Ra tohu (day 3)

And so we set out to find our way to the westcoast, that was easier said than done... I do know how to read a map, but the kiwi's just are not very skilled in placing roadsigns :) no honestly, they place the roadsigns directly opposite from the exit, so when you see the sign...you're too late!

However, we would be passing Otorohanga where they have a kiwi house (one of many in New Zealand). But this one was supposed to be different, since Kiwi's sleep during the day and are only awake 4 hours every night it is pretty difficult to find them. Even in a kiwi house. But this one turned around their day-and night rythm, so they would be awake...

I know you're thinking we would have had bad luck...but no, not this time! The Kiwi's were awake! 2 of them were walking around their "crib" in search of some yummie worms..
It was so cool to see them, they look very funny, bent over, with their strong hind legs supporting them, it's head always near the ground and sniffing around with its nose. Yes sniffing, Kiwi's have their nostrils on the tip of their beak.

Both of the kiwi's were male and they are smaller than the female. They were so cute! One of them was hungry so he was sniffing around all the time and trying to pull out a worm or sth. The other one was tired I guess for it turned its head against the wall, leaned against it (so we could only see his ass) and fell asleep or sth. He didn't move anymore! He stood there for at least 10 minutes! (yes and we stood there for over 10 minutes)

After that it was time to move on, we needed a place to sleep. But then we took the wrong direction, I thought we were supposed to go to Hamilton, but it turned out there were to roads leading there. And one of the exits we had already passed unnoticed.

We thought we might pass another exit towards the coast, but nooooo...
So we came to Hamilton, big city, crowded, many cars...not for us. We just kept driving, until we saw an exit to Ngaruawahia.
We were tired and it was getting late, we just drove to the edge of the town and in front of a park we parked the van. Good place for cooking and sleeping....

to be continued...:)