After nearly 14 years of studying, I may finally have
conquered the question that has constantly eluded me: which seat on the
aeroplane minimises the odds of someone sitting next to me. A complex
formula of proximity to the back of the plane, a window and late check in all
resulted in a utopian plane journey
where I had either two to three seats to myself for the whole trip. Once arrived I settled in quickly before
starting work the following morning.
Work at the museum is very cool, and offers a chance to see
a whole other side of the scientific world.
I am getting an amazing opportunity to meet all the people involved in
both the conservation of specimens and exhibition organisers.
Our first weekend, we went on a trip North to
Tongariro National park, about 3.5 hours north of us here in Wellington. The weather was incredibly and we climb up
through a coll between two active peaks.
First day we arrived early enough to have a mini walk to see a couple of waterfalls
Next morning we headed out before dawn to get an early start before the crowds (its like Ben Nevis in the summer!). The mountains are all voclanic, with great craters and lakes dotted in between.
This lovely looking late is fitted with sulphur and there were small vents pumping it out, so it certainly looks better than it smells !
If you look carefully you can see that we are essentially being told we are standing next to an active volcano.
However, you only need to look straight up from this sign, to get a good idea of this!
But looking in the other direction, you get the beautiful view of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand.
An amazing hike and the best weather you could think of. It still hasn't rained once since I got here, but I am told this will not last....lets see!
