tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12872733008123886112024-03-12T18:56:21.653-07:00The Adventures of Two Bumbling Bloc HeadsFollow two rock climbing dorks connected at the hip as they travel around and continue to embarrass themselves through silly stories, photos and videos in an effort to stray outside their comfort zones. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-56605109425863657202016-11-06T17:05:00.000-08:002016-11-06T17:05:18.381-08:00First Nations and the Future<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout my experience in EDUC 530 I have learnt many valuable lessons about First Nations Metis and Inuit culture that I will carry with me as a teacher. I came to a better understanding of my own biased values and worldview. In contrast to Aboriginal value systems, one can summarize the value systems of Western Europeans as being linear and singular, static, and objective. The Western European concept of time is a good example of linearity. (jagged world wk2). Whereas aboriginal values are a realm of where “All things are animate, imbued with spirit, and inconstant motion. In this realm of energy and spirit, interrelationships between all entities are of paramount importance space is a more important referent than time.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This has changed my perspective of how first nations people see the world. For all Canadians to move forward as one it’s vital to acknowledge the atrocities of the past, moving beyond cultural appropriation and developing a grassroots sense of appreciation for cultural diversity. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1876, the government of Canada combined the Gradual Civilization Act and the Indian Enfranchisement Act into a single piece of legislation. The Indian Act, though amended over the years in important ways, remains a central fact of life for First Nations people in Canada. “The Act reinforced the powers of Canada’s government over First Nations and extended those powers in significant ways. It regulated virtually every aspect of the lives of First Nations people in an effort to promote assimilation. The Indian Act continued to disrupt traditional forms of government. It added new regulations about who qualified as members of a band, which determined who could vote in band elections. The Indian Act had a negative impact on the roles of women and Elders in traditional First Nations. Many traditional government practices held women and men as equal participants, and Elders as respected advisors and leaders. After the Indian Act, women and Elders were effectively removed from all official processes of government. The government policy of assimilation led to the restriction of many activities that First Nations people practised in order to transmit their cultures. The Indian Act’s most significant legacy was to rule and restrict the lives of First Nations people, even though its stated intent was to protect the rights and privileges of the first peoples of Canada” (Wk8) Residential schools were established to assimilate First Nations and Inuit children into the dominant English-speaking, Christian culture. Many of the values and morals of this culture were in conflict with traditional Aboriginal values and customs. Residential schools were put in place in the 1860s. In 1920, Canada amended the Indian Act, making it mandatory for First Nations and Inuit parents to send their children to Indian residential schools. The last residential school in Alberta closed in 1988. The last federally operated residential school in Canada closed in Saskatchewan in 1996. Five to six generations of First Nations and Inuit peoples were subjected to the residential school system. Children as young as four were removed from their families and taken to spend the majority of the year in institutions, often far away from their homes. Children were forbidden to speak their language and unable to follow their traditional customs. As a result, they often became ashamed of their language, culture and family. Some parents were forbidden to visit their children and did not see them for several years at a time. Limited funds meant overcrowding and unhealthy living conditions, and children were exposed to diseases such as tuberculosis. Deputy Superintendent Duncan Campbell Scott estimated that overall “fifty percent of the children who passed through these schools did not live to benefit from the education which they had received therein” (1913, p. 615). (wk8)The structural violence of the indian act and heinous acts of Indian Residential Schools need to be acknowledged by all Canadians for true reconciliation to occur. To not acknowledge these important factors that have plagued our first nations people and have carved out an unwilling path. The indian act and residential schools have created huge waves and the ripples will be felt for generations to come. As Canadian’s we need to become aware of the frank reality of these institutional, physical, sexual and psychological acts of injustice that way we can stand with our First Nations people to work to create a shared vision of the future in which we can all have unbridled opportunity to thrive . </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the first portion of the class we talked about when does appreciation crosses the line to appropriation. Although this seems to be a very easy thing to determine at times it’s more complex. Cultural appropriation is generally when the dominant culture takes intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions or artifacts without their permission. This was seen with the resource that I had chosen with my partner for my resource evaluation. The book that we had chosen was “ The Legend of Blue Jacket”. This book was a great example of appropriation due to the fact that it was largely focused on a white person who is adopted by an American First Nations tribe and became the most successful war chief the tribe had ever known. With a little bit of research it is largely supported by historians that the famous war Chief Blue Jacket was not a white American. The author unwilling took the tale of Blue Jacket and introjected a white character to likely appeal to the racist sensibilities of a white audience American audience for monetary gain. As a result the culture of the first nations people is trivialized and used as a vehicle to propagate the idea that white people are superior. However, appropriation isn’t always quite so easy to identify and classify. There are many instances where people use different cultural influences that can be open to subjective interpretation to whether or no they are committing an act of cultural appropriation. Even in certain circumstances where acts are vetted by an authority figure within a cultural group it can still be interpreted as appropriation instead of tasteful cultural appreciation. This is also exacerbated by how social justice is a very much on the radar of the masses. It’s in my opinion western society has been historically very oblivious, callous, racist and bigoted regarding the impact of cultural appropriation and recently there has been a reactionary realization that has caused many people to steer clear of any use of any other cultural values, artifacts or knowledge. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within my first field experience I saw this reactionary approach in the elementary school i visited for a week. The school had adopted a policy that made it completely unacceptable to celebrate or even acknowledge any cultural holidays, celebrations or traditions in fear of excluding others, misrepresenting a culture, assimilating others or appropriating culture. I understand this precautionary approach, however I feel it is in many ways it can be counterproductive to learning to appreciate each other's difference and learning to live in harmony. I had a personal experience with this same circumstance. I was visiting Tofino, British Columbia and there was a store selling items designed by the local </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> first nations people. There was an insulated mug with a beautiful grey whale design at a First Nations owned and operated art gallery I found incredibly striking, and had a personal connection with as I had just gone on a whale watching tour where we had seen a grey whale. I thought to myself though, “is this cultural appropriation?” “am I exploiting intellectual property?”, “am I trivializing a culture?” and as a result of this internal turmoil I too adopted a precautionary approach and didn’t make the purchase in spite of my honest and well intentioned appreciation of the art. A hypersensitive precautionary approach is somehow a very Canadian means of interacting with another culture. Canada’s cultural mosaic causes Canadians regardless of their cultural affiliation to be very timid, cautious and at times awkward when it comes to interacting or experiences other cultural practices. I see various advantages and disadvantages to this, but my hope for the future is that we as Canadians can carve out socially acceptable avenues for genuine cultural appreciation to take place. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I spent a year abroad in New Zealand I temporarily worked at a holiday park located in the center of the North Island near Tongariro National Park. A holiday park is kind of a mix between a campground and a motel. Here I cleaned the showers, toilets and rooms in exchange for a free place to live as I looked for a job. While I was working here a school group of grade 6 students made the trip out and were staying at the holiday park as they were skiing at the nearby ski hill. After they had stayed for two nights they expressed their thanks by performing a Haka.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The dance was used to honour our work and it was a stunning example of cultural appreciation. Of the approximately 40 students and 10 supervising parents and staff only 5-10 students appeared to be of Maori descent but they were all incredibly engaged while performing the Haka. Through the performance I gained an understanding that everyone understood and appreciated the value and importance of Maori culture within the greater modern New Zealand culture. On top of this, the performance exuded a powerful and authentic sense of pride and honor to the Maori people and themselves. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Featured in this video is a spine tingling Haka Performed by the students of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Palmerston North Boys’ High School for at their beloveded PE and Math Teacher Mr.Dawson’s funeral service</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.)
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M6Qtc_zlGhc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M6Qtc_zlGhc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Qtc_zlGhc" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe that Canadian First Nations people and the Canadian majority need to work with each other to understand one another on a level that is beyond a civil tolerance of one another. Canada could really stand to learn from New Zealand's relationship with their indigenous Maori peoples. This isn’t to say that things between New Zealand's Government and the Maori peoples are perfect but there has been a lot of progress that has benefitted their nation as a whole. The Maori have much like Canadian aboriginal populations have struggled with treaty rights, racism, abuse, assimilation land claim issues, cultural appropriation and most importantly mistrust towards one another.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Canada there is a long history of mistrust, treaty issues, cultural turmoil but there is also a prevalent element of patronization towards indigenous peoples that needs to stop.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xCpn1erz1y8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xCpn1erz1y8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In 2008 our Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an apology for residential schools. In Stephen’s apology you can sense of half hearted patronizating feeling in concert with Stephen’s crocodile tears. in my intrerpritation this was initially used as a political tool to disassociated from the responsibility and to make amends to a certain degree. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite this poorly executed apology a lot of positivity has developed as a result. The Truth and Reconciliation commission that came as a response of this apology was a call to action to help make amends to tragedies associate with the residential schools in Canada, but was concluded in December 2015. The TRC’s mission was then passed onto the University of Winnipeg to become the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The mandate of the TRC is </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to put the events of the past behind us so that we can work towards a stronger and healthier future.” Although I believe this is an important step in the right direction what I feel is lacking within the Canadian cultural landscape is a grassroots bottom up, authentic sense of reconciliation. In conversations with some of my well educated friends about the residential schools they expressed that they had no idea what residential schools were and what they had done to first nations peoples. There needs to be more advocacy and activism from the people of Canada not just from an top down institutional level. A problem with top down institutional changes is that they despite their good intentions, they come off at clinical, white washed, insincere attempts to make vague connections. When individuals stand together and speak from the heart about the harsh realities of our past that is when we can discover an authentic pathway to grow together. In addition to this I think we need to follow the recommendations as mentioned in Robin DiAngelo and Özlem Sensoy article on Radical Pedagogy when working on grassroots progress : </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“1.Strive for intellectual humility. </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2.Recognize the difference between opinions and informed knowledge. </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3.Let go of personal anecdotal evidence and look at broader societal patterns. </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4.Notice your own defensive reactions and attempt to use these reactions as entry points for gaining deeper self knowledge. </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5.Recognize how your own social positionality (such as your race, class, gender, sexuality, ability status) informs your perspectives and reactions to your instructor and those whose work you study in the course.”</span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following this approach will allow for grounded conversations that inform sensible dialog about sensitive and controversial topics that can be loaded with emotion. As a future teacher I feel honored and privileged to have a position in which I can engage students in a dialogue that will promote the unification and progression of social justice of all Canadians. I felt that Alberta Educations recommendations for aboriginal students are not only valid for aboroginal students but for all students. </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aboriginal student learning is enhanced by a safe, comfortable classroom environment—a community of learners. Aboriginal students do their best work when they experience: • a sense of belonging as respected and valued students • the spirit of mastery that comes through encouragement of their gifts and competencies • independence developed by opportunities to develop inner control and responsibility • the spirit of generosity that reflects core values of sharing and community responsibility (Brendtro, Brokenleg and Van Bockern 1990).” (wk8 our words.) </span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking to the future of Canadian cultural equity and equality I’m very optimistic. Looking at the leadership that Canadians are electing is reflective of the values that we as Canadian’s want represented. As a Calgarian we have a Muslim Mayor, a female Premier and a Prime Minister who is a self proclaimed feminist. We also live in a time where social media and technology act as an incredible catalyst for social reform and change. Even if we reflect on the past fifteen years women’s rights and roles have changed, LGBTQ populations have become much more liberated and diversity is becoming a point of interest and celebration rather than division. This is why I think Canadian First Nations populations will be the focal point of pride in the future, because people are becoming more and more aware of how important and incredibly powerful their culture and voice is in relation to Canada as a whole. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #f4f4f3; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-image: url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eAEmjW9J3_o/0.jpg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eAEmjW9J3_o/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eAEmjW9J3_o?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">(Featured in this video clip is a band called "A Tribe Called Red" which is a Canadian music group who has received a lot of attention for their powerful fusion of musical genres. I believe it's a sound that embodies the Canadian spirit moving forward. )</span></span><br /><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></div>
Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-73694391941288010732016-01-28T21:37:00.003-08:002016-01-28T21:56:59.342-08:00Why teach physical education? <div class="p1">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Ultimately what value is there in physical activity and why should we teach it in schools? <br /><br /><br /><u>Physical Health </u><br /><br /> It is commonly acknowledged and supported by a large body of research the claims that physical activity reduces the prevalence of a variety of different chronic diseases. This includes some of the most common diseases responsible for premature death, such as heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and more</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(PHAC 2016)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Through regular physical activity we have the ability to reduce the chances of developing these preventable diseases. Physical activity for the purposes of disease prevention and longevity are meaningful enough reasons alone to engage in physical activity and to teach these benefits to future generations.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7XY8yFpQcs/VqqHojkoQuI/AAAAAAAAC1s/MeKozEZ7NH8/s1600/LTAD_FMS.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7XY8yFpQcs/VqqHojkoQuI/AAAAAAAAC1s/MeKozEZ7NH8/s400/LTAD_FMS.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An example of how fundamental movement skills impact opportunities to become active further in life (http://www.phecanada.ca/programs/physical-literacy/what-physical-literacy/fundamental-movement-skills) </span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />In addition to the health benefits of physical activity, physical activity also improves your ability to carry out daily tasks and activities. It is in my belief that all children should be what is known as physically literate. Physical literacy is comprised of having a competent skill set of what are known </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1">as fundamental movement skills. </span>These fundamental movement skills include running, throwing, catching, jumping, striking, kicking, agility, balance and coordination. Teachers have an opportunity to teach these skills through various activities and sports that will then shape the way in which children will interact with the world for the entirety of their lifespan. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mental Health</span></u></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1">
In addition to the physical benefits to physical activity there are a host or reasons to why physical activity is an important aspect of mental health. According to a study physical activity</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.9988px;">, including jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing, have been proved to reduce anxiety and depression.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.9988px;"> These improvements are proposed to be caused by exercise-induced increase in blood circulation to the brain and by an influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and, thus, on the physiologic reactivity to stress.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.1516px;">(</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 16.9px;">Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. 2006)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 16.9px;">.</span> There has also been some evidence to suggest that physical activity can allow people to better cope with distractions, and improve self-efficacy, mental alertness and enhance social interactions. If we want our children to have health bodies and healthy minds that can live up to their potential physical education needs to be a priority not an option.</span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7cKMLY1Vjs/VqqIIEiQzXI/AAAAAAAAC14/B1nzBbw6RJ4/s1600/6880366_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7cKMLY1Vjs/VqqIIEiQzXI/AAAAAAAAC14/B1nzBbw6RJ4/s400/6880366_orig.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(http://www.newmansu.org/mental-health-awareness-week.html) </span><br /><br />
<br /><u>Social Literacy and Character Building </u><br />Beyond the Mental and Physical benefits there are a host of social and culture benefits that are passed onto children through teaching physical education. Physical education places children in an environments where they develop their social skills and character through facing challenges and adversity. This can span learning how to communicate effectively, building meaningful relationships, developing real world problem solving skills and being able to think strategically (both on a team and individual level). Physical activity also provides a safe environment to learn how to cope and manage emotions spanning the spectrum of absolute elation to misery. Physical activity requires that the participants take some form of action to achieve a particular goal. I think that working towards either a directed or self directed goal fosters the development of sound work ethics, self confidence and entrepreneurial spirit.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMICLwy1pGY/VqqIwnPlD8I/AAAAAAAAC2E/8D9Wj0R8gsA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMICLwy1pGY/VqqIwnPlD8I/AAAAAAAAC2E/8D9Wj0R8gsA/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(https://storify.com/afterschoolAE/40-awesome-resources-how-team-sports-benefits)</span><br />
<br /><u>Community Engagement and Unity</u><br /><br />Physical Activity has the power to build community and minimize the persevered differences that have been socially constructed. Sharing the common goal within a specific activity acts as a social glue that creates meaningful bonds. This can be seen in almost any physical activity whether that be an individual activity like running to a worlds most popular sport, soccer. Physical activity is a commonality that all people can all share and empathize with. As an example in 2012 the London Summer Olympics were viewed by over 4 billion people over the span of 17 days, and 205 different countries came together to peacefully participate in the games. There is a popular anonymous quote that goes to say "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation"</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjMxeSayCl0/VqqI_1ssskI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/W6OCXFUJQKI/s1600/2012_Olympics_opening_ceremony_fireworks_1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjMxeSayCl0/VqqI_1ssskI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/W6OCXFUJQKI/s400/2012_Olympics_opening_ceremony_fireworks_1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Summer_Olympics#/media/File:2012_Olympics_opening_ceremony_fireworks_1.jpg)</span><br /><br /><u>Personal Achievement and Enjoyment</u><br /><br />One big reason why everyone should be physically active is because it can be very rewarding and fun. People spend huge amounts of time and money on various physical activities merely for the enjoyment of part taking in these activities. Sir Edmund Hillary was famously asked "Why did you climb Everest?" and his answer was "because it's there". I feel that this explanation speaks to the justification to why anyone should do any physical activity. Why should anyone run in circles on a track? Why should someone should swim in lanes at a swimming pool? Why should someone ski down hills only to do it again and again? The simple act of challenging the body and mind provides enough of an inherit reward to justify the means. This is something that is very subjective but in many ways is the root to why physical activity, sports and athletics can be seen in all cultures throughout the world. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co8TrZNew1c/VqqJQ2CEWvI/AAAAAAAAC2c/BhZAU5niqfA/s1600/Hillary-and-Norgay1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co8TrZNew1c/VqqJQ2CEWvI/AAAAAAAAC2c/BhZAU5niqfA/s400/Hillary-and-Norgay1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/smithsonian-institution/sixty-years-ago-edmund-hillary-reached-the-top-of-the-world-hear-him-describe-it-76861267/)</span><br /><br /><u>Academic Success</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1">Various studies have looked at the relationship between physical activity and academic success. One study found that "girls obtained a small benefit
from having the highest level (70–300 minutes
per week) of exposure to physical education
(vs the referent), but no association was observed
among boys. (Coe,D., Pivarnik.C., Womack,M., Reeves.M., Mailina.R. 2006). According to another study </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6px;">"We found strong evidence of a significant positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance," the authors wrote. "The findings of one high-quality intervention study and one high-quality observational study suggest that being more physically active is positively related to improved academic performance in children."</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.6px;">According to the authors, this link could be caused by many factors: increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain, boosts in hormones such as norepinephrine and endorphins which help improve mood, and "increased growth factors that help create new nerve cells and support synaptic plasticity,"</span>( Health Science Winter 2012) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><u>Conclusion</u><br /><br />As noted by Alberta Education Program of Studies " Physical activity is vital to all aspects of normal
growth and development, and the benefits are
widely recognized. Students do not develop
automatically the requisite knowledge, skills and
attitudes that lead to active, healthy lifestyles.
