Kia Ora!

Last week was rather low key for me since Jenn started her first week of work at a bank in town, so I had the days to myself. Tuesday and Wednesday I volunteered at two after-school girls clubs in Porirua. The girls clubs are sponsored by the NZ Guides, like Girl Scouts, although the girls club is a separate program. The first day was at Russell School, in a low “decile” (spell? - it means income) part of town. The girls were so much fun – all around 10 to 12 years old. They had “afternoon tea” first with hot drinks of Milo, apples and biscuits. This was their first week back to school from a two-week holiday, so the first day of club was not structured. The girls asked a lot of questions about me. I asked them if they knew where I came from – they guessed America. When I asked them to guess what state I was from the answers ranged from “Canada!” to “London!” Haha…not one girl knew the name of a state. I gave them a little talk about Texas and about being a nurse. The girls really seemed to love the attention and were very sweet – they even performed a few Maori songs for me. I look forward to spending more time with them as well as figuring out how to pronounce their names! Most of them have Maori names or something similar from surrounding Polynesian islands.

Thursday I did some shopping in Wellington, then met Jenn and Katie (American) for dinner at Chows. We ate some very classy Asian food – with chopsticks of course. After eating and chatting, we made our way over to Cuba St for church at Blue Print. Katie said she hadn’t met one Kiwi Christian since coming to Wellington, so I was excited to take her there. Dynamic speakers are always up – so as usual I wasn’t surprised when a man with long dreads got up to bring the message that evening.

Friday we were invited upstairs to play cards with our neighbors. They taught us to play a game called “Most” – a fun, fast paced game that I will definitely have to teach everyone at home. One of the quirks of the game is that the dealer deals however many cards he feels like distributing that hand. Jenn and I lost big time! Brook, Katie and Andy got us talking about Texas again and came up with a huge list of Texan things to get them from the States – including cowboy hats, enormous belt buckles, beef jerky, country music, etc. I don’t think the jerky could get through customs!

We’ve decided that Sundays will be our tramping day (not hitting the streets, but hiking the hills!). We heard about a track called Colonial Knob – leading up to a radio tower on one of the hills in the area. Jenn and I decided to make this our hike for the day. We took the bus to an area where we thought the track started. It took us a while to find it without a car, but we did. We started uphill (I may look thin and healthy, but climbing these hills is a killer workout) and found our way to a radio tower after about 45 minutes or so. The view was great and we took several photos, but I still couldn’t see the sea and there weren’t any signs, so we decided to keep walking. A major hike later we came to the top of another hill, that looked like it was the highest around – but we could still see another tower in the distance. Go for it? We did. Turns out, the last hill was the steepest yet AND it was Colonial Knob. We hopped a fence and sat on the edge of the hill looking out to sea, at the coastal hills and grazing sheep and cattle in the pasture. Brilliant! Mana Island was in our view, so I was sure to get a few photos to remember that experience. All along that 2-3 hour part of our journey a lone singing bird flew over our heads the entire time – leading us on – so peaceful! On our way back we took a different path, which to our delight, led us through a rain forest with palms, ferns, canopy cover, and trickling stream. It was beautiful.

That path led out to a campground where we found a toilet facility. As I came out I found Jenn surrounded by 4 little black and white ducklings. No mother to be found, we took a few photos, then kept walking. Well, the ducklings must have decided that Jenn was their new mommy, because they followed through the camp and right across a road. We nearly had a fit when two of the ducklings walked right under a fast moving car! Jenn couldn’t help but have compassion for these little orphans, so she got a box from a local garage and we took the ducks back up to the camp manager. He was quite familiar with them and took them back, saying he thought the mother would return but obviously he would have to take care of them since she had been missing for several days.
We found another path that said “To City Centre”. Not knowing which city center it was, we hit the trail and found ourselves in downtown Porirua. So, after about 4 ½ hours of hiking (and each of us falling once while tramping – what’s a little mud!), we rewarded ourselves with pizza and Pepsi on the river and then caught the train back home. Tumeki (too much/awesome)!Another great day in New Zealand. Check out the websites for more photos (the jcrouch5 one)

Last Tuesday I met with two ladies from the after school girls club program where I may volunteer. Katarena, the coordinator, found out I was a Christian and was so happy. She said she was praying asking God how she was going to be able to do it and felt like I was an answer to prayer. We spent a few hours together talking and she took me on a tour of the area to see the schools and other local sights of interest. I saw the golf club where Michael Campbell (famous Kiwi golfer) learned to play and Titahi Bay beach (a suburb right on the coast). Katarena was so sweet – I hope the volunteering works out.

