The Time of my Life

Traveling around the South Island was marvelously spectacular! We drove down from Kaiaua by the Firth of Thames, about maybe 7 hours to tip of the North Island and took a 3 hour ferry boat ride across. From there, we journeyed to Kiaoua. For the week we stayed at a Marae studying ecotourism. On the Marae we stayed in the Wharenui, which has a large room covered in colorful carvings telling the story of Maori ancestors. Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. All 25 of us lined the sides of the room with mattresses. It was such an experience to share a room with 25 people! One night I got up to go to the bathroom, when i came back, my eyes could not adjust to the darkness and I accidentally crawled onto Erikka, who was sleeping next to me, instead of my bed! While we were here, we were surprised with the opportuity to go swimming with dolphins! Something that was on my list of things to do before I die. It was so psyched I hardly slept. We awoke at 5am to catch our boat, and arrived to rough seas. This company is unique in that the dolpins are completely wild, so we had to come to them. We drove for a while with no dolphin sighings. Just as we were turning back, there they were! We came up on a pod of about 500! they would do backflips and dip in in out of the water as far as you could see! Finally, the horn blew and at last we splashed into the icy cold water. The dolphins would come out of nowhere through the murky water! They would circile, swim and make eye contact with you! It was so incredible and something I will never forget!

From there we went to south to Christchurch for a night and got up at 7 to catch a bus to CASTLE HILL!!! We met my friend Jessa there and there just so happened to be a bouldering competition going on and tons of people to climb with! we got a ride to a campsite on a river down the road and the next day we went to Flock Hill with some new fiends we made. I loved castle hill! I dont think anything could top it!

(Me on top of a boulder at Flock hill)

For the rest of the week we stayed at an education center just up the road form castle hill and studied alpine vegetation. It was so cold where we stayed. This is Amy, me, Elise, and Steph freezing!

(Me, Erikka, Steph, Codi, Emily G, and Julie after doing a hike in Craigieburn)

After a long week in the cold alpine environment we started to head north again. We got a weeked off in Nelson and I went sky diving! I have dreamed of going since I turned 18 and finally I got to go! we got the plane was so tinny it fit like 6 people. The best part was siting on the edge of the plane's door, feet dangling under the plane and the tumbleing out, watching the plane shrink into the distance! I loved it! but it wasnt as scary as I thought it would be, I think I'll have to try bunggy jumping next ;-)

Brian, Codi, and me before ski diving!

After the jump, we continued up to Takaka to go climbing at Paynes Ford!!! We stayed at the Hangdog campground where all the climbers stay. There was the best swimming hole with a slack line between two boulders and a rope swing! We climbed there for about 4 days and that wasnt even enough.

The adventure to the South Island was over. Back to the North Island for some Directed research fun! I will be researching the effects of marine debris! yay!

Goat Island and Poor Knights Marine Reserves

This Past week we spent exploring the marine life at Goat Island and Poor Knights Marine Reserves. Goat Island was New Zealand's First Marine reserve created in 1975. While we were there, we went snorkeling and did surveys of the different fish and sea urchins in order to compare them to a non protected areas. It was eye opening to compare the similar habitats and witness the difference in biodiversity. It illustrated for me, the realities of our over fishing problem and the need for marine protected areas. We heard from guest speakers such as Bill Balentine and Roger Grace, both of whom have devoted their live to protecting the marine environment. It was inspiring to see their passion for what they do, but also worrisome to see the need for even more protection if we want to maintain these species in the future.

(on the boat to the Poor Knights Island)

From there, we went to the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve, which was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. In order to get there we traveled by boat past talus like islands, as dolphins popped in and out of the water, alternating sides of the boat. the Boat ride took about an hour and the whole time I was hoping to see a whale...but no luck. We ventured inside Rico Rico cave, the largest natural sea cave in the world! The eco inside the caves could be heard for up to 8 seconds! One of the staff members boyfriends is in an irish band and he utilized the beautiful acoustics of the cave, by playing an incredible performance for us using his bongo drub and voice.

