You know what – I love my kids more than anything in the world – but sometimes they’re a-holes. Sometimes they’re hard work and sometimes ya wonder if you could make money from selling them … jokes. But Over the last 3 days we’ve had the absolute pleasure of meeting a really cool couple and their four adorable kids who were staying next door for a few days and to be fair we have the girls to thank for that! I love it when you meet people and you get that feeling that you’ve actually made friends for life! I hope that we will maintain this new friendship – the kids adore their kids and we think they are all pretty cool too.
We visited the Leigh Reptile Park today with our new friends and I have to wonder how on earth such a place keeps going. It’s one of those places where you just can’t help feeling deflated for the owners as underneath the slightly shambolock running and unkept grounds there are some incredible creatures that I would highly recommend you go see if you’re in the area… maybe if the reception was welcoming and tidy, the grounds were better kept, the stench in some of the displays a tad less and some signage and/or a map of the grounds I’d go as far to say make a special trip to visit! We saw 2 Alligators, a monkey, loads of lizards and turtles – it was quite something. To the lady on reception – I really hope your day gets better, cause with the lemon bitter “greeting” we received is enough to put even the hardest nosed person off! The reception apparently sells bottles of water… but that is if you can find anyone in reception.. or in the park at all that might work there. Other than that – there’s no food or drink available for purchase despite picnic tables dotted around the grounds – maybe something they could think about along with the other things I’ve suggested to make this place truly incredible?! That said – the kids didn’t notice these things, and had huge “wow” faces at every enclosure – it was a great day out all in all
We called in at the Matakana Country Park for a play and something to eat on our way home… low and behold the Stables wasn’t open… again. Maybe the restaurant “The Stables” and the actual stables are run on same schedule as I’m yet to have ever found either open?? Forced to eat at the little café there I was again disappointed when 5 ladies stood gossiping while I waited patiently (ok not really feeling so patient at all) at the counter to pay for our drinks. I have to say it today – WTF happened to customer service? Actually WTF happened to just being polite? Acknowledging your clients (aka your paycheck!). Pick your game up guys, it was pretty shit service.
Please remember the above are all only my opinion and don’t let it put you off going to these fabulous places to see for yourself – I trust that the Leigh Reptile Park Lady had just had an awful day and she’s not always so rude, and that the staff at the café were in the middle of a team meeting to improve their service! My favorite comment today was from Alexa “mumma you know that alligator is just playing dead right? It’s trying to trick you into going closer and then it’ll snap you up and eat you!” . Such a clever cookie
Another awesome few days, good wine good food and great company – lets do it again soon aye xx
Fab photos. Another adventure day ticked off. Im 🐢🐢🐢🦎 with envy
Thanks – despite the negativity from me it was a fabulous day!