Such learning should begin in childhood. " It is for this reason that I think we as a society shouldn't be asking the question"Why do we teach physical eduction?", we should be asking "How can we engage more students in physical education?"<br /><br /><br /><u>References </u></span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 12.87px; line-height: 19.305px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alberta Education Programs of Study, Physical Education. (2000) </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coe,D., Pivarnik.C., Womack,M., Reeves.M., Mailina.R.. (2006) Effect of Physical Education and Activity Levels on Academic Achievement in Children. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 8, pp. 1515–1519, 2006. http://ovidsp.ovid.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&N EWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&AN=00005768-200608000-00022&D=ovft&PDF=y</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2016, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/index-eng.php</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for Mental Health.Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 8(2), 106.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strong evidence of link between physical activity and academic success. (2012, Winter). Health Science, 35(1), 7. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA284483507&sid=summon&v=2.1&u=ucalgary&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=32effce979d7565dce5d05bbb395a556</span></span></div>
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #333333; font-size: 12.87px; line-height: 19.305px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-9700005635527984242015-07-23T21:42:00.001-07:002015-07-23T21:52:15.634-07:00Go Big or Go Home: We did both!Note: I wrote most of this when we got back to Canada in May 2014 but obviously didn't get around to posting it until now!<br />
<br />
Our last three weeks in New Zealand were a whirlwind of driving, hiking and exploring the South Island of New Zealand. While we stopped in many places, these are the three major things we did. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Routeburn Track is on of the nine Great Walks in New Zealand. We hiked the 32 km over three days. Because it's a Great Walk, it is well serviced with huts along the way. The huts included bunk beds, a nice cooking shelter (and by shelter I mean building), flushing toilets and running water. We also learned that if you were on a guided hike, you and your group stayed in your own specially built huts. They had beds, duvets, sheets, hot showers and freshly cooked meals onsite. The food for the group was also helicoptered in regularly so that it was fresh. So basically, you got to do the whole thing with a change of clothes and water on your back (your guide carried your snacks). Pretty luxurious! We chose neither of those two options and camped. We also learned a very valuable lesson on this trip. Make sure you pack enough food. We had enough meals, but somehow managed to bring two granola bars between the two of us for snacks. Needless to say, we were both pretty hangry throughout the trip, but still really enjoyed ourselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17HnHAAXjj8/U2aaURYlx_I/AAAAAAAAHa0/eA4UsGIWJws/s1600/IMGP3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17HnHAAXjj8/U2aaURYlx_I/AAAAAAAAHa0/eA4UsGIWJws/s1600/IMGP3185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Routeburn Track</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fN2erD1mh_U/U2aadCBRMpI/AAAAAAAAHbY/X6xtL6AQXKo/s1600/IMGP3197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fN2erD1mh_U/U2aadCBRMpI/AAAAAAAAHbY/X6xtL6AQXKo/s1600/IMGP3197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Reaching the high point of the Routeburn Track. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJzeisL5qlc/U2aae1dHH4I/AAAAAAAAHbs/O4YTdBSNKOA/s1600/IMGP3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJzeisL5qlc/U2aae1dHH4I/AAAAAAAAHbs/O4YTdBSNKOA/s1600/IMGP3202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Descending onto the other side, the landscape changed dramatically. Definitely got the feeling we were on our way through Rohan. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our second night camping, we were treated to a visit from the world's only alpine parrot. He woke us up by attacking our tent, and trying to steal bits and pieces of it and our shoes! We had to store everything inside the tent and managed to chase him off, but just barely. He also decided to grace us with his presence at the crack of dawn the next morning by doing the same thing. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_8eBE-CgMo/U2abB4wx_iI/AAAAAAAAHd4/x-QTWKW9OQ8/s1600/IMGP3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_8eBE-CgMo/U2abB4wx_iI/AAAAAAAAHd4/x-QTWKW9OQ8/s1600/IMGP3071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Milford Sound. Very famous natural landscape of New Zealand. For something so famous, it was surprisingly undeveloped in terms of accommodation and food. If you decide to stay here, I recommend booking WAY in advance and bringing as much food as you can. Internet here was the most expensive we'd seen in New Zealand. $50 for 500 megabytes of data. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcWI2gzipEo/U2abbQpSGHI/AAAAAAAAHhI/y_n46Vl4iQQ/s1600/IMGP3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcWI2gzipEo/U2abbQpSGHI/AAAAAAAAHhI/y_n46Vl4iQQ/s1600/IMGP3091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After getting on a giant ship and cruising through the sound, we decided to do a kayaking tour. We are all geared up and ready to go!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFJEfMz-dl8/U2abcM1eq8I/AAAAAAAAHgc/MeKN10i1g7o/s1600/IMGP3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFJEfMz-dl8/U2abcM1eq8I/AAAAAAAAHgc/MeKN10i1g7o/s1600/IMGP3092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is by far the best way to appreciate the tall cliffs and open waters of Milford Sound. It really gave you a sense of scale and you didn't have to fight anyone for a nice view. We were even graced with a pod of dolphins along the way! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4Y_NQIOrME/U2acWjfg7bI/AAAAAAAAHmE/MBdHuAUoyao/s1600/IMGP3149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4Y_NQIOrME/U2acWjfg7bI/AAAAAAAAHmE/MBdHuAUoyao/s1600/IMGP3149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We kayaked about 7 km out into the Sound and were thankfully picked up for the return trip. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5xzx8nobM4/U2aceAi6fzI/AAAAAAAAHlU/7y0ET7burjI/s1600/IMGP3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5xzx8nobM4/U2aceAi6fzI/AAAAAAAAHlU/7y0ET7burjI/s1600/IMGP3162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beauty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We wrapped up our trip with a backcountry trip down the Abel Tasman Track - basically an easier West Coast Trail (significantly easier), with MANY exit points via water taxis, and no illegal restaurants. I somehow didn't manage to take any pictures of our sunny first day on the track, but have plenty of pictures of us in the rain!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqtZDPOoTOI/U2acsk7oBvI/AAAAAAAAHrs/mN3sXYGET3w/s1600/IMGP3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqtZDPOoTOI/U2acsk7oBvI/AAAAAAAAHrs/mN3sXYGET3w/s1600/IMGP3266.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first day we hiked 12km in beautiful sunny weather. We stayed in a hut and were treated to flushing toilets an the glory of not having to carry a tent or sleeping pad. The second day we hiked 24 km in the pouring rain. It literally poured the entire day. My waterproof Goretex boots held on until kilometer 18, and thankfully my jacket held up! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ22XVBF2uE/U2acyhrmXpI/AAAAAAAAHr0/p8_u1w8wHb8/s1600/IMGP3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ22XVBF2uE/U2acyhrmXpI/AAAAAAAAHr0/p8_u1w8wHb8/s1600/IMGP3270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Still happy even though it's raining cats and dogs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To save time, we decided to skip a hut, which was why day two was 24 km. We ended up having lunch in the hut we skipped. Fortunately there was a fire going in it when we arrived. We learned from a few other hikers that the storm had washed away two water taxis over night and that all taxis off the track had been canceled due to unsafe conditions. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQlXCl5do6o/U2ac_6woViI/AAAAAAAAHoM/_mZ91kft_gw/s1600/IMGP3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQlXCl5do6o/U2ac_6woViI/AAAAAAAAHoM/_mZ91kft_gw/s1600/IMGP3284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hiking on a beach is only romantic if your legs aren't being sand blasted by the 70 km/hour winds.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEvwWkc2b1g/U2adGGiJJnI/AAAAAAAAHoo/vhlR89cDPws/s1600/IMGP3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEvwWkc2b1g/U2adGGiJJnI/AAAAAAAAHoo/vhlR89cDPws/s1600/IMGP3288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time for this to stop. Only a few kilometers away from the hut we were going to stay the night in. At the hut, we learned that the estuary we were supposed to cross the next day was extremely high due to the rain, and would be nearly impassable. After watching two very tall and very brave hikers wade across it with the water coming to their armpits we decided we needed to change our plans. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fortunately, Kiwis are big fans of backcountry luxury hotels. We hiked the two kilometers to the nearest one only to learn that conditions had only worsened over night. We couldn't go forward due to the estuary and the lack of water taxis (our exit point), and we couldn't go back because the trail had been washed out in two places. Many of our fellow hut mates decided to wait it out and booked a room in the hotel. We were about to do the same when we heard the word "helicopter". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Luckily for us there was a small break in the weather that would allow a helicopter to ferry us out and back to town. We were lucky enough to get to spots on the last flight out and it took about 15 minutes to fly back to our starting point. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhz4-EGdiVE/U2adNe1IToI/AAAAAAAAHo8/SxuO1xhoDMg/s1600/IMGP3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhz4-EGdiVE/U2adNe1IToI/AAAAAAAAHo8/SxuO1xhoDMg/s1600/IMGP3297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlMePzp5fMk/U2adLnuRW2I/AAAAAAAAHow/zZ2qW2YhcvI/s1600/IMGP3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlMePzp5fMk/U2adLnuRW2I/AAAAAAAAHow/zZ2qW2YhcvI/s1600/IMGP3294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This helicopter was the only one approved to transport the Royal Family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our South Island trip included so many other stops, it's hard to summarize it all. Our stop in Dunedin and our drive up the West Coast really sticks out in my mind, but will have to wait until another day! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-3599727823049094052014-03-26T23:25:00.001-07:002014-03-27T11:53:59.587-07:00Life in the Marlborough SoundsDave and I have been in the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand for over three months now. I am so grateful we have been able to work here and be right on the water. Being here has definitely been a nice change in lifestyle. Our commute consists of walking 30 seconds. We can't go anywhere on our breaks unless we take a boat. If we want to go walking, it will always, without fail, involve steep hills. If we are overheated, we can run and jump into the ocean to cool off. If we're feeling ambitious, we can go fishing for some blue cod. I like to think we took advantage of our free time to do as much as we could around the area. One thing we didn't get to do was mountain bike the Queen Charlotte track, but who knows, it might happen yet!<br />
<br />
<br />
The views here are fantastic, every morning we woke up to the sunrise - or rather it woke us up. We also got acquainted with a lot of the local wildlife here, including wekas, cicadas, bellbirds, fantails (super cute birds that will follow you around on the trail), and huhu bugs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/14496_10152075439683893_1933092200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/14496_10152075439683893_1933092200_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also get to wake up to mornings like this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvktaEIOBNg/Ux7CuLYeqII/AAAAAAAAG_g/pMCgJ14Y61c/s1600/IMG_5064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvktaEIOBNg/Ux7CuLYeqII/AAAAAAAAG_g/pMCgJ14Y61c/s1600/IMG_5064.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cicada. They are everywhere during the summer and they're loud. Almost deafening. Photo Credit: David Cassidy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozwn9cdDMHQ/Ux7DWAr4Y1I/AAAAAAAAHBg/yJyrNhOdOnI/s1600/IMG_5801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozwn9cdDMHQ/Ux7DWAr4Y1I/AAAAAAAAHBg/yJyrNhOdOnI/s1600/IMG_5801.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the shags that live in the bay. There is a huge colony of them about a 2 minute kayak away. Photo Credit: ME!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10152645_10152108544188893_1928748694_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10152645_10152108544188893_1928748694_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wee Fantail following us around. It has such a unique way of flitting about!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We've also been fortunate to be able to work with a wonderful group of people and formed our own little Marlborough family. Nick, one of the mangers, is even in the photo! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1621785_10152065039473893_1424853759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1621785_10152065039473893_1424853759_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our Lady Karen cruise, not everyone is in the photo unfortunately!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQHxo3nqo7w/Ux7DP4IV8lI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/p91cKeTCwfE/s1600/IMG_5695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQHxo3nqo7w/Ux7DP4IV8lI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/p91cKeTCwfE/s1600/IMG_5695.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panpan hugging me and lifting me up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRc_32BpeI4/Ux7DVQAg9AI/AAAAAAAAHBc/KYzaYBH6Wuw/s1600/IMG_5705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRc_32BpeI4/Ux7DVQAg9AI/AAAAAAAAHBc/KYzaYBH6Wuw/s1600/IMG_5705.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Housekeeping!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cruising on the Lady Karen</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As Sarah's farewell gift, most of the staff were able to go on a cruise through the sounds on the boat called <i>Lady Karen</i>. It's run by a Kiwi called Gordie. He is pretty much one of the nicest, friendliest people anyone will ever meet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1977423_10152065039238893_802692446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1977423_10152065039238893_802692446_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We got to fish for a bit, stopped for a swim, got to shoot some skeet and mostly lounged around and drank alcohol. The chefs at the resort also made us some lovely salads and desserts for the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neBDPXYofYU/Ux7DKPkIOoI/AAAAAAAAHA4/JpH4g1oVdgY/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neBDPXYofYU/Ux7DKPkIOoI/AAAAAAAAHA4/JpH4g1oVdgY/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at how big this blue cod is! Alex couldn't believe his eyes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDwNh5sc044/Ux7DIzaQ-yI/AAAAAAAAHAw/QGMw5VyR1-I/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDwNh5sc044/Ux7DIzaQ-yI/AAAAAAAAHAw/QGMw5VyR1-I/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeet shooting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDiY67pXtO8/Ux7DExpRUYI/AAAAAAAAHAg/S8Uv5rrsetw/s1600/IMG_5360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDiY67pXtO8/Ux7DExpRUYI/AAAAAAAAHAg/S8Uv5rrsetw/s1600/IMG_5360.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General lounging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grzV5phOlwY/Ux7DH88UaeI/AAAAAAAAHAo/S4GIxmvNMsM/s1600/IMG_5404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grzV5phOlwY/Ux7DH88UaeI/AAAAAAAAHAo/S4GIxmvNMsM/s1600/IMG_5404.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More lounging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Visiting Lochmara Lodge</span><br />
While we were here, we also spent the day at another resort on the sounds called Lochmara Lodge. It is a hotel as well as an art studio and wildlife sanctuary. They take care of animals (mostly birds) that are injured. We had lunch at the cafe and then walked around the resort. There were hammocks, art work, river eels, pig feeding and bird feeding in their aviary. They even had a rope swing but we didn't have our togs with us. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s54J8RGrMOc/Ux7C9aF7nlI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/OWXGYT2Ldeo/s1600/IMG_5225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s54J8RGrMOc/Ux7C9aF7nlI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/OWXGYT2Ldeo/s1600/IMG_5225.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-611BsWcBKQY/Ux7C0osB8aI/AAAAAAAAG_s/oLjxlPPnG0Y/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-611BsWcBKQY/Ux7C0osB8aI/AAAAAAAAG_s/oLjxlPPnG0Y/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammocks were everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir4QW5z-DH8/Ux7C0pk8bII/AAAAAAAAG_w/jcje82fuf_k/s1600/IMG_5178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir4QW5z-DH8/Ux7C0pk8bII/AAAAAAAAG_w/jcje82fuf_k/s1600/IMG_5178.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's kinda hard to get out of them, okay?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7c0SPS2CI1o/Ux7C4f0MTSI/AAAAAAAAG_4/y_iJIoZuKvk/s1600/IMG_5179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7c0SPS2CI1o/Ux7C4f0MTSI/AAAAAAAAG_4/y_iJIoZuKvk/s1600/IMG_5179.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic couch. Art and functional.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYHmX-fSGc0/Ux7C9BrsduI/AAAAAAAAHAE/MMSkR31JprU/s1600/IMG_5204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYHmX-fSGc0/Ux7C9BrsduI/AAAAAAAAHAE/MMSkR31JprU/s1600/IMG_5204.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding birds at the aviary. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Days Off</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On our days off, we would also just relax around the resort. We would go to a neighbouring jetty and sun bathe (summer in December..what??), go fishing, or snorkel. I honestly couldn't believe that we could just DIVE for scallops and eat them for free! One of the chefs, Bridget, taught me how to remove them from the shells. Pretty cool process, and kind of odd actually killing your own food! When we weren't too busy at the resort, we would go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. If we were feeling really ambitious, we would go walk along the Queen Charlotte track, or to the look out. You have to understand, work consisted of walking up and down hills all day. Walking up and down hills on days off weren't exactly at the top of our list, but we did manage to get out a few times. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1939524_10152108669173893_215936180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1939524_10152108669173893_215936180_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking from Ship's Cove to Furneaux Lodge, looking out at the Marlborough Sounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8D9pqbtCYk/Ux65eI84Z2I/AAAAAAAAG6I/EOAC4juuheQ/s1600/IMGP3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8D9pqbtCYk/Ux65eI84Z2I/AAAAAAAAG6I/EOAC4juuheQ/s1600/IMGP3023.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkelling with SamSam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1524587_10153621760470322_1148639304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1524587_10153621760470322_1148639304_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling to a secluded beach. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Six Course Dinner</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before Panpan and Sam left, we also got to eat at the Foredeck, the five-star restaurant on the resort. The chefs prepared a special six course degustation (meal) for us that included just about every animal you can eat (minus chicken) and a wine to match each one. Here they are in reverse order, descriptions are quite simple, even though the meals and flavours were quite complex.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngu2H1Wgly0/Ux66MfVGTmI/AAAAAAAAG68/YL0fDAwD0RU/s1600/IMGP2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngu2H1Wgly0/Ux66MfVGTmI/AAAAAAAAG68/YL0fDAwD0RU/s1600/IMGP2981.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KyJ5S37iVU/Ux68pbxyJsI/AAAAAAAAG-M/GPUwO77pEX4/s1600/IMGP3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KyJ5S37iVU/Ux68pbxyJsI/AAAAAAAAG-M/GPUwO77pEX4/s1600/IMGP3002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White chocolate mouse, with a lemon curd center, blueberries and a popcorn crust.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUSNOEQIRFk/Ux68jkWhEBI/AAAAAAAAG98/J5r1TAN7_Yw/s1600/IMGP3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUSNOEQIRFk/Ux68jkWhEBI/AAAAAAAAG98/J5r1TAN7_Yw/s1600/IMGP3000.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refresher: Freeze dried lychee, vanilla, fresh passion fruit, ginger beer ice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEs-1EbsD0/Ux68Q33Nt2I/AAAAAAAAG90/HKLKFQTHPTE/s1600/IMGP2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEs-1EbsD0/Ux68Q33Nt2I/AAAAAAAAG90/HKLKFQTHPTE/s1600/IMGP2999.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggie side of kale and carrots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1MbwNd7IHg/Ux68O0N5OxI/AAAAAAAAG9s/MC7yMGrNKqw/s1600/IMGP2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1MbwNd7IHg/Ux68O0N5OxI/AAAAAAAAG9s/MC7yMGrNKqw/s1600/IMGP2998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef Wellington with veggies. I was so excited, I forgot to take a picture before I dug in. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ef4Q1UmfO5k/Ux668eq_uMI/AAAAAAAAG7s/N9xnMENiPm0/s1600/IMGP2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ef4Q1UmfO5k/Ux668eq_uMI/AAAAAAAAG7s/N9xnMENiPm0/s1600/IMGP2987.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon with crusted mussels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_n-9ZlurLcU/Ux66m9rBm2I/AAAAAAAAG7U/J7Lk9JmlOMU/s1600/IMGP2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_n-9ZlurLcU/Ux66m9rBm2I/AAAAAAAAG7U/J7Lk9JmlOMU/s1600/IMGP2985.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork belly and scallops and potato rosti. Scallops were fried in Marmite. Mmm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwGEnLiWsHU/Ux66R1OVQkI/AAAAAAAAG7E/AHh6HMYXNrw/s1600/IMGP2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwGEnLiWsHU/Ux66R1OVQkI/AAAAAAAAG7E/AHh6HMYXNrw/s1600/IMGP2983.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna (yum!), prawns (yum!), proscuitto (yum!) and cantaloupe (yum!). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMiqgrRYxxY/Ux68IbzbhmI/AAAAAAAAG9k/hfuqVX4qfCU/s1600/IMGP2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMiqgrRYxxY/Ux68IbzbhmI/AAAAAAAAG9k/hfuqVX4qfCU/s1600/IMGP2997.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each course came with a delicious wine match, chosen by Stacey and Sophie. Needless to say, I was very full and very drunk by the end of the meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to also have a friend come visit! Benoit came and spent the day kayaking and had lunch at the resort. Hard to believe we met seven years ago in Prague!! Doesn't feel like it was that long ago at all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-XO0NBk1Qw/Ux69AiC9wSI/AAAAAAAAG-k/SfXfjc7JL2Y/s1600/IMGP2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-XO0NBk1Qw/Ux69AiC9wSI/AAAAAAAAG-k/SfXfjc7JL2Y/s1600/IMGP2937.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at the Bight Cafe, open to the public, and right on the water. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Working and living in an isolated resort has been a fantastic experience. I will never forget the people I met here and I will certainly miss them and the wonderful lifestyle we had here. I don't seem to have any work pictures, but maybe I'll post some a little later.<br />
<br />
