New Forest Widlife Park

It's strange having the luxury of being able to spend time together, we both work such hectic jobs that when we do finally get a day off together we like to do something memorable. Since I was a little'un The New Forest Wildlife Park has been one of my favourite days out so we decided whilst the sun was out to pack a picnic and head on over. The Park is nestled on the edge of the forest, a stones throw from Southampton and is home to a range of wildlife, in lovely spacious enclosures. The New Forest Wildlife Park is home to 4 species of otter; the eurasian (that's our native otter & my favourite), the Asain short claw, Norther American River & the South American giant otter. They also have a pack of wolves, some lynx, 12 species of owl and a wonderful warm and humid butterfly house, which made me feel like I was back in Iguassu (definitely click that link if you love butterflies!). We spent the day wondering around, watching the animals & I took front row seats by the otters and watched them play with stones for most of the afternoon. They've also recently built a huge play area for grownups ,and a little one for toddlers, which we simply couldn't say no too. I also took a brief moment to try my attempt at being a fashion blogger, what do you think?! I'm going with stick to the day job. 

Have you been to The New Forest Wildlife Park before?

What's your favourite animal? 

xox

Iguazu falls

Iguazu falls are a series of over 275 waterfalls spanning a distance of 1.7 miles of the Iguazu river across the borders of Agentina and Brasil. The most famous fall, the devils throat which is accessed from the Argentian side of the falls, is a U shaped waterfall which is 82 metres high, 150m wide and 700m long. The falls have the greatest annual flow of any waterfalls in the world, and are higher and twice as wide as Niagra falls and they have recently won the award of becoming one of the new 7 wonders of nature - just a random thought but can you list correctly any of the 7 wonders? Mum and I have spent ages trying to name the 7 wonders of the ancient world but couldn't complete it without google! 

Anyway we visited the falls on two days from both Brasil and Argentina and because I am still in a state of hypnotic waterfall euphoria I cant sort the pictures in to which is which, although I think the sunset ones are Brasil and the rainbows are Argentina. Stood on the platform over looking devils throat you are almost deafened by the roar of water tumbling and crashing beneath you and you are soaked by the mist of the water rising up the throat. There are multiple trails leading you through the jungle to different, breathtaking, view points of the falls and there are beautiful butterflies fluttering around everywhere ( hence why I left a load of butterfly pictures out of the last post!). There honestly arent enough pictures or words for me to show or describe to you the immense beauty and power of Iguazu.

xo

Rio to Iguassu

I was up at 5:30 to catch the sunrise, I think you'll agree it was more than worth it, especially as I didn't go to bed for ages as I stayed up for hours with the English boys. It was then back in another taxi to another airport for another flight. We touched down in Iguazu late morning and headed straight to the bird park on the Brazilian side of the falls. The park rescue animals from wildlife trafficking and rescue poorly birds who might not be able to survive in the wild. They are constantly improving the facilities for the animals and when we went were building a huge enclosure to move some of the birds in to. Most of the enclosures are walk throughs, apart from during feeding time, which allows you to get really up close and personal. The park also support conservation and education projects teaching local school children not only about birds but also about the importance of the Atlantic rainforest, which they are helping to re plant. They also release the birds which breed in the park back in to the wild.

I was over the moon with the amount of flamingo's and their chicks, they're hands down my favourite birds, as a kid I couldn't quite say flamingo so I called them '' mims '' and it's stuck. I was also head over heels for the large butterfly and hummingbird enclosure, where I sat for hours watching them all flutter around.

It was then back to the beautiful hotel for evening poolside floating and cocktail drinking.

xo