Matiu/Somes Island

Laura and Stef here from the Windy city of Wellington.

Yesterday we decided to travel to the Matiu/Somes Island.  An island located about 15 minutes off the Wellington harbor.  When we first got to the island we were briefed about the history and natural ecosystem of the island.  Placed in to a small shed where we had to remain and were informed of the invasive species and the threat they pose to the natural habitat we were instructed to check our belongings and selves for seeds, dirts, ants, and another foreign objects on our person. 

The history of the island was incredible to learn about.  We discovered that the island was first inhabited by Maori people but was eventually taken over and used as a place of Quarantine from the 1870's-1920.  We had the opportunity to visit a cemetery containing the bodies of some of the people who had lost their lives on the island, mainly due to illness.  A beautiful monument stands in their name.

  In the beginning of the 1880's and for a hundred years, Somes Island served as an animal quarantine station.  One of the most high-tech quarantines of it's time the island inhabited dogs, cattle, sheep, red deer, llama, and other livestock from all over the world.  

The island also had a part during the world wars playing a large role in defense and security.  It was a camp for enemy alien internees who posed a threat.  We were able to sta innd to the five concrete structures that remained.  In 1942 they created gun emplacements but were never actually used. 

Walking around the trails of the island we came across many unique animals and plants native to the island.  Some of these included the red-crowned parakeet, the korora (the world's smallest penguin), the weta (which is similar to a cricket the size of your hand), and 8 species of reptiles found only in New Zealand. One of these reptiles was named the tuatara whose closest relative is a dinosaur. 

Our first day in the Southern Hemisphere was a success!  Dinner at Fisherman's Table and then most were off to bed to get rid of the jet lag. More to come, stay tuned!

**Pics of Somes Island to come but if you want to check out where we were you can go to their website www. doc.govt.nz