this is the cabin we stayed in
we planted trees and bushes to help feed the native birds
we cleaned trash off the beach and got to enjoy some free time. This is my favorite tree to date! Its roots are upturned so that you can crawl into them. Its like a little hideaway fort and there's even a swing!
the sun set over the water as we ate dinner
we planted seeds we gathered from around the island
we wrapped up pohutukawa trees to keep them safe from the spraying they are doing later this week. they are spraying the yellow gorse bushes which are not native and choke out other native nz plants on the island
This weekend ended up being one of the nicest weekends I've spent yet. On friday I wanted to do something special for mom so I went out to dinner with some friends. We went to a korean restaurant that I hadnt been to before and it turned out to be really great. Afterwards we went out for dessert and I ordered chocolate gelato. I know she would have really enjoyed it:)
Saturday morning I set out for my volunteer project on Motuihe Island. The island is very small and it is situated in between Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island. Its incredibly beautiful with heaps of green fields green, gnarled trees, and sandy beaches. Mom would have been so inspired by the landscapes as well as the gorgeous plantlife. Their goal is to make the island into a type of wildlife reserve for native plants and birds that people can visit and come to really appreciate the natural beauty of New Zealand. They called it a "recreational reserve". We helped out by collecting and planting seeds, cleaning up trash and that type of thing. We also got some free time to hike around the island and enjoy the beautiful beaches. I also got a chance to see heaps of native New Zealand birds! I saw pukeko, ducks of paradise, saddlebacks, fantails, and a type of small owl that I can't remember the name of. It was really neat! One of the main volunteers on the island told me that in June they will be releasing kiwi onto the island! I think I am going to go back for the release.
No one else lives on the island except for the dock master and the park ranger so that night there were a total of 11 people on the island. It was a really cool feeling. I think Motuihe is definitely my favorite island so far and I can't wait to go back!
P.S. all of these pictures are taken on my new camera! My old camera was having lens problems so I had to buy a new one. My Taupo pictures were complement of David and Christy's cameras. Thanks!
