Friday, December 30, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Yes I actually did some work in New Zealand
I hardly took or posted any pictures while working - well, of course, I had my hands full of trees and dirt. Luckily, CV sent out some pictures that were taken during my time in New Zealand.
Building a fence in Atiu Creek
Killing gorse in Waitawa
Weeding in Waitawa (ugh...)
Building a fence in Atiu Creek
Cutting gorse on Waiheke
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Leaving Middle-Earth
My last week of work is over. My wonderful, exciting time in New Zealand has come to an end. I'm back home, with my soft bed and firm bread, clean clothes and my kittens, who appearently didn't forget about me.
We worked in Punakaiki, we planted, weeded, released plants from the high and fast growing grass and potted some small seedlings again. And I had a great last few days with the people I've enjoyed living with so much.
We also went surfing one afternoon, and let me tell you, it's more exhausting than you think. Even if actually standing on the board is not that difficult, dragging it far enough into the ocean to actually try and ride the waves is a lot of work.
The time flew by so quickly, and before I knew it was Friday and time to catch the bus to Christchurch.
On the way, we stopped in Arthur's pass, where we saw a bunch of cheeky Keas.
I only stayed in the City for the night and went to Akaroa the next day. And, wow, I should be used to that by now, but New Zealand is simly astonishingly beautiful, especially when it's sunny.
The water here actually contains some minerals that give the sea that insanly blue colour.
One of the few mammals native to New Zealand is the Hector's Dolphin, the world's smallest dolphin, whom I visited.
It was so amazing, but difficult to take pictures, since these guys are fast! And the small boat was moving a lot in the waves, so here's a slowed down gif:
I also had the opportunity to gow swimming with them, but unfortunately I could not get a good shot from the water. It was wonderful though, being right by the wild animals who are just so curious and come to check you out for fun.
In the evening, I visited Pohatu Penguins. Unfortunatley, it was too dark for my camera to take decent picures and we were not supposed to use flash since that would scare them, so the pictures are horribly blurry. They had to take care of an injured chick at the moment, and we watched it getting fed, it was so adorable.
They also have nesting boxes that they monitor and opened two to show us the very fluffy, very young, very adorable babies
We also saw some adult ones, but from relatively far away since they are wild animals and not a zoo,
What was really cool was that we also got to see a rare Yellow Eyed Penguin
It was a lot of fun watching them jump around on the rocks, but it was too dark to take pictures without flash.
The next day it was a bit cloudy and I took a walk in the hills that used to be a volcano crater.
Please don't mind the disgusting gorse in these two pictures.
And then it was, unfortunately, already the last day I had in the land of the long white cloud.
Back in Christchurch, I checked into my hotel for the last night. An actual hotel, with my own clean bed and shower and everything. There was moodlighting in different colours. I showered in bloodred light and warm water. They also had a TV with actual, real reception! And clean floors! I forgot what these luxuries felt like.
So I went to sleep in peace without loud and drunk people in the same room and slept soundly until I had to leave to head for the airport.
The flight was... long. I watched a lot of movies, and can now officially agree that Suicide Squad sucks. Not even the soundtrack helps, it makes it even worse and now all these great songs reming me of Jared Leto's "method acting".
I had over four hours in Singapore which was kind of annoying, but they have amazing free massage chairs there! Massage chairs!
Of course my last short flight was delayed, but I eventually made it home to my kitties
...and friends and family of course
We worked in Punakaiki, we planted, weeded, released plants from the high and fast growing grass and potted some small seedlings again. And I had a great last few days with the people I've enjoyed living with so much.
 |
| Delicious Sushi for dinner |
We also went surfing one afternoon, and let me tell you, it's more exhausting than you think. Even if actually standing on the board is not that difficult, dragging it far enough into the ocean to actually try and ride the waves is a lot of work.
The time flew by so quickly, and before I knew it was Friday and time to catch the bus to Christchurch.
On the way, we stopped in Arthur's pass, where we saw a bunch of cheeky Keas.
 |
| Birds always look so funny from the front |
I only stayed in the City for the night and went to Akaroa the next day. And, wow, I should be used to that by now, but New Zealand is simly astonishingly beautiful, especially when it's sunny.
The water here actually contains some minerals that give the sea that insanly blue colour.
One of the few mammals native to New Zealand is the Hector's Dolphin, the world's smallest dolphin, whom I visited.
It was so amazing, but difficult to take pictures, since these guys are fast! And the small boat was moving a lot in the waves, so here's a slowed down gif:
In the evening, I visited Pohatu Penguins. Unfortunatley, it was too dark for my camera to take decent picures and we were not supposed to use flash since that would scare them, so the pictures are horribly blurry. They had to take care of an injured chick at the moment, and we watched it getting fed, it was so adorable.
They also have nesting boxes that they monitor and opened two to show us the very fluffy, very young, very adorable babies
We also saw some adult ones, but from relatively far away since they are wild animals and not a zoo,
 |
| There are four, just landing at the rocks |
It was a lot of fun watching them jump around on the rocks, but it was too dark to take pictures without flash.
Please don't mind the disgusting gorse in these two pictures.
And then it was, unfortunately, already the last day I had in the land of the long white cloud.
Back in Christchurch, I checked into my hotel for the last night. An actual hotel, with my own clean bed and shower and everything. There was moodlighting in different colours. I showered in bloodred light and warm water. They also had a TV with actual, real reception! And clean floors! I forgot what these luxuries felt like.
So I went to sleep in peace without loud and drunk people in the same room and slept soundly until I had to leave to head for the airport.
The flight was... long. I watched a lot of movies, and can now officially agree that Suicide Squad sucks. Not even the soundtrack helps, it makes it even worse and now all these great songs reming me of Jared Leto's "method acting".
I had over four hours in Singapore which was kind of annoying, but they have amazing free massage chairs there! Massage chairs!
Of course my last short flight was delayed, but I eventually made it home to my kitties
...and friends and family of course
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