10.2.2018: Adorable Wallabies

Today I am meeting Isa to feed and pet the Wallabies. Only one farm is allowed to keep and breed these animals from the kangaroo family, which are considered pests. So that Isa doesn't have to take the whole day off, I promised to pick her up from the farm at noon. This way, I also get to see one of her two working places, which covers several hectares.

But first, we're going to Naseby, where time seems to stand still. The most adorable are the former and now protected business premises of the clockmaker and shoemaker. One can even find a German cannon in this tiny town and, to the surprise of all visitors, a year-round open curling rink. I have to check it out. There is a large indoor and a small outdoor ice rink, with the former being the largest in the southern hemisphere. I'm lucky that just a handful of people are trying curling for the first time, so I watch the group curling for a while before continuing on my way.

The State Highway 85 leads 80 km through sparse vegetation until it meets the busy coastal highway in Palmerston, where the landscape changes significantly. After 30 km, I turn off to the right from SH 1 and choose a 24 km long bypass road recommended by my faithful travel guide, which runs along the coast and connects Oamaru with Moeraki. The route doesn't offer as many spectacular coastal views as expected, but it's a welcome change considering that I drove the stretch between Oamaru and Moeraki just four days ago. Back on SH 1, I take a short lunch break before leaving the highway once again.

After driving through a clearly agriculture-dominated region for a few kilometers, I reach the farm where Isa works. She comes racing down to the gate on a quad. I quickly wave to the driver on the tractor and off we go. Since Isa knows the area inside out, the GPS takes a break for a while. And as a thank you for the taxi service, I don't even have to pay the entry fee of 15 NZD *yay*.

The elderly lady who runs the farm gives us a very detailed introduction on how to feed the animals, where exactly the food bag should be placed, and how to approach and pet the animals. The area consists of an estimated 12 enclosures, and everywhere there are Wallabies begging behind the fences. Some gates provide information about the residents, for example, whether they are rather shy or especially greedy. One is even blind. Luckily, we can refill our food bags after the enclosure labeled 'The Greedy Ones'. Otherwise, there would be nothing left for the others. It is so adorable to watch the tame Wallabies eat and stroke their fluffy fur. The only time I usually move on is when their food jealousy becomes too great and they start growling at each other and chasing away the weaker ones. But the advantage of being in a pair is that one person can keep the dominant ones busy with food while the other takes care of the shy animals in the background. So almost everyone gets something in the end. I can't remember how long it took us to leave the last enclosure - maybe 1.5 to 2 hours. Time flew by, and we both agree that the outing together is definitely more fun than going alone. A worthwhile investment for young and old.

After dropping Isa back at the farm, it's high time for me to find accommodation. I already have something in mind. Shortly after 5:00 pm, I reach Timaru and become increasingly nervous because of the many 'No Vacancy' signs. However, I find a free bed in the same accommodation as my first trip to New Zealand, in an almost empty hostel. Fortunately, each guest is assigned their own room, so I not only have a choice of free beds but can also spread out to my heart's content. Absolute luxury!