I fed monkeys, what did you do?

So I actually went to the Hamilton Zoo several weeks ago, so I don’t know why I didn’t blog about this before, but alas, c'est la vie.

I love zoos.  If you don’t already know that.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE zoos.  So of course when I was planning on coming to New Zealand, I looked up the zoos that would be in the same area as me.  In my search, I found the Hamilton Zoo, and at the Hamilton Zoo they have this really cool thing called “Face-to-Face” which allows you to feed a particular animal, and go behind the signs that say authorized personnel only.  Really cool.

So I wagged (local term for ditched) school (with permission) and went to the zoo!

I just thought a sign with the title “Who Pooped” was too funny NOT to take a picture of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds seriously cracked me up.  I may or may not have peed my pants laughing.  The one at the chilly bag would NOT give up, and he undid the zipper, and pulled at everything, trying to get those chips out.

I would like to point out there were no animals or exhibits beyond this fence.  It really kind of scares me there may be dangerous animals running wild in some trees

 

This is the nastiest thing I have seen since I have been here. Amy told me what it was called but I don’t remember anymore.

The last sentence. nuff said.

Best. Day. Ever.

Let's just start off by saying, I never in a million years ever thought I would see dolphins in the wild, let alone want to jump into the middle of the Pacific Ocean to swim with them.

And then let me say this post will be ridiculously LONG because I started my day at 4:30 in the morning and didn't get home until 9:00 at night.  Yup. And it's going to be long because it really was the BEST day EVER complete with an assortment of cliché photos.

 

This is the MOST important picture.  Do you know why?  It’s because it’s the first picture I have of the dolphins!!!!! We saw heaps of dolphins everywhere! It was legitimately the COOLEST thing I have ever experienced.  There were baby dolphins, there were massive dolphins, there were medium dolphins, everywhere you looked, there were dolphins!  The skipper said it was the biggest pod he’d seen in a really long time, so SUPER cool!

Right before I jumped into the water to swim with dolphins. (That’s right folks, Tiffany JUMPED into the Pacific Ocean!)

Coming out of the water, trying to rid my mouth of the Saltwater taste.

So you know how I told you there were some cliché pictures? See above for Exhibit A.

Mount Maunganui

I’m including this picture because, if you recall, last time I went to Mount Maunganui there was a torrential rain storm.  This is what happened because of it: a massive land slide.

Can you see my tan? Awesome.

Cliché exhibits B, C, D, E, F, G.

Seriously one of the best days of my life.  I don’t think I have ever been so content and had so much fun in my entire life.  The skipper made fun of me when we first saw the dolphins because I was squealing like a 3 year old in a candy shop.  I am so glad I was able to do this.

Crummy Blogger

I'm sorry I've been such a crummy blogger on my trip.

I really don't have good excuses, just I haven't done it.

What is new with me:

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  Weather here has been cold. Not snow and ice cold, but a lot chillier than anticipated. Thanks mom for making me pack warm clothes.


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  I was considered for a job at the high school I'm student teaching at. We decided that I wouldn't have immigration paperwork done in time for when they wanted me to start working. And there were a few other complications.


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  I have "contracted" a head cold. I never thought I would get a cold in New Zealand, so that's been no bueno.


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  My picture a day lasted for about 2 weeks. Now pictures are only occasionally taken.


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  New Zealand is ridiculously Americanized. I never realized how much influence America has on other countries, but basically, every other cultural background (I teach about 20 nationalities total because of my ESOL, and because of the dynamics of the school and town in general) idolizes America.


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  Everything is still made in China. I laugh a lot. In the states, almost everything is made in China, if you don't believe me, start looking at the packaging. Same in New Zealand.


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  I'm going swimming with the dolphins tomorrow!!!!

Night Glow

The night glow is during the hot air balloon festival and is super cool. They have the hot air balloons set to music and coordinated. It was quite fascinating to watch. I was a little disappointed with our seating, cause we were off to one side and couldn't see a few of the balloons, but I didn't choose our seating, and it was still pretty cool

Sorry my video is hard to hear. I was sitting with a couple of 3 year olds. (if you couldn't tell from listening to it.)