I have a lot of photos to share so I wont write too much; I'm trying to limit my super long posts!
To sum my day's events up I had my first New Zealand field trip today. We went to One Tree Hill, which ironically didn't have any trees at all. The "one tree" was cut down some time ago by Maoris to make some point.
I feel like I'm letting everyone down for not remembering the details of this story! I think it was pretty interesting.
But what can I say- I'm painfully human.
At the second stop we hiked a bit through a chunk of forest. We had to disinfect our shoes twice because there is a super contagious tree-fungus that lives in the soil there. I'll probably wash them even more thoroughly when I get the time!
Lastly we went to a beach and, like everywhere else, I forgot the name of it. We saw a colony of birds (forgot the species- sigh) and got to see some blowholes. You know, the holes in rocks that water shoots up through when a wave fills the cavern underneath? The tide was pretty much completely in, so there wasn't a lot to see. Still Beautiful!
After that we bused back home and got ready for our dinner. "We" meaning both the Kayla's and my hot date, Mlee. We got reservations to a super nice seafood restaurant called Harbor Side; at least I think that's what it was called.
Here we go!
Monument/statue thing at One Tree. I really need to pay more attention to what things are called
View from One Tree Platform
Where the last tree stood- the Sky Tower's in the background
Emily!
Forest place/thing. We were at a kind of museum and this was the view
Mlee and StephSteph
Right before our hike
Jordan, Britha, and Amanda. I'm not sure who's on the ground.
Just kidding! Mackenzie's on the ground!
Cool tree
Trail
This bird was about the size of a chicken!
Beach...obviously!
Bird colony
More birds. It smelled so bad!
Kind of where the blowholes were
My lovely date!
Our view
Grilled king salmon with something tomato on top and a basil sauce. And fried fennel. It was pretty good.
I feel like I'd be a terrible food blogger.
My new hair, everybody!
Kayla#2, Kayla#1, Mlee, and myself
Panna cotta, as fiercely recommended by our cute waiter!
Chocolate mousse cake with a cherry compote- so yummy!
...
I haven't been feeling well lately, and today I was nauseated by pretty much all food. Except, weirdly, apples. So when we stopped for lunch, I asked a few people if they had an apple they'd share. Britha did, and she insisted I take it even though she wanted it; I was very appreciative!
But it was a few minutes later that my cousin Hannah came up to me and held out a big, shiny, red apple. She said that she bought it for me because she didn't want me to feel sick!
I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people. And even more lucky to have two amazing cousins who love and look out for me!
I hope that everyone who reads this has their own apple givers in their life.
Happy Valentines day- again!
Of course you got bangs again! Crazy girl! You look adorable, I missed you on V-day!): Went to the mall again but it wasn't the same without you. Love you tons!!!!
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