PS. They pronounce Marlborough "Mall-Brah" here. Took me awhile to learn that. =)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-59576340531445521452014-03-11T00:32:00.002-07:002014-03-11T00:32:51.306-07:00Young at heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QT8Vbaxq40M/UvMntpgkwgI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/gQ6-RXhjw5o/s1600/IMG_4743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QT8Vbaxq40M/UvMntpgkwgI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/gQ6-RXhjw5o/s1600/IMG_4743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdXTiA8uKU/UvMnswv0YMI/AAAAAAAAG3U/xHRmgg_d6yE/s1600/IMG_4745.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the best things about working at the resort has been meeting people from New Zealand and around the world. Panpan is one of them! She joined the housekeeping team a few weeks after I got here, and during our work, we would talk about what life is like back home. One of the things we discussed was how we celebrated birthdays. For Panpan's family, birthdays aren't celebrated with parties and presents. That's when Dave decided that we needed to throw a half birthday party for Panpan. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We baked her a cake! I baked the cake, and made the icing, and Dave decorated with all his heart. =)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QT8Vbaxq40M/UvMntpgkwgI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/gQ6-RXhjw5o/s1600/IMG_4743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QT8Vbaxq40M/UvMntpgkwgI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/gQ6-RXhjw5o/s1600/IMG_4743.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course no party is complete without penis straws. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVAemfaul28/UvMntlieNVI/AAAAAAAAG3c/LeiBWP0S2Bk/s1600/IMG_4746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVAemfaul28/UvMntlieNVI/AAAAAAAAG3c/LeiBWP0S2Bk/s1600/IMG_4746.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Panpan was slightly confused by what they were. Natalie is trying to contain herself.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She figured it out!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0i1fAYdGjM/UvMn4g81szI/AAAAAAAAG3s/irYbca83q2c/s1600/IMG_4747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0i1fAYdGjM/UvMn4g81szI/AAAAAAAAG3s/irYbca83q2c/s1600/IMG_4747.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, no half-birthday is complete without presents! Panpan and I received matching sweaters! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECipIPi9-Ps/UvMn63xk_8I/AAAAAAAAG34/EQtN1zzUoCw/s1600/IMG_4752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECipIPi9-Ps/UvMn63xk_8I/AAAAAAAAG34/EQtN1zzUoCw/s1600/IMG_4752.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the dorkiest I've been in awhile!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found candles and Sarah also bought a few. In total we managed to wrangle up 26 of them!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjfl91fesqQ/UvMoFBA0WFI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/hNIp5ZSzt9Y/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjfl91fesqQ/UvMoFBA0WFI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/hNIp5ZSzt9Y/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Little did we know, the candles we found in Bellbird were actually trick candles. They kept reigniting after Panpan blew them out. Too funny!</span></span><div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ2YgraxujI/UvMoAI2qSGI/AAAAAAAAG4E/QZtTps0FAh0/s1600/IMG_4761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ2YgraxujI/UvMoAI2qSGI/AAAAAAAAG4E/QZtTps0FAh0/s1600/IMG_4761.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Half Birthday Panpan!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUYu-mpTZ08/UvMoFP0wEZI/AAAAAAAAG4M/YYU-SmMz7EA/s1600/IMG_4776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUYu-mpTZ08/UvMoFP0wEZI/AAAAAAAAG4M/YYU-SmMz7EA/s1600/IMG_4776.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't seem to have any photos of the games and food we had... but Alex and Richelle cooked up a storm for us. Sarah went to town and bought us a pinata, balloons and Pin the Tail on the Donkey. We also played Pass the Parcel! I think I went a little overboard with the wrapping, but in the end it was worth it. It was definitely a night to remember. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-54738689821327639352014-02-05T22:09:00.000-08:002014-02-05T22:09:17.186-08:00Source to Sea: Canyoning and Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UI0OBT9nvXA/UuOQgfRKqII/AAAAAAAAG0Q/l_nlQITp6O8/s640/blogger-image--415999624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UI0OBT9nvXA/UuOQgfRKqII/AAAAAAAAG0Q/l_nlQITp6O8/s640/blogger-image--415999624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZPjpg1w4Zs/UuOQczV0o3I/AAAAAAAAG0I/hCpPFYhbLkE/s640/blogger-image--347110816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZPjpg1w4Zs/UuOQczV0o3I/AAAAAAAAG0I/hCpPFYhbLkE/s640/blogger-image--347110816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7e87QjrMTHM/UuN7MY8n0SI/AAAAAAAAGzM/vyumsDW0UGc/s640/blogger-image-1574452694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7e87QjrMTHM/UuN7MY8n0SI/AAAAAAAAGzM/vyumsDW0UGc/s640/blogger-image-1574452694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0AipuG-4mmA/UuN17fgPERI/AAAAAAAAGyw/JgYO8Pguwzo/s640/blogger-image-1925960234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0AipuG-4mmA/UuN17fgPERI/AAAAAAAAGyw/JgYO8Pguwzo/s640/blogger-image-1925960234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E4q5muOb86Q/UuN9F7UmIDI/AAAAAAAAGzo/sxCylI9e5Ho/s640/blogger-image--1438026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E4q5muOb86Q/UuN9F7UmIDI/AAAAAAAAGzo/sxCylI9e5Ho/s640/blogger-image--1438026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eRhLidEBVeQ/UuOZVmjK4NI/AAAAAAAAG0w/demipP_Ht0o/s640/blogger-image--716041881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eRhLidEBVeQ/UuOZVmjK4NI/AAAAAAAAG0w/demipP_Ht0o/s640/blogger-image--716041881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nFxoZcFtRpk/UuN7QEESWTI/AAAAAAAAGzU/5JsP7ViX3EU/s640/blogger-image-1578025683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nFxoZcFtRpk/UuN7QEESWTI/AAAAAAAAGzU/5JsP7ViX3EU/s640/blogger-image-1578025683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGtRjlkL3Og/UuOZN2OcDII/AAAAAAAAG0g/VdoAE11TsAQ/s640/blogger-image--1302172730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGtRjlkL3Og/UuOZN2OcDII/AAAAAAAAG0g/VdoAE11TsAQ/s640/blogger-image--1302172730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AI50X2tb-bE/UuOZR_-hWfI/AAAAAAAAG0o/VCLSzWkVgKc/s640/blogger-image-244058264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AI50X2tb-bE/UuOZR_-hWfI/AAAAAAAAG0o/VCLSzWkVgKc/s640/blogger-image-244058264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OZJuZ6p1NZE/UuN12JPLvNI/AAAAAAAAGyo/URPeQm8-E9A/s640/blogger-image--1222158866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OZJuZ6p1NZE/UuN12JPLvNI/AAAAAAAAGyo/URPeQm8-E9A/s640/blogger-image--1222158866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vVK1NTlgJUo/UuObkt22yOI/AAAAAAAAG04/qjAuTJ6dP5Y/s640/blogger-image--1685103051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vVK1NTlgJUo/UuObkt22yOI/AAAAAAAAG04/qjAuTJ6dP5Y/s640/blogger-image--1685103051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
After dreaming and scheming about this trip for two months (mainly on my part), Dave and I finally had time and money to do the Source-to-Sea trip offered by Abel Tasman Canyons and The Sea Kayak Company in Abel Tasman National Park. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our two day kayaking and canyoning trip started in Motueka where we grabbed our gear and boarded the water taxi in the parking lot. Because it was low tide, the water taxis needed to be towed onto the beach and dropped off by tractors. I can't tell you how bizarre it is to be on the road, in a boat, being towed by a tractor. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1497630_10153725174255322_1731545462_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1497630_10153725174255322_1731545462_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our day canyoning was spent with two guides, two kiwi families, and a group of three kiwi men. The canyon itself was pretty wide and mellow. It wasn't too deep but it held some really exciting things for us! We got dropped off at Anchorage Bay in the national park, a very popular spot with <i>everyone else </i>in NZ it seems. It was about an hour hike to the top of the Torrent River. Our guides, carrying ropes, abseiling gear, snacks and drinks, set a pretty gargantuan pace. Pretty impressive, considering the rest of us were carrying very little and struggling to keep up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GqhnfqsKl38/UuN9Jm7Co3I/AAAAAAAAGzw/NnVQ9fJGE64/s640/blogger-image-1514663536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GqhnfqsKl38/UuN9Jm7Co3I/AAAAAAAAGzw/NnVQ9fJGE64/s640/blogger-image-1514663536.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first half of the day was spent doing mini abseils, ziplines, natural water slides and jumps. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eRhLidEBVeQ/UuOZVmjK4NI/AAAAAAAAG0w/demipP_Ht0o/s640/blogger-image--716041881.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Walking was the most dangerous part. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vVK1NTlgJUo/UuObkt22yOI/AAAAAAAAG04/qjAuTJ6dP5Y/s400/blogger-image--1685103051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave emergine after the biggest slide!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AI50X2tb-bE/UuOZR_-hWfI/AAAAAAAAG0o/VCLSzWkVgKc/s640/blogger-image-244058264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how your dismount from an abseil, let go and be free! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGtRjlkL3Og/UuOZN2OcDII/AAAAAAAAG0g/VdoAE11TsAQ/s320/blogger-image--1302172730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the talk about the 8 meter jump. Commit or get seriously hurt. Seriously. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nFxoZcFtRpk/UuN7QEESWTI/AAAAAAAAGzU/5JsP7ViX3EU/s640/blogger-image-1578025683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last slide at Cleopatra's Pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E4q5muOb86Q/UuN9F7UmIDI/AAAAAAAAGzo/sxCylI9e5Ho/s320/blogger-image--1438026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to abseil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0AipuG-4mmA/UuN17fgPERI/AAAAAAAAGyw/JgYO8Pguwzo/s640/blogger-image-1925960234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big zipline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7e87QjrMTHM/UuN7MY8n0SI/AAAAAAAAGzM/vyumsDW0UGc/s640/blogger-image-1574452694.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The warm up to the bigger jump. Six meters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZPjpg1w4Zs/UuOQczV0o3I/AAAAAAAAG0I/hCpPFYhbLkE/s400/blogger-image--347110816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UI0OBT9nvXA/UuOQgfRKqII/AAAAAAAAG0Q/l_nlQITp6O8/s400/blogger-image--415999624.jpg" width="400" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j19ctLbabws/UuQmLB5T7_I/AAAAAAAAG1w/xCQrQniFS50/s640/blogger-image-468079641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j19ctLbabws/UuQmLB5T7_I/AAAAAAAAG1w/xCQrQniFS50/s640/blogger-image-468079641.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo at the midway point. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j19ctLbabws/UuQmLB5T7_I/AAAAAAAAG1w/xCQrQniFS50/s640/blogger-image-468079641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IYPnViEOLWo/UuQmPBz1sLI/AAAAAAAAG14/oRtezU67VMM/s640/blogger-image-471012144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IYPnViEOLWo/UuQmPBz1sLI/AAAAAAAAG14/oRtezU67VMM/s640/blogger-image-471012144.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big zipline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d2gyrGupUU0/UuN9texLvzI/AAAAAAAAGz4/k6_BjJo61LA/s640/blogger-image--1480205160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d2gyrGupUU0/UuN9texLvzI/AAAAAAAAGz4/k6_BjJo61LA/s640/blogger-image--1480205160.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After Cleopatra's Pool, it was about a half hour hike back to Anchorage Beach. By this point we were all pretty exhausted. Our path was also submerged by the high tide. Dave and I ended up taking turns dragging each other through the water. Our wetsuits were quite buoyant and we attached ourselves together with our daisy chains. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Odkr-bmXbg4/UuN7TpBXx4I/AAAAAAAAGzc/7ljfpNKDajw/s640/blogger-image--2036948591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Odkr-bmXbg4/UuN7TpBXx4I/AAAAAAAAGzc/7ljfpNKDajw/s640/blogger-image--2036948591.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our next stop was the floating hostel in Anchorage Bay. You had to stand on the beach and wave at the people on the boat in order to actually get onto it. One of the two workers picked us up on their tender (another words for small motorized boat). Dave and I were shown to our teeny tiny 'double' dorm bed. We acutally slept in the blue bottom part of the boat (as you can see in the picture). We were immediately sea sick. Dave more so than me. Our dorm bed and dorm area also made us both really claustrophobic. Good thing they sold ginger beer on the boat, because I think we both would have ended up throwing up. Despite the sea sickness, it was a beautiful night with some great food served by our two hosts on the hostel. Definitely recommend it if you aren't prone to motion sickness. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CUR65ha23wY/UuQl-AJRnxI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/xiF8Q1MKsXg/s640/blogger-image--601380144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CUR65ha23wY/UuQl-AJRnxI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/xiF8Q1MKsXg/s320/blogger-image--601380144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMM91p8MJPA/UuN1_-PkF6I/AAAAAAAAGy4/Wg_dEMHoc3A/s640/blogger-image--940275051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMM91p8MJPA/UuN1_-PkF6I/AAAAAAAAGy4/Wg_dEMHoc3A/s400/blogger-image--940275051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OZJuZ6p1NZE/UuN12JPLvNI/AAAAAAAAGyo/URPeQm8-E9A/s320/blogger-image--1222158866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to sleeping on a boat!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next morning we were dropped off on the beach and left to entertain ourselves until noon. We decided to soak up some sun and tried to recover from the sea sickness. We also hiked about half an hour to another beautiful beach to meet our kayak guides. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HESe3SC96vs/UuQmS_UN6gI/AAAAAAAAG2A/NRB3LiYeaDk/s640/blogger-image-989351556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HESe3SC96vs/UuQmS_UN6gI/AAAAAAAAG2A/NRB3LiYeaDk/s400/blogger-image-989351556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage Bay in the morning. Beautiful slice of heaven. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HHp8wRsGkv4/UuQl6bpmbcI/AAAAAAAAG1Q/pJE0n29G11c/s640/blogger-image--2082858273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HHp8wRsGkv4/UuQl6bpmbcI/AAAAAAAAG1Q/pJE0n29G11c/s640/blogger-image--2082858273.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage Bay from the hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch on the beach, we started our kayak tour. We headed to Adelle Island to see if we could catch a glimpse of the fur seals. We saw quite a few sun bathing and quite a few swimming in the water. There were also baby fur seals that were so cute! They were also very vocal and were constantly screeching like velociraptors. It was pretty adorable. We only had my little point and shoot camera though, so no good pics resulted from it. After a day of canyoning, it was nice to half a calm, relaxing day on the ocean. Our guide told us many interesting anecdotes, including one about Australasian Gannets, and about Abel Tasman's encounter with the Maori people which resulted in two of his crew members being cannibalized. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gD2cjVYQ4Tg/UuQmFy-rqVI/AAAAAAAAG1o/TnaEUyny3U4/s640/blogger-image-1345162763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gD2cjVYQ4Tg/UuQmFy-rqVI/AAAAAAAAG1o/TnaEUyny3U4/s640/blogger-image-1345162763.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking around Adelle Island looking at baby fur seals and shags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5nLw4CIOjhc/UuQmCPkLW7I/AAAAAAAAG1g/H9n52uFwxKQ/s640/blogger-image--247950855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5nLw4CIOjhc/UuQmCPkLW7I/AAAAAAAAG1g/H9n52uFwxKQ/s640/blogger-image--247950855.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What was an empty beach, quickly became crowded with about 30 people landing on it. <div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Unfortunately, the second half of the three hour kayak was not as relaxing as it could have been because I had too much juice at lunch. Let's just say, this was the only time in my adult life I tried to justify peeing in my pants. Which also would have resulted in me sitting in my own pee for the remainder of the kayak. Luckily, I was able to make it to the bathroom in time :).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was probably two of the most enjoyable days I've ever had!! Wish I could afford to do this all the time!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are even in New Zealand, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.abeltasmancanyons.co.nz/" target="_blank">Abel Tasman Canyons</a> and <a href="http://www.seakayaknz.co.nz/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">The Sea Kayak Company</a>. All the guides were experienced and very professional. The canyoning guides also took pictures for the group and shared them via Dropbox for free so you don't even have to worry about bringing a camera.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-85938723217196590542014-02-04T00:19:00.003-08:002014-02-04T00:25:06.031-08:00Impromptu Helicopter RideOne of the things about working at a five star luxury resort is that the guests sometimes choose to arrive in a helicopter. When that happens, if we happen to have a day off and the stars align, staff are able to ride back.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday, Dave and I were lucky enough to be on one of those flights!! There was a large group of Chinese tourists who arrived via helicopter, and one of them was headed back to Blenheim, a nearby town we were going to the next day. Stacey came up with the brilliant idea that we should see if we could hitch a ride back to town on one of the choppers around 5 PM. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At this point, we were all lounging around in our togs (bathing suits) on a nearby jetty and I was drying off from my dip in the water. By the time we found Pip, the resort manager, to ask if she could ask the company about us going back on them, it was about 5:20. Since it was really last minute, she said we had to be at the helicopter pad, ready to go when the helicopter landed, which was going to be at 6 pm. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stacey, Fran, Dave and I rushed back to our rooms, packed, and were there by about 5:40. The first chopper landed and we watched apprehensively to see if the pilot was ok with taking us back. Fortunately, he said it was alright and we got on!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIKRwIyKJ_I/UvChefGZx-I/AAAAAAAAG2c/oRgKqv8VHv4/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIKRwIyKJ_I/UvChefGZx-I/AAAAAAAAG2c/oRgKqv8VHv4/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">He said yes!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dave and I got to sit in the front with the pilot, and boy was it a tight space! The views were fantastic though...the glass basically gave us a 360 degree view of everything. We were in the air for about 15 minutes and just glided over the sounds. My favourite part was popping over a mountain range and seeing the ocean and the Kaikoura mountain range in the distance. Absolutely gorgeous!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pilot was a stud (in the words of Dave) and also drove us back to Picton so that we could retrieve our car. This was completely unexpected and is an experience I will never forget!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzXrElVz15w/UvCheqjdZoI/AAAAAAAAG2g/HMzMeUXqV64/s1600/IMG_4871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzXrElVz15w/UvCheqjdZoI/AAAAAAAAG2g/HMzMeUXqV64/s1600/IMG_4871.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1hQ31ZUoBg/UvChcA8J3ZI/AAAAAAAAG2U/JHLNlAaKxAI/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1hQ31ZUoBg/UvChcA8J3ZI/AAAAAAAAG2U/JHLNlAaKxAI/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5_obvE3bL4/UvChjMBifqI/AAAAAAAAG2s/HIUF24eV5a0/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5_obvE3bL4/UvChjMBifqI/AAAAAAAAG2s/HIUF24eV5a0/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over Picton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f4gpZZC6G4/UvChmTP8zjI/AAAAAAAAG20/MgLfJJG8Quc/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f4gpZZC6G4/UvChmTP8zjI/AAAAAAAAG20/MgLfJJG8Quc/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ocean and the Kaikoura mountain range</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmUA7DhXDIw/UvChm0OBwjI/AAAAAAAAG24/QgLdpyNrcYI/s1600/IMG_4951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmUA7DhXDIw/UvChm0OBwjI/AAAAAAAAG24/QgLdpyNrcYI/s1600/IMG_4951.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacey and Fran in the back of the chopper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgnfFqVKRJg/UvChpRgzcoI/AAAAAAAAG3E/B-dWq-IODHM/s1600/IMG_4961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgnfFqVKRJg/UvChpRgzcoI/AAAAAAAAG3E/B-dWq-IODHM/s1600/IMG_4961.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wineries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To top off the night we had some delicious Indian food and then car camped by the beach. To save space, we didn't pack our sleeping pads, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but SO worth it. Thank you Tasman/Coast to Coast Helicopters for the ride!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1743682_10153768550040591_278456435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1743682_10153768550040591_278456435_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-89192646993645825822014-01-24T21:03:00.003-08:002014-01-25T00:53:05.494-08:00Fishing at Bay of Many Coves<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Dave and I have been working at the resort for almost two months now. Boy, did that pass by quickly! During that time we have worked our butts off but also found time to enjoy life. Amy, a former staff and kiwi, was nice enough to leave her fishing rod behind for us to use. She also sent us some frozen squid for bait, and a few other tools we would need for Christmas. What a sweetie pie! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Dave and I finally found time to go fishing and caught a whole shack of fish! I started by catching two Spotties on my first two casts. These we used for bait, because they are too bony to eat. As you can see, I was not too stoked on killing them, but it had to be done! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8pEKwzrNYuI/Usks0tkWUUI/AAAAAAAAGxo/b_kmHbg1qKg/s640/blogger-image--2123879262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8pEKwzrNYuI/Usks0tkWUUI/AAAAAAAAGxo/b_kmHbg1qKg/s640/blogger-image--2123879262.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2dxzsovCRsc/Usks6jU4mQI/AAAAAAAAGx4/fCK9veWPmRU/s640/blogger-image-140477381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2dxzsovCRsc/Usks6jU4mQI/AAAAAAAAGx4/fCK9veWPmRU/s640/blogger-image-140477381.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After a few more tries I caught a small King fish, but released it because it was too small. They are supposed to be a whopping 75 cm before you can fry them up! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EGIPaoAbRmg/UsksuKhhajI/AAAAAAAAGxY/HYIDsX03Hzk/s640/blogger-image-1105457531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EGIPaoAbRmg/UsksuKhhajI/AAAAAAAAGxY/HYIDsX03Hzk/s640/blogger-image-1105457531.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OvFyprEYT3g/Usks-X1BCjI/AAAAAAAAGyA/tZ3SHiA7bto/s640/blogger-image--777219619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OvFyprEYT3g/Usks-X1BCjI/AAAAAAAAGyA/tZ3SHiA7bto/s640/blogger-image--777219619.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Dave gave it a few tries afterwards and caught two blue cod! These were up to size so we quickly killed and filleted them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FkTwitzwC4I/Usks3jofovI/AAAAAAAAGxw/JfbqLYo5nvE/s640/blogger-image-910302876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FkTwitzwC4I/Usks3jofovI/AAAAAAAAGxw/JfbqLYo5nvE/s640/blogger-image-910302876.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DcpFE1nqFOM/UskslhFf41I/AAAAAAAAGxQ/iAzsRpkPN38/s640/blogger-image-1721238161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DcpFE1nqFOM/UskslhFf41I/AAAAAAAAGxQ/iAzsRpkPN38/s640/blogger-image-1721238161.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We brought them back, battered them up and fried them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fs6GF7UweQ8/UsksxdKlrCI/AAAAAAAAGxg/ENHMFFLKv3U/s640/blogger-image-1691039745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fs6GF7UweQ8/UsksxdKlrCI/AAAAAAAAGxg/ENHMFFLKv3U/s640/blogger-image-1691039745.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Then gobbled them up really fast!! I love New Zealand!! And I love my kiwi life!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-25541286154644390252013-12-07T16:51:00.003-08:002013-12-07T18:21:02.646-08:00Bay of Many CovesAfter months and months of searching, Dave and I finally landed the perfect job in New Zealand! We started work at the Bay of Many Coves Resort at the end of November and will be staying here until about mid-March. Our working holiday, is now officially a working holiday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pluBNhrwAFY/UqPWOOgAy4I/AAAAAAAAGs0/K823mUb546s/s1600/IMG_4258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pluBNhrwAFY/UqPWOOgAy4I/AAAAAAAAGs0/K823mUb546s/s1600/IMG_4258.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
By perfect job, I mean, we are getting paid, it is surrounded by nature, and we are getting free accommodation and wifi. Dave and I have our own room and share the living room and kitchen with the other staff. We are responsible for feeding ourselves, so we can either go into town and get groceries ourselves, or order them and they will arrive the next day by boat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My original plan was to substitute teach in New Zealand, but somehow the idea of finding an apartment, paying rent and planning lessons wasn't too appealing. Dave's original plan didn't quite work out either. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My job is in housekeeping and I will be doing some cafe and food and beverage work. Dave's job is porter/maintenance work. We were also told he would be taking guests out on the little motor boat if there were dolphins or whales in the cove that they wanted to go see. Sweet as, brew!</div>
