Explorations Off the Beaten Path

OK, it is Sunday here, which means pictures! I really didn't think I would have any to post. I know, I know, there are those out there who cannot imagine that I went a whole week without taking pictures. Well, the weather has been a bit dodgy. All wet and overcast and whatnot. I haven't done anything particularly exciting besides classwork and continuing my explorations. So, I really didn't think I would have anything.

Then, I went on a trip. Mark and Anna came over on Saturday morning to check out my presentation (I make my first speech to my host Rotary club on Monday evening), and afterwards we went for another drive. We drove around to see the old Lord of the Rings warehouses where things were filmed, and I got to see where Weta Digital still is. Then, we ate lunch in this building that is a converted oil well thing. Some Asian couple bought it, decontaminated it, and turned it into a cafe and home & garden store.






I had french toast with bacon (otherwise known as grilled ham) and bananas. It was delicious, and so much better than Mckenzies' food.

After lunch, we continued our drive around the coast. We went around the southern edge this time, down past Happy Valley (which ironically doesn't seem very happy), and then went off-roading along the coast. We were basically on a beach, but don't think FL beach. The closest thing I can compare it to is that beach we were on in Oregon (I believe) on choir tour so long ago where we climbed all the big rocks. I don't know who all out there is reading this from that tour, but imagine that with bigger waves. I could totally see why this area of the world is so big for surfing. These were some of the biggest "calm" waves I have ever seen, although the picture below doesn't really show that. You can see Mark's Jeep in the picture below; that's what we were driving around in.

There were also a TON of sea lions everywhere. Apparently this is a good time of year for spotting them. They smell really bad, are really loud, and pretty dangerous; they can move very quickly on dry land. I had a hard time seeing them at first because they blend in with the rocks. I was actually climbing around on rocks when I turned around and realized how close I was getting to these here. They're pretty lazy for the most part, though.

And, of course, the obligatory "I'm Still Alive" picture. I loved climbing around on the rocks!


This is Mark driving through what is known as "Hell's Gate," a part of "the Devil's Elbow." Anna and I had to get out and walk over to make sure no one was coming from the opposite direction.

We also went up on Mt. Victoria because it was a semi-clear day and not too windy. If you look closely, you can see my dorm. It is in about the center of the picture. You can see a taller building, black in the middle with two white stripes on either side, and just to the left is an orangey building. I live in the orangey building.