(The view form inside Rico Rico cave)

From there, we traveled to Blue MauMau arch, where the there were schools of blue Maumau fish seeking shelter from harsh surf, under the arch. While snorkeling along the surface, I looked down to see a wall of fish that was so dense you could not see the sandy bottom. As I dove downward, I was engulfed by the school of Blue Maumau! I swim alongside the fish as long as I could hold your breath. It was definitely something I will never forget!

we also got to hear from Wade Doak, who played a huge role in the development of scuba diving as well as establishment of marine reserves.

To see some of his photography check out his web site! you can see all the fish from the Poor Knights!

http://www.aotea.co.nz/NZ_Art/wade/photography.html

(Elise and I rocking the snorkel gear)

The most Secret Valley Ever!

This past week was probabaly my favorite week here so far! It started with a one day break. Katie, Althea, Steph and I all decided to make the 2 hour treck to the best local climbing destination! so Friday night we packed up the rental car and I drove as all to Wherapapa. Driving on the left side of the road took some getting use to...and we got a bit lost along the way and I somehow smiled my way out of a speeding ticket. BUT Finally, we made it! pitched the tent it the pitch blackness and went to sleep.

In the morning, we awoke super early to try to find a climbing area called secret valley. The guide book told us it was on private property and that you needed to as either ask guru at the first house or joe at the second house. The first house looked less intimidating, so katie and I made our way to the front door and gave it 3 good knocks. no answer. so we tried agian...this time we were answered with some hacking coughs that sounded like the poor old man was going to die. still no answer so we turned to go and he saw us through the open window and came out. apparently his hearing wasn't so good! he hobbles to the front door and says "what did I do to deserve 2 lovely american girls first thing in the morning?" haha he was delighted to talk to us, but had no idea what in the world secret valley was. With a loud whistle guru calls joe over from across the field and joe zips over on his motor bike. Joe was Guru's son and told us he would show us the way to secret valley! yes finally! so we follow joe on his little dirt bike with his pack of dogs chasing happily behind him, along this dirt road. The rental car was so low and kept bottoming out every 10 seconds....I was starting to think we would never make it. after crossing two more fields and going through 3 fences he finally stops. We made it! wait... now we are in the middle of now where and the crazy morning starts to sink in. we have a good laugh and then decide to explore the valley.

(this is us completely lost with secret valley in the background)

so we waunder....and wander and there was not a bolt in sight. so after all that we leave with some hope of finding some climbing. Luckily we did!

(Althea did her first lead climb!!!)

(and katie did her first climb outside!)

so we booked it back to EcoQuest aka "the quest" with enough time to pack up for the next week at Goat Island Marine reserve! so stay tuned, that will be up soon I hope! O wait and I forgot that while we were climbing there were cows mating all around us. It was quite the day.

before I go to bed, dad and adam I took this picture just for you! poor fish.

Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach

This Past week I spent at the Wharakawa Estuary studing various vegetation communities. There was an incredible beach, just a 10 minute walk from the hostel where we stayed with gigantic waves and water so clear that you could see straight down to your feet.

The room I stayed in had 12 beds! it was so cool! Auntie Wendy this picture is just or you! ;-)



On the first day, we went on a hike up to the top of a Pa site, which is a large hill used as a fort for native people. It had terraces cut into the side, giving it a step like appearance. The trail was scattered with shells, which were remnants from the shell fish that were brought to the top to eat where they were protected form enemies.

Next, we did Kayak training and practiced flipping/rescuing. To get back into the kayak someone pulls your boat onto their own in order to get the water out. next, they steady it so you can scramble on from the back of the kayak. It was hysterical watching people flop their way back onto the kayak like seals.

while we were there, we went for an evening kayak to get a closer look at the vegetation communities. The sunsets were amazing!



A 4 ft long eel swam under my kayak, and we saw sting rays as big as large pizzas!

I gave 2 oral presentations this week!! One on the Ruru (a kind of owl) and the other on mangroves. I was really nervous, but they both went really well!

after a long week, a group of 17 of us went onto explore some of the beaches here on the north Island! First we went to hot water beach, where you can dig maybe 6 inches and you will find natural hot springs! it was insane. We laid in the steaming pool gazing up into the stars until the wee hours of the night!

