New Zealand trip begins

New Zealand Trip
Dec 28, 2012-February 4, 2013


This is a blog of our two-part New Zealand trip. We will be renting a car and driving the South Island for sightseeing, hiking, white-water rafting and kayaking on our own using an itinerary arranged through www.experiencenz.com. The second part of the trip is bicycling the North Island with www.backroads.com.



First, we had to get in shape for the hills of New Zealand.






It seems like preparations for this trip have gone on for weeks. Not only trying to get ourselves in biking shape but we've got miles to walk on our various hikes.

Packing was a particular challenge in that we are anticipating everything from warm summer temperatures to glacier environs. We have biking outfits, hiking outfits, glacier walk outfits, swimming, river rafting and kayaking attire and of course our "dress-up" clothes. We are not "traveling light".


Finally, our departure day arrived and we happily set off.


Dulles Airport










We flew from Washington-San Francisco-Auckland-Wellington and, finally after 19 1/2 hours flying time, landed in the Middle of Middle Earth, land of the Hobbits, Wellington, NZ.



Wellington International Airport










The Museum Hotel, our home for the next four days, was initially located on the other side of the street, moving to its present site in 1993. Facing demolition to make way for the new and now famous, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, the hotel made a 120-meter journey down an inner city street on wheels and temporary railway tracks.










The Museum Hotel

Not wanting to waste any time, we struck out to see some of Wellington. Our first stop was the Sunday market across the street from the hotel. We were looking for a tasty bite.

The Harbourside Outdoor Market has fresh fruit and produce along with some unusual food stands, including Cambodian food, a Canard Croissant stand and a farm-raised venison food tent.




Naturally, we headed for the venison tent where we met a happy, chatty, New Zealander, John Douglas, who supplies deer venison to restaurants,and local farmer’s markets from his farm and B&B, Lovat Downs www.lovatvenison.co.nz located on the South Island. John takes the ferry to Wellington to the market. We indulged in his tender, tasty venison pita.


What a find!












Looks yummy Jerry!










As we walked along the waterfront we spotted something we never would have expected, ships from the famous Sea Shepherd fleet. The ship named the Bob Barker and featured on the tv show "Whale Wars" is one of the vessels owned by the International non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. They use direct- action tactics to investigate, document, and expose violators of the world-wide whaling treaties.




Thanks to a $5,000,000 contribution from American television personality and icon Bob Barker, Sea Shepherd was able to quietly purchase and refit the former Norwegian whaler in Africa. The ice-strengthened, fast, chaser boat quietly departed from Mauritius on December 18th to head for Wellington harbor.








Accompanying the Bob Barker is the Brigitte Bardot, a 115 foot stabilized, monohull trimaran with a maximum speed of 24 knots.











During their stay at the Wellington docks the crew was provisioning for a trip to Antarctica to confront the Japanese whaling ships.



For more information look up www.seashepherd.org.




We shall continue to document our trip with comments and photos so watch for additional posts.

In the meantime, we wish every one a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Short summer cruise 2012

July 9, 2012



We have been provisioning for days in anticipation of our little summer cruise. The first stop is Bimini where we will deliver a year's supply of art supplies and equipment to the Bimini All Ages School. Mr. Pinder, the art teacher, emails us his list and we purchase what he needs. We've been contributing these supplies for years and it is always rewarding to see the work the kids are able to create with proper art materials.

The art supplies and some fruits and vegetables and meats for our friend/fishing mate, Willie will be welcomed happily.

The balance of our provisioning is groceries.

Our trip is planned for three days in Bimini and three days in Nassau where we will look forward to the arrival of Galen, Joy, Garrett and Kendrick.
While in Nassau, Jay will fly home and we will continue the trip with the family.

Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini

Travelers:
Jerry, Nancy, Capt. Jay O'Neill

We left our dock at the Venetian condo early the morning of the 9th and crossed the Port Everglades channel markers approximately 8:am.

In order to conserve fuel we cruised at about 10 knots for 2+ hours. Around 10 we picked up speed to blow some carbon out of the engines.

It was a nice leisurely ride to Bimini where we arrived about 12:15pm.

Approaching the island of Bimini is always a treat. The crystal clear waters in multiple hues of blue and green have an immediate effect. We are entering a different world.

The Bimini chain of islands includes the small islands of North Bimini and South Bimini--connected by a shallow flat. It has a fascinating history. As the closest Bahamian island to the United States, Bimini served as a convenient offshore speakeasy and liquor store during prohibition. Rum runners stored their prize both ashore and on a concrete Liberty ship called the Sapona that still rests where it grounded during a hurricane. Now it is one of the favorite snorkeling spots in Bimini.

Ernest Hemingway is closely tied to Bimini's history, leading the way for generations of fishermen who pitted themselves against the fabulous blue marlin, one of the world's feistiest game fish. I use the past tense "pitted" because those days are gone. Certainly Hemingway is gone but so are the blue marlin-- at least they are not here in the numbers they used to be.

Bimini has changed over the years. The local haunts are gone. Poor economy has taken its toll. The little island which is only 7 miles long depends solely on tourism and with a down economy people aren't coming like they used to.

But, we continue to come. It is one of my favorite spots. We've made great friends here and always feel welcome.

For me, approaching Bimini is always magical.










The approach to North Bimini and the channel through the flats. South Bimini is to the right.





Approaching the Bimini Big Game Club and Marina.