<div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NhY_SP4QMQ/UqOrA7JUZ-I/AAAAAAAAGsQ/iuYNorDeyow/s1600/IMGP2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NhY_SP4QMQ/UqOrA7JUZ-I/AAAAAAAAGsQ/iuYNorDeyow/s1600/IMGP2600.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I was a little apprehensive at first about the isolation we would be facing, but so far it's been great. Work is quite hard because there are no elevators and this place is built up on the side of a hill. This means I get to cart things up and down said hills during my entire shift. Whenever it's been warm enough, I have been going swimming after work. The ocean is cold, but also refereshing when you've been running around in 25 degree weather! There is also a surprising amount of marine life...we've seen dolphins, stingrays, starfish, and sea urchins. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jUmosA6X3s0/UqOqDtTcZdI/AAAAAAAAGsE/RhC6qK0oVco/s1600/IMGP2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jUmosA6X3s0/UqOqDtTcZdI/AAAAAAAAGsE/RhC6qK0oVco/s1600/IMGP2597.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otyvoqjhiRM/UqOoSMutOZI/AAAAAAAAGro/ABvwYdzVDkk/s1600/IMGP2589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otyvoqjhiRM/UqOoSMutOZI/AAAAAAAAGro/ABvwYdzVDkk/s1600/IMGP2589.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQDE5evMzd4/UqPWLjNfBXI/AAAAAAAAGss/6OucCp9se9U/s1600/IMG_4232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQDE5evMzd4/UqPWLjNfBXI/AAAAAAAAGss/6OucCp9se9U/s1600/IMG_4232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've also had the chance to go kayaking and stand up paddleboarding around the bay. There are so many birds here to see while kayaking! Yesterday, Dave and I hiked to the lookout point, which is about 45 minutes away if you're a slow hiker like me! You can see some of the mountain ranges on the South Island and the town of Picton is not too far away. Definitely a great place to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nbw_AFeVJo/UqPWoWzAqzI/AAAAAAAAGtE/_4iiEOUYYno/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nbw_AFeVJo/UqPWoWzAqzI/AAAAAAAAGtE/_4iiEOUYYno/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTvnLFZ2jOE/UqPWggluoZI/AAAAAAAAGs8/hv1rkiTPG3g/s1600/IMG_4223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTvnLFZ2jOE/UqPWggluoZI/AAAAAAAAGs8/hv1rkiTPG3g/s1600/IMG_4223.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As part of the food and beverage team, I was also part of the vintner's training. We got to sample about 20 different wines and learn about their tasting notes and a little bit about how they are made. I was pretty lost, but I definitely enjoyed all the samples! Afterwards, the rest of the staff were invited to socialize and finish off the many bottles of wine that we had opened..and that we did!<br />
<br />
The next day, most of the staff went into town and went on a wine tour courtesy of Bay of Many Coves. We toured the vineyards around a large town called Blenheim, but more so known on the world stage as the Marlborough region. This is where New Zealand's famous sauvignon blanc comes from. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1474549_10151717603095927_1224381125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1474549_10151717603095927_1224381125_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely people I will be working with for the next few months!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWbv1j1y9As/UqOj425RO7I/AAAAAAAAGqo/xg-0da20j3M/s1600/IMGP2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWbv1j1y9As/UqOj425RO7I/AAAAAAAAGqo/xg-0da20j3M/s1600/IMGP2610.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our tour included the Lawsons Dry Hills, Seresin, Villa Maria Estate and Giessens wineries. The nic people at Villa Maria were kind enough to give us a behind the scenes tour of the winery. The amount of wine they make every year is astounding. They had a whole warehouse of steel tanks that could hold 75 000 liters of wine in each. Vincent, our tour guide and part Canadian, told us they also lose about 8000 liters of wine a year from evaporation... wine for the angels. There was also a huge earthquake in the region a few months ago which broke all the bolts that held the steel tanks into place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MR2-PFxhw8/UqOj1falVNI/AAAAAAAAGqg/Owbeqowlb9Q/s1600/IMGP2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MR2-PFxhw8/UqOj1falVNI/AAAAAAAAGqg/Owbeqowlb9Q/s1600/IMGP2613.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">For safety reasons, we had to wear hard hats and vests on our behind the scenes tour.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1451408_10151717611490927_1209049140_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1451408_10151717611490927_1209049140_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the barrel room. French oak only in here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CqqSTMsWro/UqOlUlyd4jI/AAAAAAAAGq8/1pARXnhNm9g/s1600/IMGP2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CqqSTMsWro/UqOlUlyd4jI/AAAAAAAAGq8/1pARXnhNm9g/s1600/IMGP2621.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Villa Maria tasting room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sarah our driver and tour guide was also nice enough to take us on a few detours to a fudge shop, a boutique chocolate factory and a cherry orchard. Definitely enjoyed the food pit stops, maybe more than I enjoyed the wine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQE8q6eZwpY/UqOldtL3c5I/AAAAAAAAGrE/s1SseAk3iko/s1600/IMGP2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQE8q6eZwpY/UqOldtL3c5I/AAAAAAAAGrE/s1SseAk3iko/s1600/IMGP2624.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the wineries we visited also made olive oils. Delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8nGJgE97uc/UqOoGrO57fI/AAAAAAAAGrY/tSiOMv_rVzA/s1600/IMGP2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8nGJgE97uc/UqOoGrO57fI/AAAAAAAAGrY/tSiOMv_rVzA/s1600/IMGP2629.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate factory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUjmIRkh0oo/UqOlsCL_jYI/AAAAAAAAGrM/O3_HKMDhv1k/s1600/IMGP2628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUjmIRkh0oo/UqOlsCL_jYI/AAAAAAAAGrM/O3_HKMDhv1k/s1600/IMGP2628.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the fudge shop, I got ice cream!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been a great experience so far. The other people who live and work here have been so friendly and welcoming. It's like we are one happy little family here. It's a nice mix of kiwis and other people from around the world. There is definitely no shortage of accents here! For Christmas, we are planning on doing a huge potluck and doing a Secret Santa exchange. I was telling Stacey, who is from Britain, that it's weird for me to be 'wearing a Santa hat and a tank top at the same time' and she looked at me like I was speaking another language. She did not understand what I mean by 'Santa' and 'tank top'. It was hilarious. =)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1426637_10151717602265927_1032835829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1426637_10151717602265927_1032835829_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hopefully I will have a bit more time to blog about our time on the South Island over the next few weeks. It's way more scenic down here than it is on the North Island. If not, Merry Christmas everyone. =)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-54757781349038058092013-11-27T23:43:00.001-08:002013-12-07T16:58:50.913-08:00A Review of New Zealand Rock ClimbingI have now had the privilege to have sampled a collection of some of New Zealand's finest rock. Michelle and I have climbed at Mt.Maunganui, Paynes Ford, Pohara, Castle Hill and Hospital Flats (Wanaka) which have all been a very unique but feature a common theme of technique, adventure and humility. <br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Most of the rock we have climbed on has been very technical and powerful. Being physically strong and thoughtless can leave one very frustrated. There has been lot's of technical footwork, mantles, smearing on rounded edges and delicate movement (the mantles are not limited to bouldering as well). After a good handful of climbing days throughout New Zealand I've only once had a sore upper body.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2NG9qDz-n0/UpbwX4yVPQI/AAAAAAAAAQg/NZ8ZhjD_vuA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-28+at+8.29.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2NG9qDz-n0/UpbwX4yVPQI/AAAAAAAAAQg/NZ8ZhjD_vuA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-28+at+8.29.00+PM.png" height="640" width="417" /></a></div>
Cleaning draws off one of many awesome climbs at Mt.Maunganui.<br />
<br />
The rock has been a combination of all three rock types igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Mt.Maunganui featured a really nice igneous rock called rhyolite that was highly featured with pockets, jugs and ample texture for confident smearing. It was a pretty cool experience to be able to climb on the exterior of an extinct volcanic cone. This climbing area has ample atmosphere and with most the routes being between 10-15 meters it allows one to climb with more of a bouldering headspace.<br />
<br />
At Paynes Ford, Pohara and Castle Hill it felt nice and familiar, limestone. Although, the erosion and weathering on the rock at Paynes and Pohara have created a series of really interesting ridges and horn features that were really interesting, but overall it had the same texture and confidence inspiring grip that I'm used to back in the Canadian Rockies. The only limestone choss we came across was at Pohara, which is likely due to the proximity to the Sea. I can only speculate that the salt water plays a huge roll in the exfoliation of the rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQHZaK4e8yw/UpbpBEqs85I/AAAAAAAAAPI/OpcDHxT4i40/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQHZaK4e8yw/UpbpBEqs85I/AAAAAAAAAPI/OpcDHxT4i40/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Stairway of the Gods, Pohara<br />
<br />
The climbing in Wanaka is metamorphic and offered a totally different experience. The rock there is called Schist. It has a similar feel to quartzite but visually shares a similar graininess to that of wood. Unlike the rhyolite at Maunganui, and the limestone at Paynes the rock at Wanaka didn't have the same obvious holds and required a keen eye to find the right little incut holds or chunky edges. Also when in the blazing hot sun the rock became quite slick and extra tricky.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osnZI6yyVSM/Upbq21ASMsI/AAAAAAAAAP8/ry0SeSZ1Spw/s1600/IMG_3861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osnZI6yyVSM/Upbq21ASMsI/AAAAAAAAAP8/ry0SeSZ1Spw/s1600/IMG_3861.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
On the Tombstone at Hosptial Flat in Wanaka<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Castle Hill's limestone was unlike any limestone I've ever climbed on. The boulders at Castle Hill are amazing, beautiful, and awesome but, most of the boulders are notoriously under featured and somewhat slick. The boulders are actually a very soft limestone and the exterior of the rocks feature a coating similar to that of stalactite in a cave. The slickness of the rock is partly due to the weathering and erosion of the limestone and the wear and tear of climbers. A lot of the features in Castle Hill are sloppy huecos, scoops and blunt arretes (corners). Positive features are rare at Castle Hill and problems that do have positive holds are mostly polished by the thousands of international climbers like ourselves who don't have the time or patience to learn how to climb highly technical featureless rock. As noted in the guide book most international climbers are shut down hard on what appear to be easy problems. The hardest problem I managed to climb was Quake V4, which I flashed. However, there were plenty of humbling problems that required much more effort to gain the topout. </div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnox25wC6es/UpbrxVJ5omI/AAAAAAAAAQM/ickVNuD0GGQ/s1600/IMG_4019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnox25wC6es/UpbrxVJ5omI/AAAAAAAAAQM/ickVNuD0GGQ/s1600/IMG_4019.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a><br />
Super tricky footwork on Beautiful Edges V4<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsavRHmfAvQ/Upbp8zhMsjI/AAAAAAAAAPo/vVy-GbbInjY/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsavRHmfAvQ/Upbp8zhMsjI/AAAAAAAAAPo/vVy-GbbInjY/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
The yellow streak reveals the soft inner limestone<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-eHMB7gwFU/UpbqMZFPO9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/yLE0vm_Oruk/s1600/IMG_3580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-eHMB7gwFU/UpbqMZFPO9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/yLE0vm_Oruk/s1600/IMG_3580.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sloppy Castle Hill scoops</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCsEZZRJBDI/Upbr8S6NsII/AAAAAAAAAQU/997vgiygOHQ/s1600/IMG_3904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCsEZZRJBDI/Upbr8S6NsII/AAAAAAAAAQU/997vgiygOHQ/s1600/IMG_3904.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
The best route at Coronet Crag<br />
<br />
The only climbing we managed to do around Queenstown is at the Coronet Crag. Although the rock was exactly the same type of rock in Wanaka it was surprisingly loose and sandy. It was well featured though and reminded me of climbing on soft sand stone. Overall itwas really good, well protected and enjoyable. In the 2 days we were there we climbed over 9 routes.<br />
<br />
New Zealanders are also quite bold and adventurous in terms of climbing. Most routes are run out by Canadian Rockies standards. Run out is a term used to describe a route where there is large distances between points of protection (bolts or trad gear). I've seen plenty of routes around 15-20 meters long with 2,3, or maybe 4 bolts (if you're lucky) and the first bolt being very high up. In other climbing areas 5-6 bolts would be pretty standard for this length of route.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've also noticed that some routes become much more run out between the last bolt and the anchor of routes as to say 'You have plenty of bolts below you and you probably won't hit the ground'. Most of the routes are 'safe' as in you won't smoke the ground but you will be going for a ride where your rope will be flossing the air for a little bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlDsc7jU8tE/UpbpBcVeWaI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Na8J-B4IPLE/s1600/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlDsc7jU8tE/UpbpBcVeWaI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Na8J-B4IPLE/s1600/IMG_3144.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On one of the easier routes at Paynes. Note the height of the first bolt.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I distinctly remember freaking out climbing a route called Blockbuster rated 19 which in YDS is about 5.10a/b and was 20 meters tall with 3 bolts. On top rope or in a gym this difficulty would be a nice easy warm up, but with the risk of taking big gnarly falls it requires a certain level of calmness and precision that far surpasses the physical difficulty. The first attempt I made at the route I climbed up to the second bolt, took a good long breather and treaded slowly up to the crux and totally wimped out and needed to down climb and try it again. I went up to the crux again to try to find a different sequence but came to a realization that I would need to make a semi-dynamic move to a edge (that could be sloppy) right below the 3 bolt and risking a 12+meter fall. I down climbed to the second bolt and got lowered down. I chilled out and got back up and committed to the move and the edge was beautiful and after I stuck the move I gained enough confidence to blitz to the top. If this exact same route had 6-7 bolts this wouldn't have been even a noteworthy route, but due to the potential risk of flying through the air it made it much more engaging and rewarding.<br />
<br style="text-align: center;" />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TiQT0d7sLsU/UpbpAL0EKLI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AKbuUxsgbDY/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TiQT0d7sLsU/UpbpAL0EKLI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AKbuUxsgbDY/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
First bolt on Blockbuster<br />
<br />
New Zealand climbing is very humbling and I'm super stoked that I've had an opportunity to sample a good handful of classic routes and boulder problems. If I had to go home tomorrow I'd feel like I've had a great climbing experience. That being said though, I'd love to make another trip to Paynes Ford and Pohara again.Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-68838234057349503492013-10-30T14:39:00.001-07:002013-12-07T16:59:19.647-08:00Mini post: Picton - Gateway to the South Island<div>
After leaving the holiday park, Dave and went to Wellington and picked up Natalie from the airport. Natalie and Dave worked at the Tim Hortons camp together over the summer. She flew in from Australia and also got an interview at the resort Dave and I applied to!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In Wellington, we stayed at Worldwide Backpackers again and got the sweetest room. Mainly because it had a mini loft in it. It took us all a few seconds to figure out where the third bed was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hsTztWGTjjM/Um75t5AJjUI/AAAAAAAAGRg/JgISGJp_ibc/s640/blogger-image--1122411729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hsTztWGTjjM/Um75t5AJjUI/AAAAAAAAGRg/JgISGJp_ibc/s640/blogger-image--1122411729.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dave also tried some golden kiwi! It is not as sweet as green kiwi fruit but still tasty. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3XALmlvnlWw/UnF8kdX2_MI/AAAAAAAAGRw/DxuJmcPodA8/s640/blogger-image-943461567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3XALmlvnlWw/UnF8kdX2_MI/AAAAAAAAGRw/DxuJmcPodA8/s640/blogger-image-943461567.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The day after we got on the ferry to Picton, the gateway to the South Island. You get to see some beautiful ocean and some great landscape. At one point we caught a glimpse of the Kaikoura mountain range in the east coast of the island.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our hostel in Picton, is called the Juggler's Rest. It has a really cool vibe and a very welcoming atmosphere. Nikki, our host came over from England and also used to be a teacher but couldn't find a job in the age group she was trained in. Boy, do I know the feeling! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At our hostel we were greeted with homemade wool socks! There was also a veggie garden, hammocks, fresh free range eggs and grape vines everywhere. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4fwiMlmnsGk/Um73hYVoOII/AAAAAAAAGRM/39q1iCjERHY/s640/blogger-image--581594849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4fwiMlmnsGk/Um73hYVoOII/AAAAAAAAGRM/39q1iCjERHY/s640/blogger-image--581594849.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wk_1XYxXSlA/Um73Z6pMmnI/AAAAAAAAGRE/8wz4_kQmR-Y/s640/blogger-image--1742136542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wk_1XYxXSlA/Um73Z6pMmnI/AAAAAAAAGRE/8wz4_kQmR-Y/s640/blogger-image--1742136542.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During the evening we took advantage of the juggling balls, hula hoops, poi and diablos that were lying around. We also hung out on the hammocks and played around with the slack line for awhile too!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wQA7Jj7AD7c/Um73LQX-3jI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/vkQ8wg-5kyU/s640/blogger-image--429299070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wQA7Jj7AD7c/Um73LQX-3jI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/vkQ8wg-5kyU/s640/blogger-image--429299070.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dave also made friends with the resident cat if course. =) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d6XgWe-nWKA/Um73G122LHI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/zHgQA8-0suo/s640/blogger-image-1524429933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d6XgWe-nWKA/Um73G122LHI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/zHgQA8-0suo/s640/blogger-image-1524429933.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
For breakfast, we had freshly baked bread, homemade jam, coffee and fresh grape juice, prepared by our host. The juice was so sweet and delicious with no sugar added! It was a great way to wake up! Afterwards, we hung out and lounged around in the sun like little kitty cats before our interview. We will be off in a few minutes so I better go! </div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-85884790186060772942013-10-23T16:22:00.001-07:002013-10-24T17:11:33.023-07:00Our First Work ExchangeDave and I did our first work exchange at a place called Tongariro Holiday Park. We worked two hours a day, seven days a week in exchange for accommodation for most of the month of October 2013. Holiday parks are something we have never encountered until we came to New Zealand. They are a sort of campground and hostel all bundled up into one.<br />
<br />
These holiday parks are everywhere in NZ and Australia and offer different types of accommodation to people. This includes camping (in a tent), car camping (in an RV, van, campervan etc.), rooms with or without an ensuite bathroom or a self-contained unit (kitchen, bathroom and bedroom all in one place!). If you are not in a self-contained unit, you use a communal kitchen and bathrooms. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3K-TjzUfQsw/UmdTFAR-sxI/AAAAAAAAGHk/5IwEEi9ZOLU/s640/blogger-image--1392188850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3K-TjzUfQsw/UmdTFAR-sxI/AAAAAAAAGHk/5IwEEi9ZOLU/s640/blogger-image--1392188850.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bL08AiZwarQ/Umgm5ZdmEKI/AAAAAAAAGJI/_TEOEBV9Xn0/s640/blogger-image-633934021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bL08AiZwarQ/Umgm5ZdmEKI/AAAAAAAAGJI/_TEOEBV9Xn0/s640/blogger-image-633934021.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabins...and forest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3_uj_A6MNc/UmeXyWqdzpI/AAAAAAAAGIM/vIZ0lkD0pK0/s1600/IMGP2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3_uj_A6MNc/UmeXyWqdzpI/AAAAAAAAGIM/vIZ0lkD0pK0/s1600/IMGP2376.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Most places have that something extra too like pools, trampolines, playgrounds, thermal pools and giant pillows. Dave and I have stayed in a few already in NZ, and they are a pretty unique place to stay, in our opinion. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our hosts, Greg and Donna and their two sons have been here for about eight years. They have been super nice (most Kiwis are) and have shared a lot about Kiwi culture and the area we are in. They even put us in charge of this place and left for the beach within a week of meeting us!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSak0ZvgpxE/UmeXw4tXeHI/AAAAAAAAGIA/ON5XX1Nka24/s1600/IMGP2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSak0ZvgpxE/UmeXw4tXeHI/AAAAAAAAGIA/ON5XX1Nka24/s1600/IMGP2377.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zPc392GkZk/UmeXwtknw8I/AAAAAAAAGH8/i3b8QjSiJ3U/s1600/IMGP2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zPc392GkZk/UmeXwtknw8I/AAAAAAAAGH8/i3b8QjSiJ3U/s1600/IMGP2378.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They also have a commercial grade espresso machine in the kitchen for their own personal use... I don't know what Dave and I are going to do for coffee when we go back to Canada... but I'll save that for another day...</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Our days consisted of waking up around 8:30 am, having breakfast, then cleaning for around two hours. We would clean the bathrooms and showers, then move onto the kitchen. Sometimes we would need to clean a few rooms, and make some beds. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2YAB7HIJZ_E/Umgl4AZO5bI/AAAAAAAAGJA/9gf0NW2lnRw/s640/blogger-image-1619920151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2YAB7HIJZ_E/Umgl4AZO5bI/AAAAAAAAGJA/9gf0NW2lnRw/s400/blogger-image-1619920151.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cabin. Bit of a tight space, but we were thankful to have it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Greg and Donna put a lot of effort into making their rooms look great. Trying to copy their work was extremely frustrating for me. I obviously know how to make a bed, but to make a bed look as nice as Greg and Donna's bed was tedious and a total pain in my ass! I would spend way too much time adjusting the sheets and tugging on ends, trying to get all the wrinkles out. Then comes the pillows... They had to be propped up just right, otherwise they would look sad and lumpy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5y6Q0yYM9g/UmeaxqwjsFI/AAAAAAAAGIg/paK1GDMXRs4/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5y6Q0yYM9g/UmeaxqwjsFI/AAAAAAAAGIg/paK1GDMXRs4/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being here for a month gave us time to do this! View of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Mount Nguaruhoe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After cleaning, if the weather was good, Dave and I would go hiking in Tongariro National Park. In our first week here, we hiked around 50 km of trails. We had time to get on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing three times. We only did the whole thing once, but we also attempted to summit Mount Nguaruhoe. Dave succeeded but I did not.<br />