Then we went to cathedral cove, which was the most beautiful beach I have ever been to! This picture is taken from underneath a large sweaping rock archway. We spent the day jumping off rocks and exploring caves along the waters edge.

climbing at last!

This weekend was bound to be an adventure! Emily, steve and I decided to go on a climbing trip this weekend to Wharepapa. so the journey started out with the sweetest rental car...haha


so luckily I didn't drive because driving standard is one thing...but driving standard on the left side of the road probabaly would not have ended very well hehe. so we had directions but go lost quite a bit, we learned very quickly that streets are not labeled the best here in New Zealand. so we drove the 2 hours to Wharepapa and got there around 10 pm. we planed to stay at Bryce's a climbing shop that is run by climbers for climbers. sooo the camping is in back of this school house and here was no one capming there... we wandered around and all of the sudden I looked up and saw glowing eyes starting through the darkness! at first then I heard a familiar sound "moooo". it was a field of cows with glowing mutant eyes floating in the pitch blackness. so freaky.

so we set up the tent, passed out and woke up really early to start our climbing adventure! we drove up a long winding dirt road and saw rocks every where amongst the lush green field! the climbing had lots of little pockets!!! it was awesome and absolutely beautiful!





after climbing, We drove to Rotorua and visited Kiwi encountors, a sancutary for breeding an raising kiwi. kiwi have become indangered due to the increase in mamalian predators when the european settlers arrived in the 1800s. They lay the largest egg in proportion to their body size and have terrible eye sight, but a keen sense of smell! they stick their long beak in the dirt and you can hear them snorting in order to get the dirt out of their nostrils.



so we alternate kitchen duty and about once a week I have to prepare means and wash dishes!


look i can cook :-)

Next week I am going to the coromandal penninsula to study estuaries so I will be back monday

Maori

The climbing wall is so sick....haha it will do i suppose.



a panoramic view of campus where I live. The big white building in the center is the bathroom/laundry/showers. Off to the left, the little blue buildings are dorms and so are the ones to the right. The garden in the front is where we grow most of our veggies!!! you cant see it, but on the left of the drive way is our classroom/eating area.


so most recently, we got the opportunity to observe a Marae Funeral. A Marae is a meeting place for the native people of New Zealand, or Maori. Before entering a Marae you must first be welcomed through a ceremony where songs are exchanged between the two groups (Maori and new comers). Our group of students learned a song called Te aroha which goes alittle something like this:


Te aroha
Te whakapono
Me te rangimarie
Tatou tatou e

Translates as..
Love,
Faith,
And peace
Be amongst us all

after we were formally greeted, we shared a meal together in the Wharekai (wh is pronounced as the "f" sound) (dining hall). We also were given a tour of the carvings on the wharenui, which is the building where the the ceremony was held.We were not allowed to take pictures, but the carvings were incredible and tell stories of past ancestors. The Maori believe that when you enter the wharenui you bring all of your ancestors and people who have supported you with you.

Being able to observe the funeral practices of the Maori was such a unique experience! The man who passed had not been living on the Marae, but wished to return to his homeland when he died. The family stays in the wharenui with the person until the burial, because they believe the person is still present even though their body is no longer functioning.

This weekend I'm planning my frist climbing trip to wharepapa!!!! I can't wait :-)

chasing rainbows

View from the summit!







Today we went for at 13k hike across Hunan Mountain Range.The summit was at about 860 meters and it was an amazing view! We had a 7 am start, and finished around 4 pm. Afterwards, exhausted, we decided to rest our tired feet with a quick swim! The beach were we live is incredibly rocky, but the one at the end of the hike felt like bath water and had silky smooth sand... well, after you made it past the 20 ft of barnacle covered rocks (which I cut my foot on, not much of a surprise there though). When we got back there was a gorgeous rain bow arching over campus with the sun setting on the opposite side!!! It was a an incrible day! we identified tons of pant species, and observed multiple changed in forest composition, and heard the call of an endangered bird!



like our safety get up?

Erikka, steph, elise and I decided to go on a nice bike ride after classes, but we are required to wear reflective vests and helmets. It was sweet! Also the bikes are fixed gear bikes, so the little bit of off-roading we did didn't go so well...