Story of field trip

Yes, so what about my geology field trip? It was great despite being very tiring and sometimes wanting to quit hiking around the place. I was swapped to another station that helped make it even more fun. There were few people staying at Island Hill station and the lab demonstrator paid attention to everyone. The other station was called Glens of Tekoa and was the main station where we had our bbq on the fourth night. The first day started with driving to the place which took a bit more than 2 hours. After having lunch at the main station and putting all gears in the station, all of us head off to the stream and started looking at the outcrops and writing the information down. Yes, my feet got wet but I was wearing my sports shoes that time. We finished at about 5 pm and headed back for dinner. I was so hungry and I ate whatever was served to me. I couldn't be afford to be choosy about the western food that they served. That night, we spent on transferring information we got to the big geological map (twice the size of A3) and sitting around the fire in the lounge.

On the second day, there were more hiking at the mountains and at the edge. According to my map, it was around 400m high from sea level. I wore my boots that day and my feet wasn't that wet. It was scary when I looked down. One of the lab demonstrator walked behind as I don't feel left out because I am one of the few to walk behind. Hey, I am not a fast walker when it comes to hiking up the hill and walking at the edge of the mountains. Plus, it was really steep. If I miss a step, I could have roll down the edge in seconds. Yea, you could say that I was praying that I don't fall. I actually twisted my knee. It was painful but I kept going. If I stopped, I would be stuck at the edge and couldn't walk down. I also had a 20% exercise to hand in that day. I told myself, at the rate of hiking here and there, I think I don't have to go to the gym for at least one month.

On the third day, we were split into 4 groups of 4 (this is just the Island Hills people). We were allowed to wander around by ourselves but we were to go to suggested place. The lab demonstrators will be wandering around to help everyone. 2 groups were assigned to take anti-clockwise and clockwise routes. My group and another group ended up working together and spread out in the area and taking information so we finished early that day. People started to fight to shower first because there weren't enough hot water for everyone. I managed to shower first. Yay!

On the fourth day, we were taken to Coal Creek. You can't say it is a small stream because it is not. There are a lot of bushes, thorns etc. Basically we have to bash through the bushes and thorns in order to get to the other side. Yea, can hear a lot of ouches along the way. There was one time, I grabbed the grass to prevent me from falling, not realizing it was thorns so yea, I was yelling ouches. We reached the other end of Coal Creek and had lunch. As usual, I was the last one to come out. But that was because a friend led us to climb the hill beside the creek and there was a long queue behind me. Hehehe.. I had to let them go first because I took a long time. During lunch, the other students ripped one page from our waterproof notebook to make a boat and made it race at the stream. So, this is what geologists do during their free time. >< The rest of the afternoon was spent on walking along the stream and getting information. That night, we had bbq at the main station.

This waterproof notebook cost NZD22.50. o_O

 

We used the hammer to hit on the rocks. Lab demonstrator said that we can vent out our frustration while hitting on the rocks. Hahaha..

The next day, we were again allowed to wander at the mountain in front of the main station. I brought my phone this time and switched it on. Yes, 2 messages, one from Em and the other one from mum's friend. One hour before lunch, my group of 4 people decided to walk through the other side of the mountain. Again, we have to bash through the bushes and thorns but this time, the bushes were over our height so we had to yell out where each of us are and followed the voice. Then we split into 2 groups and spread out walking. This friend and I walked for a long time and when we finally came out from the mountain, it was almost 1pm. The teammates found us when we came out from the mountain and we were taken on a fast track route with a lab demonstrator. We had an easy route in the afternoon. We got back at about 4.30pm. That night, we went to the main station to have drinks as it was the last night and they also wanted to socialize.

I guess the photos are not nice to see here so I think I will put it up in my blogspot instead. Probably much clearer as well. The place is beautiful.