Stewart Island - A little gem

What can I say about this lovely island that may not have been said before. It really is a Gem, of hidden delights and surprises. The locals are so helpful and friendly, and cannot do enough for you. They really know how to make you feel all warm and fluffy and that you are not a nuisance, they really know how to treat visitors. I think they could teach the people of some countries a thing or two. 

Kereru House - our little home for 5 days 

We were tired after what seemed to be the longest journey in the world, but we were keen to get out and discover the Island, so took a wander around the small village and took in the sights.   There basically was one high street, one pub (part hotel), one shop, in fact you could call it the one-stop Island. It was bliss. 

Although, there were a couple of churches and  this one, we could see from our little house.

I thought it was an up market home at first. I thought, gosh they are a bit posh with their bell tower.

No, this wasn’t the local shop,  just a lovely boat house. 

The Town, (well a small part of it) 

We did have a lovely visitor pop onto the veranda, a cheeky little Kaka, which are quite common in Stewart Island, but sadly is on the endangered list, not on Stewart Island, but elsewhere. 

Gidday mate - got any honey

Jeez I am making hard yakka of this

He would often fly in and just sit there and watch us. One day he flew onto the veranda and walked right up to the door. 

I swear if the door had been opened he would have walked right in, and made himself a drink. 

This one made me chuckle, he started to climb up the pole, or perhaps he was doing a rehearsal for the local pole dancing competition.

On one of our walkabouts we did see the Red-crowned Parakeet (Kakriki).

Now there is a lovely Maori story that tells how the Kaka ended up with a white toupee and the Kakriki with a red one. They say the Kaka originally had a red toupee and would take great joy in keeping it well groomed. The Kakriki was jealous, so one night the cheeky chappie stole it from the Kaka. The Kaka chased the Kakriki to get his red toupee back, but could not catch him.

Today you often see the Kaka still chasing the Kakriki in the forest, but to no avail since he still cannot catch him. 

So that is how the Kakriki became known as the Red-crowned Parakeet and why the Kaka has a white toupee. 

Whoa, that Kakriki is going flat out. Must be being chased by Kaka John who wants his toupee back.

Of course its not really true, but it’s a nice story.