<br />
During the rest of our time here, the weather wasn't as nice as the first week. It rained quite a bit and got quite windy. There were a few days here where it was hovering around 4 degrees. You would think as a Canadian, this wouldn't feel so cold to us, but when it's damp AND cold outside, it feels way colder. Definitely wish I had my down jacket here for those days. Thankfully summer is coming, and we (hopefully) won't be needing a ton of warm clothes for much longer.<br />
<br />
Dave says, when it rains it feels like Soviet Russia. This is mainly because we are about a 25 minute drive from the nearest town and when the weather is poor nobody comes to the holiday park. The nearby town, Tarangi, also has very little in the form of entertainment and is not really worth the drive if you're bored. It was also the closest place to get groceries. Prices were generally more expensive than other grocery stores, but the other grocery stores were an hour drive away in Taupo. We did find a delicious fish and chips place in Tarangi called the Grand Central Fry. We could both eat well for $11, which is cheap by NZ standards! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ETAYX6o9cRc/UmdTaixRi2I/AAAAAAAAGHs/KSip57IUgOo/s640/blogger-image--1624000537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ETAYX6o9cRc/UmdTaixRi2I/AAAAAAAAGHs/KSip57IUgOo/s320/blogger-image--1624000537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We also found an SPCA fundraiser book sale in Tarangi where Dave and I were able to buy four books for about eight dollars. New books here are even more expensive than they are in Canada unfortunately, so this was like a gold mine! </div>
<div>
<br />
Overall, it was a pretty good experience. It was a great break from driving around for a month, and now we are ready to hit the road again. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-32588600735599736452013-10-21T17:31:00.000-07:002013-10-24T18:02:09.510-07:00Hiking Around Tongariro National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KDcEOrlIlB8/UmQ8IIQEe-I/AAAAAAAAF8A/kQS5so_mp1I/s640/blogger-image-1442927361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hiking around Tongariro National Park has been a pretty cool experience! Hiking around volcanoes, active thermal vents and craters has been quite surreal. It's been great being so close to the park. We have had to drive anywhere from 2 minutes to 40 minutes to get to the hikes around here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tongariro is the oldest national park in New Zealand, and the area holds many sacred Maori sites along with some active volcanoes. For the skiers out there, this is also where New Zealand's largest ski area is located on Mount Ruahepu below! The ski season here usually runs from June to the end of October. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7nZW31aC6E/UmTwr_XqY_I/AAAAAAAAF80/R_7V0WxxIKA/s1600/IMGP2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7nZW31aC6E/UmTwr_XqY_I/AAAAAAAAF80/R_7V0WxxIKA/s1600/IMGP2264.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Tama Lake with Mount Ruahepu in the background. It has very little snow on it right now! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It's interesting because the trails are all really well developed and maintained, but the touristy, commercial part of things was less so. I came here with my Canadian Rockies bias expecting a sort of 'Canmore' and 'Banff' type towns to be established here, but that was not the case! Don't get me wrong though, Tongariro National Park is a popular destination for Kiwis and international tourists. There are tour companies, and a variety of accommodation options, but it all seems so minimal when you are used to the Rockies! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One of the best parts about hiking around here are the signs and trail markers. The trails here are marked with poles when things get confusing. At trailheads and trail junctions, there are signs that tell you where to go and how long it will take you to get there! It's amazing! Never be confused again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2oXQp_7wfzs/UmQ8SCcSKeI/AAAAAAAAF8I/annYZFEKJ3k/s640/blogger-image-2013074169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2oXQp_7wfzs/UmQ8SCcSKeI/AAAAAAAAF8I/annYZFEKJ3k/s400/blogger-image-2013074169.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dave and I also went into one of the backcountry huts we passed by and they look so cozy! I've never been in a backcountry hut in Canada, so I have nothing to compare it to. This one was on the Whakapatiti Valley trail. They also collect rain water outside so there is always a freshwater supply somewhere. You still need to filter it though! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e-3-OfCEDJc/UmQ8W9hMIVI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/vkHGGftj8x4/s640/blogger-image-1529448286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e-3-OfCEDJc/UmQ8W9hMIVI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/vkHGGftj8x4/s400/blogger-image-1529448286.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the nicer huts on the Great Walks, there are hot showers, flushing toilets, and gas stoves that you can use. You obviously pay more, but, yes, you can have a HOT SHOWER in the backcountry. Crazy talk! I know!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEEDDsVtGKw/UmUKXE_0_PI/AAAAAAAAF_8/1f06fLFBv44/s1600/IMGP2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEEDDsVtGKw/UmUKXE_0_PI/AAAAAAAAF_8/1f06fLFBv44/s1600/IMGP2225.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twaihai Falls - A short 20 minute walk, and a LOTR set location! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, like I am, you really get the feeling that you are in Rohan and in Mordor. Peter Jackson did an amazing job showcasing New Zealand's natural beauty in the movies. Dave and I went on a hike to Twahai Falls (above), and didn't even realize we were at one of the set locations! </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-MKQ20uwbQ/UmUI_mzCQGI/AAAAAAAAF_w/3JVcuCM3d08/s1600/IMGP2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-MKQ20uwbQ/UmUI_mzCQGI/AAAAAAAAF_w/3JVcuCM3d08/s1600/IMGP2374.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lagoon we encountered in the middle of a Ohinetonga Walking Track. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One distinct track we went on was called Ohinetonga Walking Track. It's only four kilometers, and has very little view, but the forest you walk through is breathtaking. It was so dense, and lush...two words that don't really do it justice, but it was just amazing and beautiful. It was also the scene of a rather dramatic pond crossing...but you can ask Dave about that one!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyOnYU7_y_0/UmWe-QlleyI/AAAAAAAAGGw/msB6QNTA78Q/s1600/IMGP2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyOnYU7_y_0/UmWe-QlleyI/AAAAAAAAGGw/msB6QNTA78Q/s1600/IMGP2368.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohinetonga Walking Track</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1d7HYFkYH8U/UmWf9S9PG7I/AAAAAAAAGGo/9PzAj7m3D-0/s1600/IMGP2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1d7HYFkYH8U/UmWf9S9PG7I/AAAAAAAAGGo/9PzAj7m3D-0/s1600/IMGP2370.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohinetonga Walking Track</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That being said, if you are planning to go hiking in New Zealand, here are a few tips from me to you:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Be prepared!! Check the weather. Ask questions at the info center. Bring the right gear!</li>
<li>Do not ignore the warnings and track closures you come across. Dave and I have learned that the Department of Conservation does not sugar coat things nor do they over exaggerate their warnings. </li>
<li>The weather DOES turn on a dime here, and you can just <b>assume that it will rain</b>. If it doesn't rain, you will probably be hiking in a cloud at some point, so bring your rain gear anyway! If it just rained, bring your gaiters. There will be mud and puddles, and it will be slippery.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uNpNQJ5NAM/UmebuYcuR3I/AAAAAAAAGI0/fpP3eqj8ygI/s1600/IMGP2400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uNpNQJ5NAM/UmebuYcuR3I/AAAAAAAAGI0/fpP3eqj8ygI/s1600/IMGP2400.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring your gaiters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully this has given you a nice taste of what Tongariro National Park has to offer. I can't wait to explore the mountains on the South Island! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1379945_10153355913365322_1894281097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1379945_10153355913365322_1894281097_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the rain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5y6Q0yYM9g/UmeaxqwjsFI/AAAAAAAAGIk/5eAmujqGpuA/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5y6Q0yYM9g/UmeaxqwjsFI/AAAAAAAAGIk/5eAmujqGpuA/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Mount Nguaruhoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy tramping!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-7614862364082707362013-10-11T01:59:00.004-07:002013-10-11T03:04:29.970-07:00Tongariro Alpine CrossingMichelle: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is supposed to be New Zealand's greatest day walk, and it delivered!<br />
<br />
Our day started at 7:15 am on the <a href="http://www.tongariroexpeditions.com/" target="_blank">Tongariro Expeditions</a> shuttle bus from the holiday park we were working at. Jarod, the driver and owner, was quite possibly the most enthusiastic person I'd ever met. He made the short bus ride so exciting and genuinely loved what he was doing. Within minutes of meeting Dave and I, he offered up his place in Taupo because Dave mentioned he wanted to try the trout fishing in Lake Taupo.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dave: Jarod was also quite the showman on the buses PA system. In Jarod's words seeing Mt.Taranaki in the distance was 'the shizzle', the day was going to be a 'stunna' and just about every was 'sweet as'. He also mentioned to me how much he loves the Tongariro area. Jarod was quite open and mentioned that he had buried both of his children's afterbirth (placenta and umbilical cords) beneath trees of significance. I found this very interesting and I did a little Google search and it's a Maori practice that is suppose to establish a connection between the newborn child and the land of their birth<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 22px;">.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">I find it </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">interesting how much the Maori culture has permeated the dominant western culture here. In Canada I think it would be fair to say it would be very rare to hear about any non-first nation person practicing rituals of the First Nations people. </span></span></div>
<br />
Michelle: I think that is one of the most amazing thing we have discovered about Kiwis, they are genuinely nice, honest and trusting. We've been treated so well by everyone we've met, offered beer, wine, food, coffee and shelter!<br />
<br />
It was a beautiful, clear day, and the temperature was tolerable. From the beginning of the track, we could see Mount Taranaki off in the distance, on the west coast of New Zealand.<br />
<br />
Because a storm was forecasted for later in the afternoon, Jarod recommended everyone skip the side trips to the summits of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. We decided to take his expert advice, as he'd been shuttling people to and from the walks for twenty years. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1375319_10151750153263893_1852917972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1375319_10151750153263893_1852917972_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The beginning of the walk. <span style="text-align: start;">Mount Ngauruhoe is right in front of us. This was taken a week and a half before we did the entire walk, so there is more snow.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The trail starts off pretty flat. The first hour is a nice walk with some beautiful scenery. The board walks made it even nicer. Just like their roads, the boardwalks never allowed us to actually walk in a straight line for very long. After that, the fun really begins. The next section is called the Devil's staircase. It takes about an hour to do, and yes, it is all stairs!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1377431_10153311945790322_953693691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1377431_10153311945790322_953693691_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Near the summit of the crossing. <span style="text-align: start;">Mount Ngauruhoe is behind us with considerably less snow than a week and a half ago! It was quite cold and windy up here! Also note how inflated our pants look, it's because of the rip roaring gail force winds.<br /></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once you reach the top of the Devil's Staircase, you pass by the base of Mount Ngauruhoe, which is about a 3 hour side trip. You can only do it safely on a clear day. Clouds surround the peak quickly and make the trail very dangerous due to poor visibility. It is all scree, and apparently, many people have been hurt by falling rocks and lost their way due to the poor weather. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that you cross the South Crater, which is a vast, flat, muddy bowl-like area. It was also once an active volcanic area. Afterwards, you start climbing again, this time on a ridge. There was considerably less snow on the ridge this time, but it was much windier! It was supposed to be 35 km/h winds, but it felt like more... Dave and I both forgot our gloves too! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1375028_10153311945800322_268483719_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1375028_10153311945800322_268483719_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost at the summit and feeling very cold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At this point, I was feeling a little panicky. The trail still had some ice on it, and it was quite narrow on the ridge. My hands were hurting because it was so cold, and I had to decide between having my hands in my pockets or using my poles to help me stay upright. With the windchill, it got down to minus nine degrees and it definitely caught Dave and I a little off guard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you approach the summit, the Red Crater appears to the right. It's basically a big red gaping hole in the earth that was steaming. Unfortunately, it was difficult to capture it all on camera. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQmzDh1JkK4/UlezKn6k4fI/AAAAAAAAF38/kWd6U9yJ_rE/s1600/IMG_2608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQmzDh1JkK4/UlezKn6k4fI/AAAAAAAAF38/kWd6U9yJ_rE/s400/IMG_2608.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for those eruptions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHY1jkPNlqQ/UlezoqpV6PI/AAAAAAAAF4E/DhVdODhbhZ0/s1600/IMG_2615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHY1jkPNlqQ/UlezoqpV6PI/AAAAAAAAF4E/DhVdODhbhZ0/s640/IMG_2615.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">To the right of me is the Red Crater. It is still active, and there were gases (sulphur smelling) being released everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Right below you, you can see the Emerald Lakes, and a big blue lake in the distance. This is definitely the highlight of the hike. The views are stunning, and the landscape looks alien-like. This was also the beginning of the descent. The slope to the lake was soft soil, and felt like scree. Dave and I ran down the trail quickly and had lunch down at the bottom. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE2qPbocO1U/Ulez8tZFruI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/4PRsE4ABZ0w/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE2qPbocO1U/Ulez8tZFruI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/4PRsE4ABZ0w/s320/IMG_2658.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Emerald Lakes. Dave and I ran down the scree-like surface. It was awesome!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To get to Blue Lake, you cross the Central Crater. You can see it behind me in the photo below. The snow in the picture also highlights some old lava flow. It was so unbelievably cool! Once you pass the Blue Lake, you begin the long descent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBpYIP2Jb7g/Ulez_zStcPI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/lImVlID4Eo0/s1600/IMG_2729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBpYIP2Jb7g/Ulez_zStcPI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/lImVlID4Eo0/s320/IMG_2729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around kilometer 11. The Red Crater and summit of the crossing is just above my left shoulder. I was so cold, I decided to wear my extra pair of socks as mittens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The trail to the Ketetahi carpark passes through some rolling hills and by the Te Mari crater. There is also a backcountry hut that is close. Not sure why, but it looked as if it was damaged when the Te Mari crater erupted. Along the trail, you can see where some pieces of rock landed, and some were quite close to the hut!<br />
<br />
The descent seemed endless to Dave and I, and we were also being chased by the storm. Every time we turned around, more and more of the peaks behind us had been engulfed in the clouds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/988734_10151766189298893_493462106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/988734_10151766189298893_493462106_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In August of 2012, the Te Mari erupted and blew off the top of this hill. It has been steaming ever since! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrzvgYisY-U/Uleyxf6STXI/AAAAAAAAF30/LC4xq2149aQ/s1600/IMG_2750+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrzvgYisY-U/Uleyxf6STXI/AAAAAAAAF30/LC4xq2149aQ/s640/IMG_2750+Panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">View from the descent. You can see Lake Taupo, Lake </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Rotoraira in the distance. The Te Mari crater is also on the right.</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily, it did not rain really hard until we reached the end of the trail. My left knee was quite sore by the end of it, and Dave got a wicked blister on his little toe, but other than that, we survived! We started on the trail around 8 am and ended our 19.4 km journey at 2:45 pm. The ascent to the summit was 750 meters, and the descent was a gruelling 1100 meters. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dave and I agree, this is definitely one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever been on. The changes in landscape as we progressed through the hike were incredible. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting New Zealand!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Makes me wonder what people would consider the best hike in Canada! It's hard for me to choose, and I welcome your opinions! What would you say is the best hike in Canada, or any other country, for that matter?<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-62833979317973995342013-09-29T20:45:00.001-07:002013-12-07T16:59:54.333-08:00Limbo land. <div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Since arriving in New Zealand we have been all over the place. The trip at first seemed to be following a very linear progression. We got our bank accounts set up, we applied for our IRD numbers, we applied for jobs, we bought a car, I had two promising interviews for well paid jobs related to my education and work experience and since then things have been odd. After having the two interviews (one in Wellington and one in Auckland) we have been trying to occupy ourselves the best we can. Although it sounds like that would be pretty easy it's pretty much expensive to do anything. Gas is $2.24 per litre, eating a meal at a cafe is $15 per person, accommodation in a hostel is usually $35 per person and mostly everything else is pricey and adds up quickly. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWQIhbbxCWw/UkjxYMTLcII/AAAAAAAAAOc/cV1ZkuAJa1I/s1600/IMG_2384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWQIhbbxCWw/UkjxYMTLcII/AAAAAAAAAOc/cV1ZkuAJa1I/s1600/IMG_2384.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">After spending two weeks driving around the North Island and seeing some pretty amazing things (Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Mt.Mauganui, Rotarua, Lake Taupo, and more) I have only received feedback from the Wellington job and they said that I was barely edged out by someone else who was a little bit more prepared for the work at hand, apparently. It's been nearly three weeks and I'm yet to hear anything back from the position in Auckland despite my phone calls and emails to multiple contacts at this particular organization. This puts Michelle and I in a uncomfortable situation, where we are chewing through our money and having to question the implications of taking on other opportunities. <br />
<br />
For many days we questioned whether or not we should try to find work at a hostel or holiday park in exchange for accommodation. We met with a frumpy hostel owner in Mt.Maunagani and never heard back from them and after that we decided to call up a holiday park (motel/ campsite) just outside Tongariro National Park (Mordor). They sounded very warm and we stoked to have us come work 2 hrs a day for 3-4 weeks accommodation. We thought that it would be in or near a little town or village but it’s essentially off by itself in the middle of no where. It’s a 10 km drive to the nearest town Taurangi which is underwhelming to say the least. <br />
<br />
Yesterday we were shown how to clean the showers, bathrooms and kitchen and it was as easy as it sounds. Afterwards we went on two small hikes in the National Park which were nice, but the weather was cold, windy and the clouds shrouded all the mountain vistas. The landscape here is very different. It’s a mix of desert and volcanic mountains. Definitely way different than back home, but it’s such a vast empty landscape that really isn’t as inspiring as it sounds. <br />
<br />
Today we did our morning cleaning in just over an hour and we are currently the only people aside from the owners who are residing at the holiday park. It feels isolated, rural, cold and lonely out here. Michelle and I have really been wondering if coming out here to work for accommodation was the best decision. Although it’s eliminated the cost of accommodation it isn’t really doing much for helping us find some kind of fun or meaningful work. Finding work hasn't been quite as easy as we thought it had been and Michelle is hesitant to look for teaching work until we find an area that we really want to live in for a good portion or the remainder of our stay here in New Zealand. We are both feeling a bit homesick as well. <br />
<br />
I have come face to face with the fundamentals of what matters the most, having loving friends and family that you can pass your time with and to have a sense of purpose within your community. Although Michelle and I have each other I feel like both of us are yearning for some quality social time and a sense of duty and purpose beyond cleaning a mostly empty holiday park out in the middle of no where. I know this may sound negative, but I feel like it’s just revealing how much we both have back home that we take for granted. I mentioned this sentiment in a conversation about Grande Prairie I had with Michelle yesterday as we were hiking. Grande Prairie isn’t by any means the best and more impressive place i’ve ever been to, but when I was there I had a great job/practicum that had influence on the community and I made some friends that were absolutely outstanding. With just these two attributes I was able to look past some of the short comings of Grande Prairie as a city. So far New Zealand has been in some ways been the opposite. New Zealand has some beautiful cities, amazing sights to see, plenty of activities but without having a social network and a job the experience lacks the depth that I wish it had. Hopefully within the next few weeks we have something figured out and this feeling with have past. </span></div>
Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-89728203897759619772013-09-23T01:15:00.000-07:002013-09-23T01:16:48.306-07:00Kiwi As!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imzR0o8arUw/Uj_3q4OS8XI/AAAAAAAAFwo/d5C7Q785yJs/s1600/IMG_2043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imzR0o8arUw/Uj_3q4OS8XI/AAAAAAAAFwo/d5C7Q785yJs/s320/IMG_2043.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Two things Kiwi's are famous for: rugby and hobbits. Two things we did in one day!<br />
<br />
After Dave's interview in Wellington, we made the seven and a half hour trek (524 km) back to Hamilton. Hamilton is a city that is landlocked (too bad...) but still has some beautiful walks along the Waikato River.<br />
<br />
