Friday, July 24, 2009

Just a quick post with a fast report of the last three days.

Wednesday, July 22 -- we had the opportunity to walk through a redwood forest right in the middle of NZ. We learned about their timber industry and what they are doing with bioplastics. Afternoon was spent at the Agrodome learning about sheep and farming.

Thursday, July 23 -- our first opportunity to make school visits in small groups. Very exciting. I had the rare opportunity to visit a specialized school for students with special needs. The evening we went to a Maori cultural show. Our first chance to see an actual haka performed. It was very well done. The evening was capped by the viewing of the geysers and hot chocolate.

Friday, July 24 -- today we traveled down into the geothermal valley and saw where the geysers had exploded in 1886 and again in 1917. Very beautiful. Looked a lot like Yellowstone NP but without the foul smell and with the look of the tropics. Then on to Lake Taupo. Spent the night at a Fishing Lodge along the Turanga River -- had a great walk through the woods and across a swinging bridge.

I'll try to add more details later, but had the opportunity for free internet. This is rare.