Wednesday, I got up early to catch the train to the Mana station (about 10-15 minutes north of Tawa). I walked to the marina to wait for the Dept of Conservation boat that was to take me to Mana Island – my volunteer adventure for the next three days! The little red boat pulled up driven by a bearded, outdoorsy fellow named Hugh wearing wool DoC issue jumper, shorts and knee high rubber boots– I could tell this was going to be a trip! Doreen, an older woman, was also waiting for the boat. She was with the organization, Friends of Mana, the group that asked me to volunteer. She and I would work together during our stay. She has been with Friends of Mana for several years and became my personal guide on the island, as she was quite familiar with it all.

The ride across the sea to Mana Island was rather rough, but nothing compared to our wild roller coaster of a ride back. Many trips are cancelled due to the windy weather that causes some pretty big swells. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed wearing a life jacket for the first time ever. There is no time for seasickness when you focusing on survival.

Upon our arrival on the island, we were quickly sent to the “Rat Room” – a special room just for unpacking your luggage. We were told if any rodents jump out of our bags, we were to do the dirty work and kill them immediately. Mana Island is pest free – they did a major rat hunt several years ago (catching 204 rats in one night alone). The island is managed by the Dept of Conservation and supported by Friends of Mana. A very basic summary of the plan for the island – it had been cleared, farmed and used as pasture land for sheep and cattle for I think over 100 years. Its said the first export of wool from NZ came from Mana Island. The island was taken over with the intent to return it to its natural state, protected as a reserve for native New Zealand plants and animals - a lengthy restoration process.

There were six of us on the island for the rest of the week: Me and Doreen for nursery work, Hugh and Tony (full time island-dwelling DoC employees), Kelvin (contracted to pull undesirable plants “weeds” for 9 weeks on the island) and Di (weed pulling accomplice) – quite a crew. Tony got us oriented, then set us to work in the nursery. Doreen and I were “pricking out”. This means we were to take tiny tree seedlings from a tray full of sprouts and plant them in planters for continued nursery care. We fit the planters in the metal holders, filled them with moist soil, and then got to work. I planted exactly 1248 seedlings over the three days! (Check out the photos of the nursery.) Doreen and I talked and listened to NZ public radio while we worked. We took breaks for hot drinks and tramps around the island. Doreen was a great guide, showing me all the interesting historic spots on the island and pointing out new growth, bush, trees and wildlife. She explained that there is a specific way and order to reintroduce plants and animal species onto the island. For example, the tree seedling we were pricking out were important because when they were planted and growing, they would become “nursery” trees that would serve as a protective covering and environment for other species of plants to grow underneath. Amazing stuff (and God has all this going naturally – it just moves a lot quicker, relatively, when people are helping the process along in places like Mana Island)!

We were caught in a rainstorm Wednesday afternoon, but saw an amazing rainbow as a result. I only brought one pair of sneakers and they were completely soaked! I noticed a long row of large rubber work boots along the nursery wall (the popular fashion on the island – everyone was wearing them – with work pants tucked in of course). I found the only small pair, just my size, so Tony said I could borrow them until my shoes dried out. With those boots on I felt like I fit in a bit more with the conservation crowd. We all gathered in the evening to fix our meals (bring your own food) and relaxed before lights out at 9 pm when the generator shut off. I had borrowed a sleeping bag from Katie (upstairs neighbor), which kept me nice and warm during the cold rainy night. I am thinking it would be best to invent in a good backpacker’s backpack, sleeping bag and other tramping gear as it’s been necessary over the last several weeks.

The next day was much the same activities, with opportunity to help catch one of the rare flightless NZ Takahe birds for banding. Our gang cornered off the “Lockwood gang” of Takahe birds and singled out the bird yet to get an ankle band. I was even given a net in case it came running my way! Tony and Hugh carefully caught the bird, put on the band, took feather samples to send off to see if it was male or female, and weighed the Takahe before sending it off to rejoin the gang. Between pricking out, I went for a sunny walk along the beach and Doreen and I had time to sit in the woods to see if we could scout out any of the birds recently transported to the island (only heard a few). I did get to see quite a few geckos in the bait boxes around the island. Check out the photos for some visuals.

Friday morning we were all anxiously awaiting Hugh’s weather report as we were not sure if we would be able to get off the island due to strong winds. Hugh said to have our bags packed in case we had to leave quickly. We left just after lunch – leaving Tony to have the entire island for himself until the next volunteer group arrived on Saturday. After our “exciting” trip back to the marina, it was back home. Productive work and the reward of exploring the island and meeting new people – a brilliant way to volunteer.

