Camp Saddle

Brad was golfing at Christchurch golf course this Sunday and I went off with the tramping club to Camp Saddle. It was -2 C in Christchurch when we left at 8am, and when we started off it was -9 C at the mountain- a record experience for lots of people. But it warmed up and later on I was in a t-shirt. Sunny AND calm- that is one thing about winter here, there are far more calm days than in the summer. It was a beautiful walk with some great views, and good experience using crampons and an ice axe. As we passed through a narrow section (about 5 m wide) that looked prone to rock falls, a meter-wide boulder came down and missed my friend Myra by only about one meter! Scary- but luckily that sort of thing is a rare occurrence.

Field Hockey

After a month long trip back to the homeland, I am back in Christchurch. It's chilly- but field hockey is a winter sport here and it is quite popular. Our friend Todd plays and we went out to watch a game on Saturday. It is fast paced which makes it fun to watch- but it looks like it would hurt your back. They use small sticks shaped like candy canes, and the players really have to stoop down to hit the ball.

Thesis tweeting competition

Brad and I got first and second in the UC tweet your thesis competition- thanks to some wonderful friends who voted- especially Chris and Igor ;)
Brad couldn't be there for the photo.

 Me with the the other winners (from a news clip)

The point of it was to summarize your thesis in 6 "tweets" each no more than 140 characters- then a vote was held to determine winners. The 4 winners (1st, 2nd and two 3rd place) each got an ipod touch and a $75 gift card.

Hanmer Springs and Waiau River

 This weekend we took a trip to Hanmer Springs. Our friend Dustin who is living in Australia right now was visiting, and he and Brad did a jetboat tour on the Waiau river (and went golfing- of course). I was kayaking on the same river- and they drove right past (making nice big waves!) I think it will be the end of the kayaking season for me- it was only 4 degrees at 9am (although it warmed up to 15 by 11:30).

Southern India

 Indian cooking class (this is paneer). It was an excellent class- we learned how to make loads of Indian dishes from scratch!

 Candolim beach (Goa)

 Wild elephant

 Kerala Beach

 Our friend Biju and his family

 

Delicious seafood extravaganza in Mumbai

 Market in Goa

 Palaces galore!

 A sari. All the women wear these all the time- even when herding cattle and such. Although you can't expose your legs or upper arms, exposure of the stomach is ok.

 Portuguese churches in Goa

 Pearls in Hyderabad

 Hindu Temple (the most common religion in India)

 Jungle safari (sloth bears, deer, elephants and even a leopard!)

 Kerala Backwater cruise

 Varkala beach town (we loved this town!)

 Deer walking through the resort in the national park

 Ooty- It was much cooler in the highlands (but still warm!)

 Spice plantation- it was very interesting to see where the different spices come from

We had a crazy time in India. It was extremely hot- and we feared for our lives every time we stepped into a moving vehicle. Road rules don't exist! We were a little put off by the corruption and poverty that we read about in books and the newspaper and could see the results of everywhere- but overall people were extremely kind. We loved the "wilderness" areas and there were some great sights to be seen in the hills, jungles and beaches. Due to the pollution and super dense population (especially in the big cities- which are most cities) have a new-found appreciation for life in New Zealand and Canada!

Kaituna rafting

The day after we finished the canoe trip, we did a 2 hour rafting adventure out of Rotorua. We went down a 7 m waterfall (a little scary but we were assured that we should be fine if we tipped- 50/50 chance). Lots of fun!!

Whanganui River Canoe Trip

The Whanganui River is on the north island, and the canoe trip is part of the great walk system. It was really great to have the chance to do some "Canadian" canoeing- as they call it here. There was a fair bit of moving water on the trip- although there is ablsolutely nothing dangerous about the route if you do know how to steer a canoe. However, since most people don't, it is not surprising that many people tip in the rapids and that several people have died from hypothermia/drowning on this journey over the years. It is another reminder of how in this country (unlike in Canada), people are very much left in charge of their own safety and are usually expected just to use their own judgment. Anyway- it was a beautiful trip and we had a wonderful time! We had great weather and it much of the paddle was through beautiful native forest and gorges.