Just as we are tying up, Willie appeared. He has been our fishing mate since we started coming here. He was 17 years old. Now he is 45 and he still guides us to the Wahoo and Dolphin fishing grounds.





Jay tying the lines, Willie at the dock talking with Jerry.




I am always happy to get to Bimini. As I said earlier, Bimini is one of my favorite places.


After settling in, we unloaded the art supplies and some gardening supplies for the agriculture teacher.








The dock looked like a littered mess. We had gallons of school glue, 2-part epoxy, wood glue, acrylic paints, brushes, canvases, computer ink, copy paper, two skill saws, yards of rug canvas and over 100 packs of colored rug yarn. The agriculture teacher needed organic soil, plant food and lots of vegetable seeds.


After getting everything off the dock, Mr. Pinder, the art teacher and a few of his students took a break for a visit.





Willie with Mr. Pinder and three of his students.

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Location:Bimini, Nassau, Upper Exumas

Farewell

Monday, March 26

During the past four days our seventeen volunteers made a huge difference in the life at Kisima. But, the children and teachers still are in need of so many things.

The dormitories still do not have enough bunk beds and the small children sleep three maybe four to a mattress.

Two mornings a week they only have tea for breakfast, meat once or twice a week, one egg a week, one piece of fruit a week and rarely any vegetables.

While we did bring some school supplies, their lesson books were in tatters. There are no drawers in the school desks so there is no place to put their things. They are in need of text books appropriate to their age and grade level.

Monday was our final day to finish the projects and make whatever last minute purchases we could.

A few volunteers took up a collection amongst themselves to combine with previously donated funds to purchase mattresses to replace the worn out ones on the existing bunk beds. Because Sarah and I were still in Kitali town purchasing shoes for the kids, I missed the opportunity to photograph one of the safari vans returning with fifteen mattresses--some in the van and some tied to the top.




Shoe shopping.












Fresh cut lumber was delivered from the "timber" yard so a bookshelf could be made for one of the classrooms. The original plan was to build one for each classroom but we ran out of time. And, everything took time. The school only has a few hand tools and getting materials is difficult since they have no vehicle.

This photo shows a moment of frustration when the hard green wood proved to be almost too much for the hand saw. Soon after this shot, the saw broke.












When I went to the play yard to photograph the newly installed swings and volleyball net a group of boys followed. They love to pose and have their pictures taken. They were wearing new t-shirts that were overruns from a US conference.



In this photo the swings are taped to the bars so the kids won't use them before the concrete sets.



















After this shot, they said, "one more, one more" and lead me to the Kisima sign.



It is painted on one of the small cow dung buildings that currently serves as a storeroom.








While in the vicinity, I caught this photo of one of the boys pumping water from the well so the other kids could get a drink.




























I also walked to the front gate and saw the line of families still waiting to come to the clinic. During our stay, the medical team saw close to two hundred individuals from the community.

















Waiting outside the clinic.












Later in the day it was time to distribute the last items that were brought--knit caps for the boys. One might ask, "Why would caps be appropriate in that hot arid climate?"









The love them!
















I mentioned that they liked to pose for the camera................











We made our preparations to leave.









But, not before the kids gathered in the courtyard for more songs.
















Some of the teachers
















and some of us.













As the sun began to set,













the students started to gather for the lowering of the flag.

























It was now time to go but, not before Director Martin and his wife, Margaret expressed their appreciation for all that had been accomplished and the difference that has been made in these few days.




We drove out of the gates knowing we had made a difference but there is still much to be done.

Kisima: Last Days

Sunday, March 25

Each morning we were out of the hotel by 8:30. Today, Sunday, we arrived to find all the kids scrubbed and in clean uniforms. They were preparing for their Sunday church service. It was held in one of the classrooms--all the resident students, some teachers and the seventeen of us.
The kids enthusiastically participated in each part of the service and when they sang their faces lit up. They love music and singing.

Sunday is unstructured and eventually many of the day students return to spend the day.


We engaged the group in a variety of activities such as reading from some of the books that were donated.........













playing ball in the courtyard......














and more puzzles. The kids are like sponges and absorb anything new.













Additionally, a class was held for the teachers to instruct them on how to use some of educational materials and teaching tools that were brought.

At mid-day the lunch bell rang. At this time on previous days each of us would go to the little storeroom that had been set aside for us and grab our granola bars, almonds, dried fruit, etc. Today however the chef switched his Sunday menu and served pinto beans and rice for lunch instead of dinner.



He wanted us to try them.












They were quite good and afterwards I stopped by the kitchen to return my bowl and compliment him on his tasty beans.














After lunch it was time to distribute the donated clothing. The kids patiently lined up to await their turns while this young man shows off his new orange cargo pants.







Gerda Fink, who organized this trip and is the primary supporter of Kisima sponsors this boy who is excited about his ROCK pinball t-shirt.







Too many choices.






Don't even think about it!



Happy little girls with their new dresses.




Tomorrow, Monday is our last day. It is bitter sweet because a great deal has been accomplished yet, everyone is tired and feels like they will never get the red-clay dirt out of their clothes, shoes and hair.

In an earlier blog post I mentioned that we had to wash our clothes every night. Well here is a photo of our bathroom at the Mid-Africa Hotel. We washed our clothes each night in a tub just like the kids at Kisima did. A side note about the photo-- the bathroom was "all-in-one"and everything was washed in cold water including our bodies--not by choice, it's just that, well--it is what it is!







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