Dave and I stayed at a holiday park there, which is a very common thing in New Zealand. They are places where you can mostly park your RV, but you can also stay in little cabins with our without bathrooms or you can stay in your own little apartment style cabin with a kitchen and bathroom. We chose to car camp, which as the receptionist told us, was very 'brave' of us. It was after all the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring, and a balmy 15 degrees Celsius during the day. When you camp, you can use the communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. Some holiday parks (not this one) also have pools, saunas (aka hot tubs), giant bouncy pillows and nice cozy lounges.<br />
<br />
After a cozy night in the back of our Subaru, we headed to a little family farm outside of a town called Matamata (so good they named it twice!). On our way there, I almost killed Dave and I by taking a corner too quickly... and veered a little too far over to the right. That's the scary thing about driving in New Zealand. A lot of their car accidents involve tourists driving. It was definitely a wake up call!!<br />
<br />
When you arrive at Hobbiton, it looks very much like a farm, which it is. It was a farm converted into a movie set (for Lord of the Rings), back to a farm, and then back to a movie set/tourist attraction (for the Hobbit). The family that owns it actually has three sons, one looks after the farm, the other looks after the movie set business, and the third is an accountant.<br />
<br />
After we secured our seat on the tour bus, Dave and I sat down to have second breakfast at the cafe at the entrance. There is also a store where you can buy set goodies, like Gandalf's staff, the Evenstar (Arwen's jewel), and The Ring in various forms of metals. I REALLY REALLY wanted a ring, but they were insanely expensive... $185 for the basic ring, no chain...or you could get a legit gold ring on a gold necklace for a measly $800... one day... my precious...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2ok-V-m6Ok/UjE59vclY9I/AAAAAAAAFpM/uKMWWS5IehU/s1600/IMGP2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2ok-V-m6Ok/UjE59vclY9I/AAAAAAAAFpM/uKMWWS5IehU/s1600/IMGP2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Gandalf's Gap and our guide. Frodo and Gandalf ride through here on a cart in The Fellowship of the Ring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our guide was named Sam (Haha!!) and he had a ring, on a necklace. He was a great guide and made sure we all had plenty of time to take pictures. Everyone on the tour was quite excited, including Dave and I. It was everything we had hoped it would be.<br />
<br />
Some interesting facts about Hobbiton:<br />
<ul>
<li>The set is maintained by the people who actually worked on it for the films. </li>
<li>The family who owns the farm is working on the rights for their guides to dress up as hobbits. As of right now, the licensing agreement is too expensive (in the millions...)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V92Tkcwj3dY/UjE6Lfto1MI/AAAAAAAAFpc/lu6-B1aGoCQ/s1600/IMGP2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V92Tkcwj3dY/UjE6Lfto1MI/AAAAAAAAFpc/lu6-B1aGoCQ/s1600/IMGP2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hobbit holes! Look at that garden!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The set is worth $80 million. The set is still owned by the film company. </li>
<li>There is a $2 million tree on set that was handmade for the Hobbit. It sits on top of Bag End. It was handmade for the Hobbit. </li>
<li>None of the Hobbit holes are developed, all interior shots were shot in Wellington.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdAvSxhy4-k/UjE6sbD5fSI/AAAAAAAAFqA/G-EGatudT0Y/s1600/IMGP2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdAvSxhy4-k/UjE6sbD5fSI/AAAAAAAAFqA/G-EGatudT0Y/s1600/IMGP2030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">More of Hobbiton. Bag End is under the scraggly looking tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>It took Peter Jackson two years to find the location for shooting. All the fences and buildings in the distance were edited out during shooting.</li>
<li>We were not allowed to get too close to Bag End in case they had to do some emergency filming for the Hobbit.</li>
<li>The Green Dragon serves beer and cider exclusively brewed for the set location. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qd-zGLtYx0A/UjE63ufmzFI/AAAAAAAAFqM/7q_yAtaO4bQ/s1600/IMGP2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qd-zGLtYx0A/UjE63ufmzFI/AAAAAAAAFqM/7q_yAtaO4bQ/s1600/IMGP2031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Something for the tourists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>It will blow your mind!</li>
<li>The party tree is turning 111 years old next year, when the third Hobbit movie comes out. That's the same age as Bilbo! </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SljFlo4vsRw/UjE7Ao3S_iI/AAAAAAAAFqc/kgKyPh7S_t8/s1600/IMGP2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SljFlo4vsRw/UjE7Ao3S_iI/AAAAAAAAFqc/kgKyPh7S_t8/s1600/IMGP2042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Party Field.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPxb578IOVA/UjE7Ba6eswI/AAAAAAAAFqg/wc9hE40iSRU/s1600/IMGP2037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPxb578IOVA/UjE7Ba6eswI/AAAAAAAAFqg/wc9hE40iSRU/s1600/IMGP2037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bag End!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OaVbJ1RBFg/UjE7SUYc_bI/AAAAAAAAFq8/NYkkXyH7Vrk/s1600/IMGP2062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OaVbJ1RBFg/UjE7SUYc_bI/AAAAAAAAFq8/NYkkXyH7Vrk/s1600/IMGP2062.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Green Dragon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx8STiQhXM4/UjE7f1YdA5I/AAAAAAAAFrU/x_1GuHWTMiI/s1600/IMGP2064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx8STiQhXM4/UjE7f1YdA5I/AAAAAAAAFrU/x_1GuHWTMiI/s1600/IMGP2064.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Dragon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_nVM40ZC8Y/UjE8HAqZ3MI/AAAAAAAAFsc/bbQ1x467RHs/s1600/IMGP2096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_nVM40ZC8Y/UjE8HAqZ3MI/AAAAAAAAFsc/bbQ1x467RHs/s1600/IMGP2096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnW1cz_q2dw/UjE76AHYJrI/AAAAAAAAFsM/FyS-Y0v7YiA/s1600/IMGP2082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnW1cz_q2dw/UjE76AHYJrI/AAAAAAAAFsM/FyS-Y0v7YiA/s1600/IMGP2082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After Hobbiton, we headed back to town for lunch. Dave and I had bought tickets to the All Black's game in Hamilton that evening. It was actually the first sporting event Dave and I have ever been to together. We've been dating for four and a half years! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_2070613547"></span><span id="goog_2070613548"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-855l3YPvemA/Uj_3pwSnc9I/AAAAAAAAFwk/jwU8OCWdq44/s1600/IMG_2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-855l3YPvemA/Uj_3pwSnc9I/AAAAAAAAFwk/jwU8OCWdq44/s400/IMG_2052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We walked to the stadium and were amazed by how many Argentinian fans there were! The atmosphere was quite electric! We also bought All Black's toques to try to fit in. Everyone was sporting some sort of fan gear. When we got there I decided to have an 'All American hot dog'. This consisted of an odd tasting hot dog covered in fried onions and a bit of cheese. It was not what I was expecting. Dave and I splurged on covered seats that were a little further back, which turned out well because it rained for 80% of the game. Of course, I also missed the awesome pre-game fireworks while I was waiting in line at the bathroom. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWgeDxrXDN0/UjE8M73YVyI/AAAAAAAAFss/p0Ul7pnAQ68/s1600/IMGP2101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWgeDxrXDN0/UjE8M73YVyI/AAAAAAAAFss/p0Ul7pnAQ68/s1600/IMGP2101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not usually one for sitting and watching sports, but rugby (and occasionally hockey) is an exception!! It's so much fun to watch, and to hear the crowd react to all the plays. Dave and I didn't really know the rules, but we oo'ed, aah'ed and boo'ed along with the crowd. The result was not surprising, because apparently the All Black's haven't lost since 2009. Overall, a really fun experience. There is only one game left in the season, but there is always next year! Oh, and did you know Canada has a rugby team? Who knew?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-21336226298013757862013-09-11T03:54:00.001-07:002013-12-07T17:00:52.193-08:00So you want to do a working holiday, eh? 14 useful travel tips.<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">( Beware, I haven't written for a while and you could encounter some dreadful grammatical errors. Please read at own discretion.) <br /><br />1.) Take your money with you!..(or an adequate amount for large planned purchases)</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />If you are planning on making a purchase of over $2000 on say a car, you are going to come across some difficulties when trying to make an online transfer from you Canadian bank account to your new foreign account. Either it will limit the amount of money you can transfer per day, week or month, or it will cost a lot of money to make an international transfer. Plus you may not be able to transfer from your domestic account to your international account at all. This can all be surpassed if you just take your money with you. Risky it may seem, but if you are traveling to a relatively safe country baring the risk surpasses the inconveniences it creates. You can also use third party international transfer companies to transfer your money but it seems to be less safe and takes upwards of 2-3 business days. Plus, it just feels sketchy to be handing off your hard earned cash to some unknown third party even if they are a legitimate business. <br />
<br />
2.) The post office</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Michelle and I spent some time online trying to find the correct forms to get our IRD (SIN) numbers once we found them we printed them at the local library for 50cents a page. Little did we know if we walked a block to the local post office they were free. I think between the two of us there was about 12 pages that we printed for no reason. Also New Zealand post offices have other useful and free resources that are actually useful. We also picked up a sheet that is kinda like a bill of sale/registration sheet for the car which was also free. So, make sure you stop at a post office it could be useful.<br />
<br />
3.) Unlock your phone</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Before leaving I never really understood what unlocking really even meant. This essentially is a fee you pay your cell phone provider and it allows your phone to then be hooked up to any cellular provider around the world. I had to pay about $30 with telus to have my iphone 4 unlocked and allowed me to use the same phone which is great. Didn’t need to buy a new phone, didn’t have to re-add a million numbers, still have all my music etc etc. It’s just a good thing. </div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<br />
4.) Day old pies</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />This is very New Zealand specific but it’s still a good tip regardless of where you’re traveling. Here in NZ pies are the medium of choice for eating food. Chicken pies, Steak pies, vegetable pies, and they are all pretty awesome, and best of all you can usually find day old pies for cheap. I’ve found them for as low as $2nz, which is cheap considering the average cheap lunch in NZ runs about $14. These pies are usually the size of your fist and are a good(ish) meal replacement, which is perfect if you are on the go trying to save money. I’m sure you can find other day old goodies as well in any country. I know for a fact in Canmore, Ab you can always get awesome day old bagels for cheap. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEeffvXXcsE/UjA_PUdaWCI/AAAAAAAAANs/AoiJ-Kcy9l0/s1600/IMG_2413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEeffvXXcsE/UjA_PUdaWCI/AAAAAAAAANs/AoiJ-Kcy9l0/s1600/IMG_2413.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> A day old meat pie makes this girl smile.<br />
<br />
5.) Rain Jacket</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />Coming from the prairies rain isn’t really a thing we have to deal with. Even if it does rain it’s usually for short intense bursts and everyone just wings it. We run from car to building or building to building and hopefully it’s finished raining by the next time we go outside and most times it’s done within 30mins. Elsewhere in the world rain can be an everyday ongoing occurrence and NZ is no exception, especially in the ‘winter’ time. Having a nice comfortable water proof jacket, and ideally one made from gortex material goes a long way. It’s ultimately makes a huge difference in the quality of your experience and general mood. Plus with a few layers underneath it can be used in very harsh cold conditions which may save you from having to pack a winter jacket. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWdLlOCmYKg/UjA_S8czksI/AAAAAAAAAN8/R92kvxmdjHE/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWdLlOCmYKg/UjA_S8czksI/AAAAAAAAAN8/R92kvxmdjHE/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> My relatively new Arc'terxy Beta has been superb<br />
<br />
6.) Permanent address </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />There is a sequence of events that needs to happen if you want to live and work in another country. If you want to work abroad you need to have an IRD(SIN) number and a bank account and for all that to happen you need a permanent address. Contact the hostel you will be staying at for the first few days/weeks and confirm that they will write you a letter confirming that their address is your permanent address, otherwise find a different hostel.<br /><br />7.) Update your Resume/CV</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">When moving abroad employers are going to notice your phone number, and address straight away as it's usually right next to your name on the front page. This is a huge determinant of who is going to make the short list for interviews. Most employers aren't going to be willing to jump though the many hoops (time zones, long distance charges, people without proper visas, people without IRD numbers etc) to hire you even if you are highly qualified. Even if you are within the country if you don't update these two simple things it's going to make finding a worthwhile job very difficult. <br />
<br />8.) Bring your outdoor gear</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />In NZ specialized imported goods are pricey. A petzl climbing harness back home is usually about $70cnd and here it is $180nz. This is simply redonkulous, and it's well worth it to pay for an extra checked bag even if you only go climbing/hiking/etc a few times. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUyNyrqvx8M/UjA-5udeV3I/AAAAAAAAANc/uL5y66ixfus/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUyNyrqvx8M/UjA-5udeV3I/AAAAAAAAANc/uL5y66ixfus/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JG-3BkPS9Js/UjA_ozCCIrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/vCY7S6OnHU8/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JG-3BkPS9Js/UjA_ozCCIrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/vCY7S6OnHU8/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> An amazing day out climbing at Mt.Maunganui.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<br />9.) Compression Bags</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />Buy some compression bags. I prefer to have one for each type of clothing to create a simple organized backpack and you can bring a lot more clothing. Plus with compression bags there is the added benefit of having them in another bag that is either water resistant or water proof, which will come in handy if you plan on doing any camping or trekking around.<br />
<br />10.) Don’t let other people touch your shit! </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
When you travel your life is dependent on what you have in your bags. When Michelle and I sluggishly slopped off the plane in Honolulu a very keen caffeinated Japanese shuttle driver was stoked to have won our business as we agreed to use his shuttle. He then continued to grab Michelle’s bag and quickly walked ahead of us not telling us where exactly we were going with her bag. I was busy carrying two backpacks weighing in at about 55lbs and Michelle was wearing her backpack and carrying a 20lbs duffel bag and we were completely at his mercy at this point. Sure if bad came to worse I could drop everything and tackle the guy, but then I would have literally left all of my stuff randomly in a dark American parking lot, which isn’t ideal. So just say NO! to people who want to touch your stuff.<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<br />
11.) Bring the macbook</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />You don’t need to buy a special converter or a new cord just get the slide in plug that is appropriate for your region. Sure you will have less reach with your charger but it will cost you way less. Our new plug was $10nz. A converter at a drug store is $35+nz and full new cord is over $120nz</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR4TCQnZsoE/UjA_W5m4o5I/AAAAAAAAAOE/TNi4sNQv33E/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR4TCQnZsoE/UjA_W5m4o5I/AAAAAAAAAOE/TNi4sNQv33E/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<br />12.) Visit a museum</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Museums provide useful insight to local culture, history, geography, flora/fauna and more. It's good to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and this is a great way to do it. In my case I was even asked about my understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi (a founding New Zealand treaty with the Maori ) which I learnt all about for free at the Museum of New Zealand/Te Papa in Wellington. <br /><br />13.) Bring in-ear/noise cancelling headphones and a few mellow podcasts or audiobooks. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Not only are they nice for cancelling out the drone from airplane engines it''s a great way to block out any unwanted noise and distractions which can dramatically increase the quality of your sleep. Hostels can be full of 18 year olds looking to get drunk and no one wants to hear about how many shots of jager they had last weekend. I find podcasts are a nice way to distract me from my surroundings and allow me to escape from my own dialogue and stressors.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ewosorY4GM/UjA-93gDsCI/AAAAAAAAANk/NpkxN_U1TwA/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ewosorY4GM/UjA-93gDsCI/AAAAAAAAANk/NpkxN_U1TwA/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /> Sunset over the Pacific Ocean.<br />
14.) Make Lists/Notes </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />Traveling can be hectic chaotic and overwhelming but it doesn’t need to be always. Keeping notes and making lists can really help. It helps to keep you focused, it helps you to remember things and also allows your to become more creative. Now if you could buy that in a pill you’d be all over that. Keeping notes compensates for being tired, not being able to remember things people said with thick accents or just to remember small details, numbers and perhaps fun creative ideas that are fleeting. Lists are also great for motivation. It feels great to work towards having everything crossed off a list of things to do by the end of the day. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbOGGRCp0Vw/UjA_QEcSbyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/E1pn-aLr-Oc/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbOGGRCp0Vw/UjA_QEcSbyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/E1pn-aLr-Oc/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /><br /><br />
</span></div>
Dave Cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02090214727016580466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-21288395124278601092013-09-04T01:24:00.000-07:002013-09-04T14:44:36.331-07:00Rollercoaster ride in the Silver BulletAfter we bought our car, Dave and I immediately left Auckland. We left on a Saturday morning, bright and early, quite apprehensive about driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Our mantra was "wide rights and tight lefts". They also LOVE roundabouts here...something we have rarely seen in Canada. Dave and I get so unbelievably confused in them. Good thing they have lots of arrows and lines painted on the ground for us confused tourists.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdBJDRAIe0M/UiWVCf3rzyI/AAAAAAAAFlM/WddN2NNCzZ4/s1600/IMGP1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdBJDRAIe0M/UiWVCf3rzyI/AAAAAAAAFlM/WddN2NNCzZ4/s1600/IMGP1899.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver Bullet hanging out on 90 Mile Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Driving North, the motorway quickly ended, and turned into a windy, twisty road with random animals (turkeys, possums, dogs etc.) thrown in that you had to dodge. It was like driving in a video game. If you've ever driven to Tofino, New Zealand roads are very similar. Dave and I were going around tight corners at 25 km/h and making ourselves car sick...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAlfq4xYosU/UiV4DQcs0kI/AAAAAAAAFgI/NiiFhv3-eDw/s1600/IMGP2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAlfq4xYosU/UiV4DQcs0kI/AAAAAAAAFgI/NiiFhv3-eDw/s1600/IMGP2006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT a typical road up North. But pretty nonetheless. This is in Tongariro National Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The South African man who sold us our car said to budge about one hour for every 50 kilometres you need to drive and he was right.<br />
<br />
We decided to take the more scenic way to Whangeri, which took you along the coast... Just when we thought it couldn't get any windier... It did. Our first stop was at Surfer's Beach. It was beautiful, and windy. The sand was partially black from all the volcanic rock.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xT8I8FTX8Ts/UiV4GwsZtzI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/uuVT2UXG8js/s1600/IMGP1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xT8I8FTX8Ts/UiV4GwsZtzI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/uuVT2UXG8js/s1600/IMGP1874.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfer's Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Afterwards, we arrived in Whangeri and had a quick lunch before we set off for Abbey Caves. These caves were a few kilometers outside the city and are self-guided, meaning you go at your own risk. It felt quite adventurous even though they were quite easy to navigate. There was no way you would get lost... But it was definitely difficult terrain to navigate and they were full of water. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtaiDny4VRs/UiV4dvsV1aI/AAAAAAAAFiA/Cn1huk7iq5k/s1600/IMGP1882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtaiDny4VRs/UiV4dvsV1aI/AAAAAAAAFiA/Cn1huk7iq5k/s1600/IMGP1882.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_R65okLMMwU/UiV4v2xCayI/AAAAAAAAFho/M3OnzZkHMTc/s1600/IMGP1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_R65okLMMwU/UiV4v2xCayI/AAAAAAAAFho/M3OnzZkHMTc/s1600/IMGP1886.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The first cave we went in, we ran into two Taiwanese people who only brought a key chain flashlight with them, so we invited them to come explore with us. The four of us probably went in about 50 meters. It was super creepy not being able to see any daylight when we looked back at where we came from. It also had the most glow worms in it, which was so interesting!<br />
<br />