Saturday night we were invited to a birthday party for our American friend Katie (works at the embassy). What a blast – she has a great house provided by the embassy in Wellington overlooking the hills and out to the water. Many of her coworkers came – Americans, Kiwis, and other internationals. The party was probably the first time we’ve been around so many Americans since we were back home – even though its great to be in another culture, it is still comforting to be around your own. We had a super time hanging out with Katie and her friends; she was a great hostess (and she had coveted Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups)!!!

Since we’ve been back…
We’ve become good friends with our neighbors upstairs. They invited us to the church plant that Brook pastors. Cindy took us to their Saturday night service where a worship band, Magnify, was playing and a guest speaker from The Rock church was speaking. Cindy introduced us to Cuba St – a funky, eclectic street with shops and cafes and interesting street performers. The group of us went to a café after church, then up to 3 Kiwi Cres (upstairs) to have tea. We really enjoy their company.

Monday we were up for another adventure with now named “Team Kiwi Cres”. Brook, Katie and her twin Sarah, and Cindy invited us out for some tramping near Days Bay and a picnic. We drove out to our trek and had a great time tramping around – I felt like I was in another world with all the amazing plants and new bird songs. The Kiwis in our group had an impromptu performance of traditional Maori song at the top of our trek (we caught it on video with the great view in the background). They are going to teach us a few songs before we leave so we can impress others with our cultural awareness. After our tramp, we had a pleasant picnic at a park near the beach, and then Cindy, Jenn and I took a walk along the shore. Cindy said that in the summer you can go to the shore and find pumice stones – no need to spend lots of money to exfoliate! We then all went out to a pier to have a look at the bay – Brook kept daring us all to jump off…maybe on a warmer day!

That evening we had the gang over for dinner – tacos and apple pie for dessert. We wanted to give them a nice Texas meal. We all watched Napoleon Dynamite together – they are big fans here too.

Wednesday, Cindy was taking care of her nephew Jacob, so she invited Russell and I to go to the zoo with them in Wellington. We took the train, and then caught a bus to the Newtown area. Oh…and I saw a scarce Dr Pepper in a dairy (little convenience store), so I BOUGHT it, but did not drink. My $2 DP had to have a special occasion for consumption (which turned out to be that night because I couldn’t wait that long).
At the zoo we had a great time checking out all the animals – see the photos. Jacob could not get enough of my camera, “Can I take a photo, Kelly?” He tried a few times – assisted – but usually ended up getting the animal’s rear-end. Jacob is 4 years old, in “Kindie” (kindergarten). After the zoo, we ate at a café, and then went over to the Te Papa museum to look at the Maori exhibits. There are just so many neat things to see in that museum!

So with our Kiwi friends, we are learning a lot of new slang. “Sweet as” (which sounds like you are not saying “as”) means something like that’s cool or ok! “Ta” is a short thank you. And certainly “cheers,” means hello/goodbye/thank you.

Thursday, Jenn and I had another fun day exploring the streets and stores of Wellington. I really wanted to go back to Cuba Street to look in all the funky shops. I have never seen more trendy, fashionable people in my life. Everyone (except me) wears the stuff from runways and magazines. Clothing is definitely more expensive here, but if you want to be unique, you can find something! Also, I decided it was time to check out Hell. (It was a lot harder to get there than you would think. We had to ask directions from our pastor who we saw on the road there – literally!) Haha…Hell is actually a pizza place that I heard about – and you know me and pizza. The menu consisted of all sorts of “sinful” pizzas – wrath, pride, sloth, lust…etc. It certainly was delicious. I may have to go back again! That night we went to Blueprint again, the church off Cuba St. That evening they were describing all the ministries of the church that have taken off recently and Brook gave a great sermon.

Yesterday I met with a lady from Volunteer Porirua. She helped hook me up with several organizations that I could help out while I am here. Two of them called me last night while we were watching a movie upstairs. I am really pumped…I may be helping out with a Girls Club after-school program once a week. I am meeting with the leaders for lunch this afternoon. AND…Wednesday through Friday (overnight) I will be going on a Dept of Conservation/Friends of Mana Island trip out to Mana Island (restricted island that only DOC people can get to) for “pricking out.” Basically I will be planting seedlings so they can root. Sounds like there will only be about 6 people on the island! Wow – I am a bit nervous, but what a way to explore New Zealand!

That’s some of my adventures from this past week! Check out the photos from our tramping day and visit to the zoo.