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)