We explored two more caves after that, which were bigger, but didn't have as many glow worms. The landscape in the area was quite alien looking too. We were walking through farm land to get to the caves. There were tons of boulders, small and big, scattered around the area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKf556R1Qd4/UiV5RTAK6zI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/I0MvYxz4Ea8/s1600/IMGP1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKf556R1Qd4/UiV5RTAK6zI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/I0MvYxz4Ea8/s1600/IMGP1897.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7bL8iUSEQ0/UiV47yPcRPI/AAAAAAAAFhY/klQkMhB7FjE/s1600/IMGP1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7bL8iUSEQ0/UiV47yPcRPI/AAAAAAAAFhY/klQkMhB7FjE/s1600/IMGP1889.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock formations on the way to the caves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxnR2POtHFw/UiV45-NllnI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/HsUHACmlFn8/s1600/IMGP1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxnR2POtHFw/UiV45-NllnI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/HsUHACmlFn8/s1600/IMGP1888.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Paihia was our next stop. It is a small resort town right on the Bay of Islands. It was absolutely beautiful.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We stayed at a hostel called the Pickled Parrot. 'Pickled' is another word for being drunk. We were the only people staying in the hostel so we had the whole place to ourselves! We were visited occasionally by the owner's <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">dogs named Noodle and Truffle. </span>There was also unlimited wifi at this place so we hunkered down and continued to look for jobs online. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dave and I bought some kumara at the local grocery store and baked them up. At the Auckland Museum we were told they are a New Zealand specialty. They look like sweet potatoes, but taste nothing like them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was also the day I decided to do laundry. Of course, the machine ate some of my money, so it cost me $10 NZD to do a miniature load. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next day we set off for New Zealand's most northerly point, Cape Reinga. Our first stop was 90 Mile Beach. It's actually only about 60 miles long... But who's counting? The beach is used as a highway so we drove our car a couple hundred meters in and had some lunch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzzNUO95yug/UiWVBG04jiI/AAAAAAAAFlI/AsPirH-mxcU/s1600/IMGP1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzzNUO95yug/UiWVBG04jiI/AAAAAAAAFlI/AsPirH-mxcU/s1600/IMGP1903.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4etJ7d2Uj50/UiWVbM1plRI/AAAAAAAAFlk/1ALvSbQXuwc/s1600/IMGP1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4etJ7d2Uj50/UiWVbM1plRI/AAAAAAAAFlk/1ALvSbQXuwc/s1600/IMGP1906.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxL0Qb6PJmg/UiWVhjSpOcI/AAAAAAAAFls/WF14SHUOr_g/s1600/IMGP1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxL0Qb6PJmg/UiWVhjSpOcI/AAAAAAAAFls/WF14SHUOr_g/s1600/IMGP1907.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The weather and the scenery was stunning. A local man also came over and gave us some shellfish to try. You can dig for them in the beach during low tide, so we followed him into the surf and helped ourselves!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycNINyvfoH8/UiWVw929cFI/AAAAAAAAFmA/t2p2G-XSIGo/s1600/IMGP1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycNINyvfoH8/UiWVw929cFI/AAAAAAAAFmA/t2p2G-XSIGo/s1600/IMGP1909.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning how to find the shellfish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRY8LaKwOMM/UiWVLd8C1sI/AAAAAAAAFlU/47OwPXtf6NU/s1600/IMGP1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRY8LaKwOMM/UiWVLd8C1sI/AAAAAAAAFlU/47OwPXtf6NU/s1600/IMGP1904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuatua shellfish fresh from the ocean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQItI6Qkc3Y/UiWV2z0F3qI/AAAAAAAAFmM/zxiZiCV3nT0/s1600/IMGP1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQItI6Qkc3Y/UiWV2z0F3qI/AAAAAAAAFmM/zxiZiCV3nT0/s1600/IMGP1912.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing with the locals and digging for my dinner! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He and his friends invited us to have a beer with them and we watched them pull in their fishing line. They launched it with a torpedo into the ocean with some bait attached. The torpedo stopped about one kilometer out in the ocean and is slowly pulled back into the beach by a motorized reel. We headed back to their house for some snacks and for some advice on driving on 90 Mile Beach. Apparently many tourists die on it after hydroplaning and many people get stuck. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7FfpVzo10k/UiWWHq6tJPI/AAAAAAAAFmY/0uiFpZclnhE/s1600/IMGP1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7FfpVzo10k/UiWWHq6tJPI/AAAAAAAAFmY/0uiFpZclnhE/s1600/IMGP1913.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reeling in the Torpedo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
We headed out after about an hour and drove on the beach for about a kilometre before getting completely sketched out and turned around. No cell service and an incoming tide made it seem like a bad idea.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZdZJ-i2_tg/UiWWIrxAyhI/AAAAAAAAFmc/LaIubW35um4/s1600/IMGP1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZdZJ-i2_tg/UiWWIrxAyhI/AAAAAAAAFmc/LaIubW35um4/s1600/IMGP1915.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach driving!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
We made it to Cape Reinga about an hour later. It is a sacred spot where souls go to jump off the cliffs to return 'home'. It was another beautiful spot and quite a spiritual place. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hbtZ8BgA4/UiWWhiH5VcI/AAAAAAAAFm0/_iAheS2FFbo/s1600/IMGP1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hbtZ8BgA4/UiWWhiH5VcI/AAAAAAAAFm0/_iAheS2FFbo/s1600/IMGP1924.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at 90 Mile Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MK7sYGeCaIo/UiWXz6fNVMI/AAAAAAAAFoc/q_qEa-MxoD8/s1600/IMGP1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MK7sYGeCaIo/UiWXz6fNVMI/AAAAAAAAFoc/q_qEa-MxoD8/s1600/IMGP1945.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighthouse at Cape Reinga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyx43cNBwfA/UiWXq94oLDI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/Xo85M77W7Gc/s1600/IMGP1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyx43cNBwfA/UiWXq94oLDI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/Xo85M77W7Gc/s1600/IMGP1940.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are closer to the South Pole than we are to home right now!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_kwYEZ3-ns/UiWXq6AkBZI/AAAAAAAAFoM/-StuWHzPB-E/s1600/IMGP1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_kwYEZ3-ns/UiWXq6AkBZI/AAAAAAAAFoM/-StuWHzPB-E/s1600/IMGP1941.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. You can actually see the line!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
We turned around and on our way back south we saw a sign that said 'Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes'. Obviously, we had to go check it out. I'm not sure how we missed it in the first place! Man were they giant!! Picture Nosehill Park... and then turn the grass into sand. It was insanity. We couldn't even see the ocean...we could hear it in the distance, and you could tell it was quite far away. Dave and I hiked up a super steep one after checking out some neat rock formations that also had tons of broken sea shells layered on it. Again, it was odd because we were quite far from the actual beach. Apparently the dunes are slowly creeping inland and overtaking farmland though. Insanity!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lP7OdREGTfk/UiV2_KnDWGI/AAAAAAAAFe4/hvJqlEyFt8s/s1600/IMGP1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lP7OdREGTfk/UiV2_KnDWGI/AAAAAAAAFe4/hvJqlEyFt8s/s1600/IMGP1970.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand dunes and seashells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RT_5MjoCv8/UiV3AslNkWI/AAAAAAAAFe8/mbQx9-2G_5k/s1600/IMGP1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RT_5MjoCv8/UiV3AslNkWI/AAAAAAAAFe8/mbQx9-2G_5k/s1600/IMGP1975.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we on Mars?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbH_OYs-mSQ/UiV2nlwObcI/AAAAAAAAFec/meJUVUo3yWk/s1600/IMGP1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbH_OYs-mSQ/UiV2nlwObcI/AAAAAAAAFec/meJUVUo3yWk/s1600/IMGP1949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the first sand dune closest to the parking lot. This is also an exit off 90 Mile Beach. We were told it's quite tricky and treacherous because you are driving on a creek the whole way to the parking lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9zfX71yETk/UiV2m8mVKoI/AAAAAAAAFes/vhvSCa2xTvM/s1600/IMGP1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9zfX71yETk/UiV2m8mVKoI/AAAAAAAAFes/vhvSCa2xTvM/s1600/IMGP1954.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of scale for you. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBK0mbPCcOA/UiV3K1mbLBI/AAAAAAAAFfI/xitabDGdFc0/s1600/IMGP1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBK0mbPCcOA/UiV3K1mbLBI/AAAAAAAAFfI/xitabDGdFc0/s1600/IMGP1979.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was steep! It was super fun running back down it though!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZGe36WY2ME/UiV3Yku3tkI/AAAAAAAAFfc/95hxmXgML7c/s1600/IMGP1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZGe36WY2ME/UiV3Yku3tkI/AAAAAAAAFfc/95hxmXgML7c/s1600/IMGP1987.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contemplating how steep this sand dune is. You can see the parking lot off in the distance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_KRN388-dw/UiV3hZomNBI/AAAAAAAAFfo/AGjuYFkwrpA/s1600/IMGP1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_KRN388-dw/UiV3hZomNBI/AAAAAAAAFfo/AGjuYFkwrpA/s1600/IMGP1992.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave being awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
That was our last stop for the day, and we drove all the way back to Kaitaia to stay the night. Overall, a jam packed day! <br />
<br />
The next day was when we decided to head back to Paihia to find jobs. We made it as far as Kerikeri when we got a phone call for Dave to be interviewed for a job in Wellington. It took us two days, and ten hours to get there. It was also the first night we slept in our car!! Very cozy and warm. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-39118267506590284082013-09-03T01:06:00.000-07:002013-09-03T01:06:31.853-07:00AucklandAfter a nine hour flight, Dave and I finally arrived in Auckland. We were able to get a new SIM card for one of our phones right away at the airport. After that, we took the shuttle to our hostel, Verandah's. It's quite a nice hostel in a beautiful spot overlooking down town and a park. It was a quick jaunt to get downtown, which we did almost everyday to use the free wifi at the local library. Wifi, as we have discovered, is a hot commodity around here. It is not free and unlimited like it is in Canada, (even at Starbucks!!). Many places have free wifi, but only enough for you to check your email and Facebook. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1HHus5yk00/UiV5skcvGrI/AAAAAAAAFi0/g_tg7bh8s2s/s1600/IMGP1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1HHus5yk00/UiV5skcvGrI/AAAAAAAAFi0/g_tg7bh8s2s/s1600/IMGP1842.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were able to get a lot accomplished in Auckland. We got our bank accounts (with a note from our hostel owners saying we were 'residents' there). Afterwards, we got IRD numbers and were able to also get our car registered and car insurance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Getting our money to NZ was a bit of a hassle. We ended up using a company called Canadian Forex. It operates in many different countries under many names. You basically transfer your Canadian money to their Canadian bank account, and they transfer the new currency that you want from whatever country you want. It's simple, but not as quick as we had hoped.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We found a car on Wednesday, and had started to transfer our money two days before. Little did we know, the sellers were going back to South Africa on the Monday, and needed us to pay them ASAP. Our money wasn't guaranteed to come before they left, but luckily, Dave has some amazing family, who conveniently also happen to be Kiwis, so we were able to pay them on Friday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was especially lucky because the South African family ended up deciding to stay an extra two weeks (and kind of wanted their car back!!). It was good timing, and good family that got us our 1999 Subaru Legacy!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buying a car is ridiculously easy in New Zealand, and car insurance is optional (SERIOUSLY??) to our dismay. The roads here are insane... but more about that later... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While we were in Auckland, we went down to the quay, the Auckland Museum and the Sky Tower. It was a little stressful being there because of all the stuff we had to do, but it was also nice to be able to get some touristy things in!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRBXwTbUy44/UiV6ISImQgI/AAAAAAAAFjs/uB4CVq-8SJM/s1600/IMGP1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRBXwTbUy44/UiV6ISImQgI/AAAAAAAAFjs/uB4CVq-8SJM/s1600/IMGP1855.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori home. One of the most elaborate ever built.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jheMT_G--Ac/UiV6GiJq4WI/AAAAAAAAFjg/tCOLutoHD_s/s1600/IMGP1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jheMT_G--Ac/UiV6GiJq4WI/AAAAAAAAFjg/tCOLutoHD_s/s1600/IMGP1853.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori food storage. Also one of the more elaborate ever built.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g2bakstwDY/UiV6c7gesrI/AAAAAAAAFkY/hdOnlWFPesI/s1600/IMGP1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g2bakstwDY/UiV6c7gesrI/AAAAAAAAFkY/hdOnlWFPesI/s1600/IMGP1863.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chicken bone at the top. Moa bone at the bottom!! These are all drumsticks.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dave treated us to a guided tour around the Auckland Museum. We learned a little about how the Pacific Islands were settled, Maori culture, dinosaur history and European settlement of New Zealand.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qH_dPCjUaug/UiV5rOw1hQI/AAAAAAAAFiw/7-eptUInl7c/s1600/IMGP1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qH_dPCjUaug/UiV5rOw1hQI/AAAAAAAAFiw/7-eptUInl7c/s1600/IMGP1837.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin 'at the cafe in the Sky Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H089Gi_haro/UiV5TTsnaZI/AAAAAAAAFjE/tYM7rfoZ60Y/s1600/IMGP1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H089Gi_haro/UiV5TTsnaZI/AAAAAAAAFjE/tYM7rfoZ60Y/s1600/IMGP1814.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky Tower!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcI2xVvWTRs/UiV5U3elopI/AAAAAAAAFic/zrydCto_ZuI/s1600/IMGP1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcI2xVvWTRs/UiV5U3elopI/AAAAAAAAFic/zrydCto_ZuI/s1600/IMGP1818.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
New Zealand has on central heating, so we are basically freezing everywhere we go. I'm so glad we brought out sleeping bags!! They are life savers!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, Auckland is a nice city, very metropolitan. Not going to lie, we were glad to be able to purchase our car and get the heck out of there. We spent the next few days travelling around the north part of the island but more about that later!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-23464346149759680332013-08-24T15:32:00.002-07:002013-08-24T15:32:40.778-07:0026 hour lei-over in Hawaii<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To break up our trip to New Zealand, a friend of mine, Elia, suggested we stopover in Hawaii for a day.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brilliant idea. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We landed at 9PM in Honolulu and headed straight to the Waikiki Prince Hotel. It's basically the cheapest form of accommodation in Honolulu aside from staying at a hostel. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RqZs4rL--Kg/UhbuwTodbKI/AAAAAAAAFQg/M_Xm7r-HHJc/s640/blogger-image--1817938037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RqZs4rL--Kg/UhbuwTodbKI/AAAAAAAAFQg/M_Xm7r-HHJc/s640/blogger-image--1817938037.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hotel used to be an apartment building that was converted into a hotel so most rooms have a fully stocked kitchen inside. The building is old but well kept and very clean. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The staff there were also really quite friendly!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dave and I were up super early for our kayaking trip. We got picked up and driven to Kalui Bay, which is about 30 minutes from Waikiki. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some safety talks and brief introduction to paddling we were off!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAXD8GiBd_8/Uhfc-ly6QHI/AAAAAAAAFR0/Hiit7XC_Fso/s1600/IMGP1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAXD8GiBd_8/Uhfc-ly6QHI/AAAAAAAAFR0/Hiit7XC_Fso/s1600/IMGP1704.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting ready to launch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYbfsWRKprA/Uhfc6pg3rDI/AAAAAAAAFR4/zlczKGYbhYE/s1600/IMGP1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYbfsWRKprA/Uhfc6pg3rDI/AAAAAAAAFR4/zlczKGYbhYE/s1600/IMGP1711.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On our way out to the island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Elmxcc_Uuuw/UhfoNqu1P_I/AAAAAAAAFU8/bLm3_8iD-AI/s1600/IMGP1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Elmxcc_Uuuw/UhfoNqu1P_I/AAAAAAAAFU8/bLm3_8iD-AI/s1600/IMGP1803.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beach landing. Seriously so many other people here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDYHc88NKaQ/UhfoYObWeZI/AAAAAAAAFVM/zNmhpX1XUVU/s1600/IMGP1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDYHc88NKaQ/UhfoYObWeZI/AAAAAAAAFVM/zNmhpX1XUVU/s1600/IMGP1805.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nesting Shearwater birds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0NOmfUvWV4/UhkykyWVvCI/AAAAAAAAFV0/UmfTmwx8JCM/s1600/IMGP1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGNfhU_yQaQ/UhfoVwT-VlI/AAAAAAAAFVE/XV800F0Oujk/s1600/IMGP1804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGNfhU_yQaQ/UhfoVwT-VlI/AAAAAAAAFVE/XV800F0Oujk/s400/IMGP1804.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View towards Oahu</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a beautiful, sunny day with almost no wind. The water in the bay was so unbelievably calm that day, even Andrew, our guide, was amazed. Dave and I quickly got the hang of the whole paddling thing and were motoring along quite nicely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole way out to our destination, an island bird sanctuary, we could see the bottom of the ocean floor. I couldn't believe how beautiful the water was, nor how warm it actually was!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We landed on a white sandy beach and set off right away for a little hike to the other side of the island. It is full of shearwater birds that were nesting. There were literally eggs and fluffy little chicks everywhere we looked. The perimeter though, is the only part humans are allowed on, so that they are left undisturbed.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si1PkII2TGQ/Uhfeb_OjZHI/AAAAAAAAFRg/87WFO1AsUb8/s1600/IMGP1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si1PkII2TGQ/Uhfeb_OjZHI/AAAAAAAAFRg/87WFO1AsUb8/s320/IMGP1733.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJz9B6sa8GI/Uhff5QG5YSI/AAAAAAAAFSA/MKjGP1UABSs/s1600/IMGP1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJz9B6sa8GI/Uhff5QG5YSI/AAAAAAAAFSA/MKjGP1UABSs/s400/IMGP1743.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along the way our guide pointed out some invasive species, including spiders and these weird beetles. He also picked up some sea urchins for us to hold and touch... The kind that hadn't learned to shoot its needles out at you yet! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si1PkII2TGQ/Uhfeb_OjZHI/AAAAAAAAFRg/87WFO1AsUb8/s1600/IMGP1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzFiUQpYRnA/Uhff91gi7BI/AAAAAAAAFSM/u4c3jkhWrLs/s1600/IMGP1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzFiUQpYRnA/Uhff91gi7BI/AAAAAAAAFSM/u4c3jkhWrLs/s200/IMGP1749.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He also told us about some of the history and how the rock/Hawaiian islands were formed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After about 20 minutes along the rocky shore we made it to the sheltered little cove on the other side of the island. It was spectacular. It was sheltered from the ocean and just beautiful. Here we got to cliff jump and free dive in the saltiest water I have ever swam it. It took me about 10 minutes to work up the courage to cliff jump, but I did it!! Once in the water, it took almost no effort to stay afloat. </span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3hsi-biKrg/UhfiE8UWyrI/AAAAAAAAFUA/FwA-ihEbMZU/s1600/IMGP1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3hsi-biKrg/UhfiE8UWyrI/AAAAAAAAFUA/FwA-ihEbMZU/s320/IMGP1754.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T02w87BQP3k/UhfiGj4ngsI/AAAAAAAAFUM/YDYwFmp-4vg/s1600/IMGP1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T02w87BQP3k/UhfiGj4ngsI/AAAAAAAAFUM/YDYwFmp-4vg/s640/IMGP1755.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znkaCeXbaaY/UhkyhL1U5iI/AAAAAAAAFVo/IOQaroDhobM/s1600/IMGP1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znkaCeXbaaY/UhkyhL1U5iI/AAAAAAAAFVo/IOQaroDhobM/s320/IMGP1774.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmWFwesfINI/UhkzPZs6ykI/AAAAAAAAFWA/O9fOt1HkpxI/s1600/IMGP1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmWFwesfINI/UhkzPZs6ykI/AAAAAAAAFWA/O9fOt1HkpxI/s320/IMGP1765.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some time there we headed back to have some lunch that was provided... Subway sandwiches... My favourite... </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had lunch, then snorkeled around the beach we had landed on. It was so neat to see so many fish! You really didn't have to go very far to see some cool things! The coolest by far were the sea urchins that were about the size of a 5 pin bowling ball.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The water the whole day was so warm! Quite a nice change from the glacier fed bodies of water in Alberta! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtS3RldHprE/UhkygmhA6QI/AAAAAAAAFVc/Vsd-96Jb9y0/s1600/IMGP1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtS3RldHprE/UhkygmhA6QI/AAAAAAAAFVc/Vsd-96Jb9y0/s320/IMGP1788.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0NOmfUvWV4/UhkykyWVvCI/AAAAAAAAFV0/UmfTmwx8JCM/s1600/IMGP1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0NOmfUvWV4/UhkykyWVvCI/AAAAAAAAFV0/UmfTmwx8JCM/s200/IMGP1797.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way back, to the island, it was basically a turtle safari. They were everywhere! At two different points, they were right beside our kayak, and I could have reaches out and touched them. Dave was sitting at the back and almost hit two of them with his paddle! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, a fantastic day out kayaking. We couldn't have asked for more!! The company we went with was Two Good Kayaks. I highly recommend them! I might consider packing more for lunch though cause we were starving by the end of the day. They also pick you up and too you off anywhere in Waikiki. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To kill time, Dave and I had and early dinner at a Mexican restaurant. He ordered a burrito and America did not disappoint. It was <b>the</b> biggest burrito ether of us have ever seen. Picture a one liter Nalgene bottle and add about one inch to its length. Dave devoured it like a champ and then we set off to find some free wifi in the shade.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended up wandering around Macy's for a bit and then heading to Starbucks. Since we were hotel-less I also ended up showering at the beach. It was a little weird soaping up while everyone else was waiting to wash the sand off their feet, but it was worth it! I was clean.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a day!! So amazing, I know I will be back for a longer trip!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I end this post I will leave you with a fun fact about the Honolulu airport: Thirty years ago they banned gum from because people kept sticking it everywhere, so you can't buy gum there! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-37960474320319275302013-08-20T07:35:00.000-07:002013-08-20T17:01:58.565-07:00Adventures in Leaving Canada<div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></span></div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Disclaimer: formatting issues are due to blogger app. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></span></div>Leaving Calgary on Friday was really when it hit me. <b>I won't be back for a year. </b>I won't see my family or friends. </span></span>I won't have steady income. Nothing will be familiar. On our way to Summerland Dave and I always joke about stopping at the Enchanted Forest, ongoing to everyone's favourite goat walk at the Log Barn... I always say we should go on the way back.... But that won't be happening!<div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">The day before was spent packing and organizing our things. Dave had just finished work at the Tim Horton's Ranch </span></span>and has basically been living out of his car. In the past two years he has been driving back and forth between Lethbridge, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Summerland and the Kananaskis. We had his car all packed up and ready to go to B.C. when Dave goes,"I don't know where my passport is." And what do we get to do next? Unpack the car in the dark and rummage through everything to find it. Adventures!</div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Of course, I forgot a very important clothing item, my gortex rain jacket and had to get my mom to mail it out to Vancouver. </span>Dave's drivers licence also arrived that day, so my mom had to go back to the post office after she had literally just sent my jacket off. Oh yeah, Dave's drivers licence expires in November so we had to renew it before we left. Which meant my mom had to go get his international driver's licence for him from AMA too.<br>
<br>
We arrived to a hot, sunny Summerland. Dave still had a lot to do. He had to go through his things and get everything packed and ready to go. It took quite a few hours over two days get get it sorted out. I had some time to head to the Penticton Saturday market. If you're ever in Penticton on a Saturday over the summer, you need to check it out. They have tons of food, clothing and fresh produce along with some entertainment. It's such an impressive market for such a small place. The last time we were there, Dave and I bought coffee from a guy who roasted the beans in his backyard. The coffee was amazing!! This time though, I bought a gallette for breakfast.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RBQ2MFYk_U8/UhP-7KTIwyI/AAAAAAAAFOU/IjoRrV3FXA4/s640/blogger-image--853505185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RBQ2MFYk_U8/UhP-7KTIwyI/AAAAAAAAFOU/IjoRrV3FXA4/s640/blogger-image--853505185.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br>
