last volunteer project

so we are finally done with the volunteering bit of our trip and this week was actually a lot of fun with a few exceptions. On Monday we left Nelson (Scott's home -- we had dinner at his house with his family one night, which was really nice and watched the best movie i have seen in a while -- Whale Rider -- lots of Maori culture in it, so it was cool watching it knowing what was going on). We drove about and hour and half to get to Nelson Lakes (Rotoirti), which was where our last project was. We set up camp, which was covered in sand flies (those are evil tiny bugs that eat you alive). After we set up camp we realized we were sharing the campsite with lots of families of ducks. I named on Caroline, and a hurt baby Emma. It was a lot of fun being around animals -- that seriously would sit 2 inches away from you waiting for food to drop. Had to watch where you stepped because you might step on them. So that Monday we started to work right away -- we went to the DOC office and met John, Geth, Hayden, Paul, and more. They told us we were going to put some posts in the ground and then go mountain biking, which i hate. Clearing the path and putting in posts was easy, but the short mountain biking trail, which was relativley easy, HURT a lot and made me nervous. I do not like biking on uneven ground. sigh.

We were done after that mountian biking and i was grateful because i was exhausted. This campsite compared to everywhere else was a five star hotel. It was flush toilets, four hot showers, laundry!, and a kitchen area. it was pretty sweet, and i was so happy to be there -- minus the sandflies, which really did eat me alive. The next day we had a treat waiting for us -- a helicoper ride!! however, we had to wait around 4 hours for the weather the clear to take the ride. During those four hours we all did crossword puzzles, which seems to be the game of choise between us all. Finally when the weather cleared we were given the thumbs up to go. The ride was about 4 minutes long, which it was amazing. the views were beautiful. It was a smooth ride up and we landed on top of Mt. Roberts (1500 meters) and started work. We torn our culverts and unneeded stairs and when we were done we hiked down the mountain -- which was beautiful. I took some amazing pictures. I hope to put them up soon. The hike down was rough on my knees tho. they dont like going downhill anymore. Once down, we were done with our day. I believe this was the day I jumped into the ice cold lake by our campsite. It was fun, but I was glad to get out. These lakes were fed by glaciers once upon a time. That night we went back to the DOC offices to watch a presentation about what they are doing around the National Park. Thy are trying to g et all the rodents our of the bush so birds can flourish again -- like kiwis!! which we didnt get to see :(

On day three we went into the forest to fix rodent traps. We split into pairs (i was with Dom) and did a track each. It was fun and a good work out, and i was done after my track, but Scott voted us to clear a bigger and longer track, which turned out to be a mistake because I, and two other people were attacked my wasps. I was stung once, Jordan was stung once, and Bennett was stung four times. NO fun. I was ready to get out of the bush that day. The rest of the day was a lazy day.

On our last day of working (we left early because we were warned of monsoon like raining coming our way -- and there is no way you want to pack up in those conditions) we helped plant trees and brush by a river bank that was wached away in rain and snow storms. These plants were going to help keep the bank solid and in tact. After lunch we then planed some more and cut down willow trees (which are a pest in NZ). That day went by fast. We packed up and left for Panukaiki, a very very snall town on the west coast RIGHT on the Tasman Sea. The sea is so pretty and the waves are the biggest I have seen in life. I went into them and they were so much fun, but the water was cold. My body got used to the temp quickly tho. All that was in this town was a pub, a little cafe, and the pancake rocks, which are stacked rocks that looks like stacks of pancakes. We also walked the Truman Trail, which was scenic. After two nights I was itching to get out of the town. We are now in another bigger town, but I am not sure what its called....oh Hokitika. After we eat lunch here we are going to Okarita (i think thats the name) to go sea kyaking in a lagoon. That sounds be nice. I hope the weather gets better because its raning here right now. Sigh. Well I am out. Ill update with more details when I am in Queenstown. Miss you all!!

Cheers!

p.s. sorry i dont spell check -- but i have to write fast because i dont have a lot of time on the comps and checking for errors takes up a lot of time.