The Cave

There are places you just can't explain to people. It just doesn't make sense that you like them. But you do. Somehow. The cave is a small pocket of rock on the hills around Christchurch, but it has a large personality. We like the joke that it changes color with its mood. This small pocket of rock grows on you - the inverse bubble gum effect - the more you chew on it, the better the taste.

Enjoy the movie :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXKwItfwJx8&hd=1 - HD LINK

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is believed to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Commonly quoted in top 5 or 10 places to visit, its majesty is rivaled only by its scale. By visiting this place one can't help but reassess the saying ... Size doesn't matter :)

A glimpse of the valley

One of many waterfalls in the area (try and find me in this photo)

Our camper-van

Milford Sound's source of electricity

Underwater aquarium

Cruise ship in the sound

Valleys shaped by glaciers

Misty veil

After rain, Milford is filled with waterfalls

The dense rainforest of the west coast

Panoramas:

Panorama of milford on CleVR.com

Panorama of milford2 on CleVR.com

Panorama of milford4 on CleVR.com

Panorama of milford3 on CleVR.com

The Great Lakes

Large golden plains, rolling hills, long curving empty roads, and beautiful emerald lakes. The Great Southern lakes of New Zealand are probably the closest I have ever come to perfect driving scenery. This stretch of road, on your way south from Christchurch, should be experienced by anyone visiting New Zealand. There are many stops along the lakes, but the drive alone is equally impressive.

Panorama of tekapo on CleVR.com

Mt. Cook

Rising 3,754m above sea level, Mt. Cook or Aoraki is New Zealand's highest mountain. The whole area really imposes a great sense of scale and you can't help but wonder what kind of forces formed this area. The Tasman glacier, almost entirely covered by debris is a wonder in its self. If you are in New Zealand, you have to see this place.

(Approach to Mt. Cook)

(The Summit)

(Mt. Cook village)

(The Tasman Glacier)

Panorama of Mt.Cook on CleVR.com

Panorama of Lake Pukaki on CleVR.com

Fieldwork

(I was never short on "company")

(self portrait - me doing some mapping)

(the hut where I stayed at)

(check map for real life photo site location)

Most people don’t actually know what I’m doing in New Zealand. Ok ... most people know I’m here to do university, but what do at uni?

I study Geology. Volcanology to be a little bit more specific; anything and everything to do with volcanoes, and recently I finished a thesis about physical volcanology. Basically I go into the field and try to figure out what the volcano that existed in the past did and what it looked like. Just after the new year I went into the field for a few days. Alone, without power and running water, with only sheep and possums to keep me company - my own little version of “man vs wild” (mild though, very mild).

Some of the images show the hut where I stayed at, the valley that I worked in, sheep and some examples of the rocks I was working with.

Conclusion – It was an underwater volcano, 30Ma old and it looked a lot like the recent eruption at Tonga: LINK.

Of course the whole story is much more exciting but I’m afraid I might scare everyone away with my rambling, so if you want to know more … invite me over for tea :).

MAP UPDATE: the shape shows the location of my field area, North of Christchurch. There is also a tent icon that shows the location of the hut, plus a visual marker for the valley photo.

The Banks Bombshell

Paul always wanted a kayak. So Paul got a kayak. And all was good :)

Acting as two test bunnies, Paul and I took the "bombshell" for a test drive. The water was cold, the wind was moderate and spirits were high. We took it for a spin in Lyttelton Harbor - what is now only a remnant of a once active volcano. The location was perfect for the "research" vessel's maiden voyage and hopefully this is only the first of many adventures the little but mighty ship will undertake. May she have calm waters ahead!

Map update: location, trip path

The Spirit of Adventure

image - Disney, Pixar

Who would have thought that a cartoon would provide one of this year’s most inspirational messages. While it might appear like a movie about a house and pretty colored balloons, Up is so much more. It highlights the ever-increasing trend of society’s removal from that which is wild and untouched - nature. It points out, that surrounded by the urban environment, man is slowly loosing something ... Something we don’t do often, but we should. More like something we should take ...

... an Adventure.