We also had time to head out onto the lake in their boat, which was absolutely lovely! The next day while Dave had some father-son bonding time, Judi and I went out onto the lake for a kayak. Seriously, such a different lifestyle when there is a large body of water nearby!! And wine...lots and lots of wine! Also the fresh fruit. And locally grown vegetables. </div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L421f31MdRE/UhQCDKH0yNI/AAAAAAAAFPE/lcnIaE30RJo/s640/blogger-image-206739910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L421f31MdRE/UhQCDKH0yNI/AAAAAAAAFPE/lcnIaE30RJo/s640/blogger-image-206739910.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-piZKduHRwyg/UhQCFOBu1lI/AAAAAAAAFPM/M9nqJP6dDEI/s640/blogger-image-1964115498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-piZKduHRwyg/UhQCFOBu1lI/AAAAAAAAFPM/M9nqJP6dDEI/s640/blogger-image-1964115498.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Dave's parents drove us to Vancouver from Summerland on Monday. </span>What was supposed to take four hours ended up being more like 7 because of an accident. I guess it was a good idea we didn't get dropped off the day of our flight, because it would have been a very tight squeeze to make it on time!</div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">We got dropped off in Surrey and our adventure immediately began. </span>Our baggage is barely manageable and we hauled it up to the Skytrain platform and got on. Well Dave got on and I was too slow and didn't make it. The look in Dave's face when he turned around and saw me on the platform was hilarious. I don't think I will ever forget it. It was too funny! <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">I shouted at him to get off at the next stop and off h</span>e went! We were reunited about two minutes later. Great start to the trip!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BNj2lC13-z4/UhP-8RIStUI/AAAAAAAAFOc/XOcPlj9AP2U/s640/blogger-image-666480448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BNj2lC13-z4/UhP-8RIStUI/AAAAAAAAFOc/XOcPlj9AP2U/s640/blogger-image-666480448.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">That night we had dinner at an Indian restaurant with some friends. Maryam, a good friend f</span>rom high school, Susan and Darcen, good friends from work and as luck would have it, Matty, a good friend of Dave's from camp, who was in Vancouver escorting kids back home. They have a serious bromance going on, that's for sure!<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lFPk8TEvuWk/UhQDXVdtm3I/AAAAAAAAFPw/FgY5Q-RyEa0/s640/blogger-image--696968244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lFPk8TEvuWk/UhQDXVdtm3I/AAAAAAAAFPw/FgY5Q-RyEa0/s640/blogger-image--696968244.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F-yGOpBWC0M/UhQDcQzVhoI/AAAAAAAAFQA/K4esEXsH1Cg/s640/blogger-image--67564556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F-yGOpBWC0M/UhQDcQzVhoI/AAAAAAAAFQA/K4esEXsH1Cg/s640/blogger-image--67564556.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had Tuesday morning to do a few last minute errands. I got my rain jacket and Dave's driver's lisence from UPS (thanks mom!!!!). Afterwards we met up with Susan and had some Japadogs for lunch! Dave's first Japadog experience! He is a fan. </div><br></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zmk6hoXHLA4/UhQCHJg6MMI/AAAAAAAAFPU/781n0Rrw_nA/s640/blogger-image-1076095255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zmk6hoXHLA4/UhQCHJg6MMI/AAAAAAAAFPU/781n0Rrw_nA/s640/blogger-image-1076095255.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0GcnZDSOGrs/UhQDZWhuNLI/AAAAAAAAFP4/ht6BavhVYCU/s640/blogger-image--961515842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0GcnZDSOGrs/UhQDZWhuNLI/AAAAAAAAFP4/ht6BavhVYCU/s640/blogger-image--961515842.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thanks goodness Maryam came with us to the airport. It made things so much more manageable!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the airport, the Westjet lady helping people at the self check-in kiosks asked us, "Are you going camping there or something??" Yes. Yes we are.</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KkBAeamXB_o/UhQCNlUdMJI/AAAAAAAAFPc/5q19RYcDfdU/s640/blogger-image--1072208006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KkBAeamXB_o/UhQCNlUdMJI/AAAAAAAAFPc/5q19RYcDfdU/s640/blogger-image--1072208006.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZrJW96yCtjo/UhQCfnGtE4I/AAAAAAAAFPk/8qw50T4Ejuc/s640/blogger-image-160069935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZrJW96yCtjo/UhQCfnGtE4I/AAAAAAAAFPk/8qw50T4Ejuc/s640/blogger-image-160069935.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We are definitely going to miss everyone in Canada!! Thank you everyone for your love and support. Big extra special thank yous to our families for helping us organize, mail, and get to places!!! Love you all!!!! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-2901952661832480042013-08-07T15:56:00.000-07:002013-08-20T07:33:32.238-07:00Perspective is Everything! - Old Goat Glacier, July 28th, 2013<br />
Also known as the day Jenn and Michelle went out together without Steve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FjfBIA__94/UgLO0MSLlsI/AAAAAAAAFK4/4dDd6kKVElc/s1600/IMG_2747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FjfBIA__94/UgLO0MSLlsI/AAAAAAAAFK4/4dDd6kKVElc/s1600/IMG_2747.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Originally, our plan for the day was to go climbing at Grassi with Kory, but Kory ended up getting sick. Jenn and I quickly decided we weren't going to waste the day and made plans to hike and climb indoors at the new rec center in Canmore.<br />
<br />
We discussed going on a shorter hike so we would have time to get to the rec center and be back in Calgary for dinner. At no point in my life have I ever called a ten kilometer hike 'short', but that's what we decided on!<br />
<br />
The trail has very little elevation gain to begin with. It seemed fine at first, but it was really quite damaged from the flooding. There was one part of the trail that was undercut and being held together with moss. It definitely bounced up and down when we walked on it, and on the way back there was a hole in it. Before we started, a conservation officer stopped us and warned us the trail was open, but people were being discouraged from hiking it because it was "really rough". It was rough at some points, but not the point where it wasn't hike-able. Perspective, I guess is everything!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDCh8YNIt8U/UgKnkLR-XWI/AAAAAAAAE24/Jx13kaULK5o/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDCh8YNIt8U/UgKnkLR-XWI/AAAAAAAAE24/Jx13kaULK5o/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">About 2 km in, there is some trail damage. The part I'm standing on in the photo is completely undercut due to the flooding.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Further in, there was major washout damage. The trail disappeared for about 400 m and was replaced by a labyrinth of rocks and uprooted trees. We wandered for awhile with a group of really nice Japanese hikers. The blind leading the blind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nodY_bJx55s/UgKniiyKCII/AAAAAAAAE2w/nYjk3iQQZJo/s1600/IMG_4748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nodY_bJx55s/UgKniiyKCII/AAAAAAAAE2w/nYjk3iQQZJo/s1600/IMG_4748.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Further in, the trail had been washed away by rocks and other debris. We wandered aimlessly for a little while before we found the trail again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once we were passed this part, the trail opened up to an avalanche runout. Again, lots of rocks had been washed down during the flood. Across the runout was the rest of our hike. From our perspective, it looked daunting...steep and rocky. I think it also contained about 600 m of the 620 m elevation gain on this trail spread out over approximately one or two kilometers. Once we set out on the trail, it actually wasn't too bad. Don't get me wrong. It was difficult, but it was also manageable. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgwt6K8n8Vo/UgKnh0G1C2I/AAAAAAAAE2o/oZMJvSpHXzc/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgwt6K8n8Vo/UgKnh0G1C2I/AAAAAAAAE2o/oZMJvSpHXzc/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where the real fun begins! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCxwt68RVNI/UgLPr1laCjI/AAAAAAAAFLE/62vqFTQULy4/s1600/IMG_2728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCxwt68RVNI/UgLPr1laCjI/AAAAAAAAFLE/62vqFTQULy4/s1600/IMG_2728.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenn working her way up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xOWJgDyTuA/UgKnm8dMdkI/AAAAAAAAE3I/egwy9jB2cYM/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xOWJgDyTuA/UgKnm8dMdkI/AAAAAAAAE3I/egwy9jB2cYM/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Old Goat Glacier</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PTrFNEJw1g/UgKnksV75XI/AAAAAAAAE3A/Gc96aCpQLFY/s1600/IMG_4794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PTrFNEJw1g/UgKnksV75XI/AAAAAAAAE3A/Gc96aCpQLFY/s1600/IMG_4794.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pretty flowers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meOCeObTpyU/UgKnqfcg44I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/J_pXxVb_f5U/s1600/IMG_4817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meOCeObTpyU/UgKnqfcg44I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/J_pXxVb_f5U/s1600/IMG_4817.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heading back down towards the avalanche runout.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looking back we had great views of Spray Lakes Resevoir, and the valley we had just hiked through. This is probably a more difficult beginning hike, but the views are worth it. (Aren't they always though?). Going down wasn't as bad as we thought it would be, in spite of the steepness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IalNPNrhzg/UgKnpKK-4HI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/CialBm15lH4/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IalNPNrhzg/UgKnpKK-4HI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/CialBm15lH4/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of Spray Lakes Reservoir.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<br />
After about 4 hours, we were back in the car and on our way to Canmore to check out Elevation Place. The new rec center is FAB-U-LOUS. We only climbed, and all the routes were well graded and fun! The staff at the climbing gym are obviously enthusiastic about climbing and their work. They walked around, talked to people about the routes and gave people beta. Overall, a great day with my new friend Jenn!<br />
<br />
Photo credits for this post go to Jenn! Thanks for sharing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-16469786491006711772013-08-06T09:23:00.001-07:002013-08-20T07:33:12.494-07:00A Miniature Canadian Safari and Jumping shots!<h2>
Burstall Pass </h2>
<h3>
July 31st, 2013</h3>
<br />
This has been on my hiking list for YEARS. I finally got to tick it off!! Expectations were high, and they were definitely met.<br />
<br />
On our drive there, we got the Canadian wildlife experience. We saw an elk running along the highway, looking exhausted, and being pursued by two wolves!! It was the first time I had ever seen them in the wild. A few kilometers down, we saw a group of mountain goats with their lambs along the side of the road. Not sure if the wolves caught up to them or not!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1KijTrWmmk/Uf-omPnR-bI/AAAAAAAAEcE/zPqPygP0QSA/s1600/IMG_9878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1KijTrWmmk/Uf-omPnR-bI/AAAAAAAAEcE/zPqPygP0QSA/s1600/IMG_9878.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the flood plain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the first four-ish kilometers of this hike, you walk down an old road. It's pretty boring. Near the end there is a bike rack, so if you a mountain bike, use it!<br />
<br />
After that, you reach a wide open flood plain that involves much hopping and jumping over small creeks. This part of the trail isn't as obvious so look for the hiking signs if you get a little lost. It was probably a little wetter than normal due to the flooding in June. Part of the trail was still sitting under some water. After some more time in the trees, it opens up and you cross a beautiful meadow and start getting some stunning views.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5hns74JvWk/Uf-pb7WZciI/AAAAAAAAEco/-FJjecLN4f8/s1600/IMG_9881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5hns74JvWk/Uf-pb7WZciI/AAAAAAAAEco/-FJjecLN4f8/s1600/IMG_9881.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flooded trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dShw2NEbFU/Uf-s1R0fCmI/AAAAAAAAEeY/nJXsQNISYYA/s1600/IMG_9897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dShw2NEbFU/Uf-s1R0fCmI/AAAAAAAAEeY/nJXsQNISYYA/s1600/IMG_9897.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way up to the pass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jw2k1FHcg8/Uf-shmjaoKI/AAAAAAAAEeI/hfGPjfrh3zs/s1600/IMG_9896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jw2k1FHcg8/Uf-shmjaoKI/AAAAAAAAEeI/hfGPjfrh3zs/s1600/IMG_9896.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way up to the pass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaYoYWdlhqY/Uf-uy74ligI/AAAAAAAAEfY/qUWSj3AB32E/s1600/IMG_9906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaYoYWdlhqY/Uf-uy74ligI/AAAAAAAAEfY/qUWSj3AB32E/s1600/IMG_9906.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave, Kory, me and Michelle on the pass. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N19frJy-s5c/Uf-trNSutXI/AAAAAAAAEe4/h2Iocviz22k/s1600/IMG_9902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N19frJy-s5c/Uf-trNSutXI/AAAAAAAAEe4/h2Iocviz22k/s1600/IMG_9902.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the pass </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once we reached the pass, we decided to venture a little bit into Banff, because our views of it were being blocked by two smaller ridges. While Dave scrambled up another mountain to the south, we headed up to the taller ridge west of the pass. He is quite the long-legged mountain goat and scrambled his way up to the summit in no time! Meanwhile, we lounged in the alpine meadow and took a few jumping shots.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Czm5CDgIUZg/Uf-0tpdegzI/AAAAAAAAEiw/wUOkKRWWY0M/s1600/IMG_9932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Czm5CDgIUZg/Uf-0tpdegzI/AAAAAAAAEiw/wUOkKRWWY0M/s1600/IMG_9932.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the ridge in Banff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcECh54DZfw/Uf-wEt1rJaI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/YVrsm9yr9jo/s1600/IMG_9914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcECh54DZfw/Uf-wEt1rJaI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/YVrsm9yr9jo/s1600/IMG_9914.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into Banff. Leman Lake is visible here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-UG5G8DL1k/Uf-0PtulckI/AAAAAAAAEic/TB91nQmqO7c/s1600/IMG_9925-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-UG5G8DL1k/Uf-0PtulckI/AAAAAAAAEic/TB91nQmqO7c/s1600/IMG_9925-MOTION.gif" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Jumping shots in front of Lehman Lake. Thanks Google+ for putting this together! Hah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97as4QVnzyc/Uf-5F1ukyyI/AAAAAAAAElQ/WRx4MEMCgBA/s1600/IMG_9951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97as4QVnzyc/Uf-5F1ukyyI/AAAAAAAAElQ/WRx4MEMCgBA/s1600/IMG_9951.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way back through the flood plain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a longer easy hike at 15 km. It's not difficult nor technical, but the distance does make for a long day. It took us about 5 hours, plus about an hour of lounging and lunching. It's a beautiful hike, and definitely worth the effort. Another gorgeous day hiking with some great company, topped off with a stop at the Mountain Juice Cafe. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-13849948525272740312013-08-05T21:55:00.001-07:002013-08-09T14:17:29.219-07:00Don't give up. It's worth it. <h2>
Helen Lake and Cirque Peak</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful hikes I have EVER been on. Aside from the first 45 minutes or so, the views from this hike are constant. You start in the trees, but it quickly opens up into a massive alpine meadow full of flowers and surrounded by mountains and glaciers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEsCE46oIIU/Uf_K5sp-3CI/AAAAAAAAEvc/6yA-B_m2zMg/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEsCE46oIIU/Uf_K5sp-3CI/AAAAAAAAEvc/6yA-B_m2zMg/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from about kilometer 2 of the trail.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veO44Jgh_xU/Uf_NSHV9fMI/AAAAAAAAEw0/L_j-j5sCmDg/s1600/IMG_9970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veO44Jgh_xU/Uf_NSHV9fMI/AAAAAAAAEw0/L_j-j5sCmDg/s1600/IMG_9970.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everything opens up at about kilometer three.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpVEFkrm4Gw/Uf_KR0gPeeI/AAAAAAAAEu0/9EJZvzfteaU/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpVEFkrm4Gw/Uf_KR0gPeeI/AAAAAAAAEu0/9EJZvzfteaU/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Creek Crossing!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkutdYXTkeQ/Uf_ImtCqL3I/AAAAAAAAEtY/9vfraH5xS5Q/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkutdYXTkeQ/Uf_ImtCqL3I/AAAAAAAAEtY/9vfraH5xS5Q/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">View of the Bow Valley towards Lake Louise from the alpine meadows before you reach Helen Lake.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can reach Helen Lake with minimal effort, but the views get better as you head up to the ridge above the lake. You start to catch glimpses what lies behind and beyond the mountains that surround the valley. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLsoY9hVbbs/Uf_GnVWPMQI/AAAAAAAAEro/lv15y2ZepgA/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLsoY9hVbbs/Uf_GnVWPMQI/AAAAAAAAEro/lv15y2ZepgA/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Lake with Cirque Peak behind it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7O49IPZLtU/Uf_RKZu1_jI/AAAAAAAAE0E/4u33546qAqg/s1600/IMG_9986-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7O49IPZLtU/Uf_RKZu1_jI/AAAAAAAAE0E/4u33546qAqg/s1600/IMG_9986-PANO.jpg" height="111" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the ridge above Helen Lake.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As you scramble up Cirque Peak, the views get more and more spectacular. Lakes and glaciers that weren't visible before are suddenly within your view. At the summit, you have a 360 degree view of everything, we could see numerous turquoise blue lakes, glaciers and more mountains! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIqbKbVPYN8/Uf_EXYIZWmI/AAAAAAAAEps/nuWfsPsGJSM/s1600/IMG_0007-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIqbKbVPYN8/Uf_EXYIZWmI/AAAAAAAAEps/nuWfsPsGJSM/s1600/IMG_0007-PANO.jpg" height="272" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Part way up Cirque Peak. The ridge and Helen Lake are in the left part of the picture. Massive Bow Lake is in the top right.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytCcX4Z2hWo/Uf_Ayhy_0xI/AAAAAAAAEm4/_-YEK9Mqc_4/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytCcX4Z2hWo/Uf_Ayhy_0xI/AAAAAAAAEm4/_-YEK9Mqc_4/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Definitely a scramble up Cirque Peak.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Although my guidebook says the hike is moderate, hiking to the summit of Cirque Peak makes for a long day. It's probably on the more difficult end of the 'moderate' scale at 16 kilometers round trip and 1043 meters of elevation gain... 500 of which are in the last kilometer of the hike. There was one point (ok, maybe several points) on the steep, scree covered slope that I wanted to just give up and make my way back down. The rain clouds seemed to have caught up with us by then and I was worried about what the hike down would be like if everything suddenly got wet. Luckily, someone mentioned the word 'loser', and I continued on. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LUEakdI1-U/Uf_EbT8mOfI/AAAAAAAAEp0/bqASzwaxnfg/s1600/IMG_0012-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LUEakdI1-U/Uf_EbT8mOfI/AAAAAAAAEp0/bqASzwaxnfg/s1600/IMG_0012-PANO.jpg" height="116" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panoramic shot from the summit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tve3L4cyHTY/Uf_ECaC5oCI/AAAAAAAAEpU/4ENA97aQTL8/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tve3L4cyHTY/Uf_ECaC5oCI/AAAAAAAAEpU/4ENA97aQTL8/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying the views from the summit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ17AaLDe6A/UgVcT89efQI/AAAAAAAAFLU/P-WJ5zr2JUI/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ17AaLDe6A/UgVcT89efQI/AAAAAAAAFLU/P-WJ5zr2JUI/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group shot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Going down a hike never seems to be as bad as I think it is, in spite of the steepness, with the exception of Skoki Mountain. Unfortunately, by the end of it, my left knee decided it did not like what I was doing and was throbbing for about the last 6 kilometers of the hike. This, for the record, is why I hike with poles. My knee would have been worse if I had not brought them along. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lesson from this hike: Don't give up! Just keep hiking. It's worth it.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287273300812388611.post-7673279955655596252013-08-05T20:29:00.001-07:002013-08-05T20:29:44.531-07:00A Lesson in Geography - West Wind Pass, July 26th, 2013<br />
Every time I drive into the Rockies on Highway 1, I look at the mountain range behind the mountains (if that makes any sense!) and wonder what it would be like to venture back there and conquer them. Little did I know, we were heading back there and Spray Lakes Road takes you there with very little drama and effort.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z_VjWEMdnw/UfNc9wU_2UI/AAAAAAAAEPM/WgIdvFsgOTQ/s1600/IMG_9748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z_VjWEMdnw/UfNc9wU_2UI/AAAAAAAAEPM/WgIdvFsgOTQ/s1600/IMG_9748.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the parking lot for this hike used to be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-KPl-H1S7I/UfNdd0S2yGI/AAAAAAAAEPc/rikAhILFz-c/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-KPl-H1S7I/UfNdd0S2yGI/AAAAAAAAEPc/rikAhILFz-c/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>West Wind Pass is a fantastic beginner hike, and fairly easy to find IF you have good directions. The 400 m elevation is spread out over the three kilometer trail, so it's a steady climb up to the pass. It starts off in the trees, but quickly opens up. And yes, it is VERY windy up there so hold onto your hats! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-KPl-H1S7I/UfNdd0S2yGI/AAAAAAAAEPc/rikAhILFz-c/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-KPl-H1S7I/UfNdd0S2yGI/AAAAAAAAEPc/rikAhILFz-c/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
The view is quite pretty, you can look back onto the Spray Lakes Resevoir before you head over the pass. From the pass you catch a glimpse of highway 1, and the industrial plant. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are feeling adventurous (and we really weren't), you can traverse the pass and head up Wind Tower. It's a scramble, but didn't look overly difficult, but do your research if you intend to summit it. If you're not, you can have a really nice lunch at the pass. Lisa, Jason, Michelle and I lounged around in a relatively sheltered spot for about thirty minutes.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hmw0TinGMo/UfNfGnIq8uI/AAAAAAAAEQk/eOI4rabo9Fk/s1600/IMG_9761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hmw0TinGMo/UfNfGnIq8uI/AAAAAAAAEQk/eOI4rabo9Fk/s1600/IMG_9761.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind Tower, just before reaching the pass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUfRK-cSRFU/UfNfMv3UeZI/AAAAAAAAEQs/8vb2KE4O2lA/s1600/IMG_9764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUfRK-cSRFU/UfNfMv3UeZI/AAAAAAAAEQs/8vb2KE4O2lA/s1600/IMG_9764.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lisa, Michelle, Jason and I with highway one in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Afterwards, we went to the lake to dip our feet briefly into the lake. If only the water was a bit warmer...I think I had my feet in for about 5 seconds. On our way back, we munched on some very ripe, and very tiny strawberries. It was the first time I'd ever noticed them, and they were delicious!! I can see why the bears love them so much. <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaqgRRsEVdc/UgBqlwZvL-I/AAAAAAAAE2Q/1vdm-1uZpQU/s1600/IMG_9826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaqgRRsEVdc/UgBqlwZvL-I/AAAAAAAAE2Q/1vdm-1uZpQU/s1600/IMG_9826.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On our way out, one of my science camp buddies, Jason, also told us the coolest geography fact about Mount John Laurie, more commonly known as Yamnuska (which translates into "wall of stone", thanks Wikipedia). So apparently, it is a mountain made up of two different types of rock, one of which drifted under North America and was thrust up during the formation of the Rocky Mountains. Mind. Blown.<br />
<br />
Overall, a fantastic day with great company and great weather, topped off with a pit stop at the Mountain Juice Cafe in Canmore. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0