10/08/2018 - Stopover in New Plymouth

Back in "New Plymouth", we didn't give up hope for better weather. We booked a campground for several nights and were always ready to go hiking on "Mount Taranaki".

In the past few days, we mainly dedicated ourselves to exploring the city. For example, we strolled along a longer section of the "New Plymouth Coastal Walkway". This pathway is newly paved and a popular spot for many people. We mingled with cyclists, joggers, and dog owners, and crossed a beautifully designed bridge that spans a river.
After returning to the car, we drove it near the city center. We usually aimed for a free parking lot, which was a 20-minute walk from the center. But the short walk along the sea was delightful every day. We observed kite surfers and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing.
Upon arriving in the city center, we visited the New Plymouth Museum along with the library. In the modern "Puke Ariki", we had the opportunity to explore several free exhibitions. While it was mostly raining outside, we expanded our knowledge about dinosaurs and their evolution in the museum. The lifelike, movable replicas of dinosaurs were particularly entertaining. ;) We also learned about New Zealand's national animal and the Maori culture (musical instruments, fashion, tools). However, the most fascinating part of the museum was the one that told the story of the city's undeniable neighbor - Mount Taranaki. Its last eruption occurred over 250 years ago. The probability of a volcanic eruption until the year 2050 is a frightening 70%! We also learned that there were two other volcanoes in the region before Mount Taranaki. But over the years, it has buried them beneath itself.
New Plymouth is the proud owner of the oldest stone church in New Zealand. The "St Marys Church", built in 1846, was closed during our visit. Due to an earthquake, it has been classified as at risk of collapsing. Therefore, we can only imagine what it must look like from the inside.
However, the highlight of our extended stay in this coastal town was a small zoo located in the city park. On the way there, we walked through a beautifully landscaped park with diverse vegetation and curious birds typical of New Zealand. When we arrived at "Brookland Zoo", we were surprised to find out that the visit to the zoo is actually free. We entered and at the beginning, we discovered several butterfly cocoons hanging among the bushes. We had never consciously noticed or admired anything like this before. We found cocoons that were still inhabited and many that had been abandoned and dried up. Amazing! After that, the trail led us past the hoofed animals. Two blooming trees stood in front of their enclosure. Not only did we find the pink blossoms appealing, but also eight "Tuis" were simultaneously searching the flowers for something edible. Together with the bright blue sky, the birds in the flowering tree created a beautiful motif! :) It took us quite a while to tear ourselves away from the sight and their singing. When we finally managed to do so, we entered an aviary. The warning signs about one of the inhabitants could not be overlooked. We gathered our courage and ventured into the open-air enclosure, always keeping an eye on the curious mischief-maker! The small parrot with its green plumage and orange beak didn't take its eyes off us either. ;) But we were able to leave the enclosure unharmed and visit the cute meerkats and playful otters. We watched the otter couple for a good half hour. They remained loyal to each other. One groomed its fur while the other played with its favorite stone and dug for worms, which it duly washed and then ate. ;)
On the way back to the car, we crossed the extensive city park and its beautiful greenhouses.

Yesterday, we moved to a campground outside of "Oakura". After parking the car in a prime beach location, we opened the trunk and enjoyed the stunning panorama. Even if a hotel room advertises an unrestricted sea view, it can hardly compare to this view. ;)
As soon as the sun set, we took advantage of the remaining daylight to watch documentaries about current topics. A documentary about volcanoes and "The Adventures of Captain James Cook" were our evening entertainment.

The weather has significantly improved by now. Only a few clouds cover the blue sky, and even Mount Taranaki was briefly visible! The weather is supposed to get even better tomorrow, and our hope to finally go on another hike on Mount Taranaki grows.