren’t my specialist subject so I was keen to see how these cute, furry creatures relate to the black and white Chinese pandas we all know from TV wildlife documentaries.
Dave the panda keeper told us that the connection is actually quite remote. While both eat bamboo, the redpanda is more closely akin to a racoon. He explained it’s a nocturnal animal, tending to live quietly during theday, but the ones we befriended in their zoo enclosure looked perfectly active to me – and it was only 11am!
William was delighted when they ate grapes and sliced apple straight from his hand, while Issey – as always when she meets new animals – was keen to take them home as pets. I had to explain patiently that our cat Brutus might not like them encroaching on her territory, and Dad certainly wouldn’t want pandas eating his bamboo!
At Te Papa, we had the first of our state-of-the art experiences – on the High Ride. our turn arrived and I shuffled to my seat holding my handbag, ignoring signs saying that it should be left at the front of the room. When a nice lady came over and insisted on taking it, I was cross for a moment – but I quickly figured outwhy she was so concerned. This must be the most incredible ride you can possibly take without leaving your seat!
Issey held my hand tightly as we crashed over rocks, soared across the countryside and bungee-jumped off the Sky Tower, all as part of an exhilarating ride through New Zealand’s history and landscape. I realised if I had held on to my handbag, it probably would have launched itself across the room, perhaps hitting another unfortunate Te Papa visitor on the head!
Afterwards, feeling both shaken and stirred, we took in a much more sedate virtual submarine ride, paused for a quick sandwich and a stomach-calming coffee, then headed out for a bracing late-afternoon walk along the city’s windswept waterfront.
From our enormous yet cosy apartment at the CityLife Hotel, the cable-car station was only a few steps away, so next morning we rode the cable car up the hill to visit the newly refurbished Carter observatory. once again, innovation was at the fore with an amazing sound and light show played out on the observatory ceiling. I reckon I learned more about space and astronomy in that vivid, half-hour experience than I ever did at school, many years ago.
The staff were incredibly pleasant and helpful – like everybody we met in Wellington, actually – and the kidswere happy to hang around for ages, looking at the exhibits and, in Issey’s case, colouring-in with a group ofchildren she’d befriended.
We’d planned to follow up with a wander through the Wellington Botanic Garden, which I remembered well from childhood visits to the city, but rain put paid to that idea. The kids were happy to chill out at the CityLife with Dad while I inspected the capital’s retail establishments, finding the legendary Kirkcaldie and Staines department store most pleasing indeed!
Luckily, the weather held out on oonday as we drove through narrow, hilly streets to the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in Karori. It has a new addition – a fabulous exhibition that covers New Zealand’s evolution over millions of years. William spent ages trying to get the perfect photo of a remarkably life-like moa that moved and made noises, while I learned practically all there is to know about our native birds and insects. At times like these, you really do realise how fragile the eco-system is and the degree of responsibility we all bear in ensuring its preservation.
outside, we took a trail through this remarkable award-winning sanctuary, stopping to identify native birds andcatch a glimpse of the statue-like tuatara that live naturally within the park’s carefully fenced boundaries. Friendly guides filled out the children’s experience, offering heaps of interesting facts, figures and titbits. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the winter sun on my back and looked forward to a nice cup of tea and a scone at the superb eco-friendly café, with its paper plates and disposable wooden cutlery.
our weekend wound up with an authentic Indian meal at a restaurant in Cuba oall and we all agreed that it had been a fun-filled time. Wellington is ideal for family getaways and I expect it won’t be long before we’re back for another instalment with the Beehive, Weta Workshop and the gracious shops at Tinakori Rd still on our to-do list!
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Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
