Trip to Rangitoto Island

I took advantage of the amazing, but hot, weather on my last full day in New Zealand to take a 20 minute ferry ride out to Rangitoto Island. I've been able to stare out of the island every time I walk out the door of my hotel or go for a run along the shore, so it only made sense to check it out.



FYI, Rangitoto Island is the largest, youngest and one of the least modified of about 50 volcanic cones and craters in the Auckland volcanic field. It erupted from the sea in a series of dramatic explosions around 600 years ago, and is now extinct. It dominates the local seascape and a visit there is like stepping into another world. The is land is a public reserve managed by the Department of Conservation and is famed world-wide as a botanical gem.

Field Visit - NZ Style

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join Landcare Research colleagues James and Suzie and drive around the Hurunui and Waiau catchment that I am modeling for work. It was a great experience, as not only did I get to verify that the data that I have is correct (mostly correct, that is), but I also got a detailed look at farming and livestock practices in New Zealand. It's a bit different than the US, as almost all dairy, beef, and sheep operations are pastoral grazing (not many feedlots here), and most of the irrigation goes to pasture and not crops. Here are some photos from the field visit. Note the diversity in landscape across the catchment, as it ranges from flat plains to very hilly terrain.



Additionally, here is a map where all of the photos were taken within the catchment.

Mt Cook/Mueller Hut Photos

Here's a video and some of the photos from my trip up to Mueller Hut. Even most of these pictures do not do the place justice. Absolutely Breathtaking!

Weekend at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

It's only been 4 days since I arrived down here in NZ, but I've already headed down to the South Island for some good 'tramping' in the Southern Alps before I needed to head over to Christchurch and North Canterbury to go visit some farms for work Monday. The trip started and ended at Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, but the best part was the middle of it where I spent the night up at about 6000ft (1900m) in Mueller Hut. I just got down the mountain and still need to sort through all the photos before posting here, but wanted to at least give you a taste of what I see from the visitors center. More to follow in the next day or so...



PS - Mt. Cook is the one in the back. It's the highest peak in New Zealand at about 3700+ meters (12000 ft).

Hillary Down Under

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in down here in New Zealand, in the midst of an 8 country tour through the Pacific. While it does not look like any "big" business will be created or new trade agreements signed a result of her visit, PM Key and her did manage to sign the Wellington Declaration. The Wellington Declaration is symbolic document described as a strategic partnership focused on two main areas: enhanced political dialogue "including regular foreign ministers' meetings and political-military discussions" and co-operation in the Pacific. Check out her welcome procession:

Adam's In New Zealand!

I'm in New Zealand for the next month working on a project for Landcare Research that models land use impacts of agriculture and forestry practices on the country's watersheds. Here are some of the highlights of my first day.

1. Arrive at AKL at 5am. Have a quick wash and head off to the office. Feeling well rested because I got a sweet seat in the plane, row 1 aisle of economy class that let me stretch my legs out!

2. Meet all of my colleagues at work. Everybody is super nice and chatty, treating me like I am already their friend. Surprisingly, I have no problem understanding anybody's accent. I leave work mid-afternoon when the jet lag hits and head over to the hotel.

3. Check into the Aarangi Motel, located half a block from the beach. Suddenly don't feel sleepy anymore and take an hour long walk along the beach. Every 1 kilometer or so, stop into a small shop to check the scene.

4. Realize that there is a bi-weekly race called the Stroke and Stride that comprises of a 500 meter ocean swim and 5k run that starts and ends at the beach right in front of my hotel. Decide on a whim to enter. Why not, you only live once!

5. While waiting for the start (literally 30 seconds before the gun), see 3 orcas (killer whales) breach in the middle of the swim course, about 100 meters off shore. Others around me seem a bit nervous, but the race director assures us that it's no big deal. We delay the start for a few minutes for the whales to continue on.

6. The gun goes off and 400+ people (mostly in wetsuits, but me in my speedo) sprint to the water. It's absolute chaos in the cold but bearable sea. I settle into the middle of the pack and just try to survive from being run over or kicked in the face.

7. 8 minutes later, get out of the swim and start running on the paved path along the beach. People aged 12 to 70 are passing me - something I am not used to in the US when I tend to be at the front of the pack. I try to blame it on the fact that I just got off the plane, but realize that New Zealanders are just really into this sport. Heck, they won gold and silver medals in the 2004 Olympic Men's Triathlon.

8. Hang around after the race eating really yummy free sausages, fresh of the "barbie". The race director announces some random names to come and get 'spot prizes.' My name gets called as, "Adam....I'm not gonna butcher his last name, but I think he's American." I walk up and choose some blister proof goo (the other choice was soap for a car wash).

9. Head back to the hotel and try to watch election returns, but end up passing out by 9, which was late enough to see the Republican massacre. At least they didn't take the Senate!

To sum up, a great first day in New Zealand. You can see some more photos here. I'll continue to post during my month-long trip down here.

Cheers Matey!

Vidya Featured In Hindu Newspaper!

Jewel in the crowd
by BINDU TOBBY

Economics Major turned jewellery designer Vidya Gopal says her venture Adya started as a fun activity.

“I strongly feel that we no longer need to have careers defined by one aspect of our education or strengths; we have the ability to develop multiple interests and work in areas that speak to us in diverse ways,” says Vidya Gopal, quite simply.

With a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a Masters degree in Economics (from The Ohio State University, USA) becoming a jewellery designer was not really a natural extension of her educational background.

Her venture ‘Adya' started out as a simple interest after she was introduced to the techniques of making necklaces and earrings by her mother-in-law who used to have a jewellery business herself. “It was always a fun activity for me to work with her collection of beads whenever I visited. Given my love for travelling and shopping, I started developing a collection of beads during my trips. I was able to create designs that incorporated the different cultural influences, arts, and crafts of the places that I had visited,” says Vidya.

Her pieces try to mirror her global experiences and each of them, which is one of a kind, is further customised to the specifications that her clients have.

She says, “One my favourite beads is the ‘Shiva's Eye' from Dharamsala. It is a beautiful shell bead with a natural swirl and while the swirl has many connotations across different cultures, (Tibetan symbol for the origins or seed of the universe) this symbolism resonated with me deeply as I started my new venture.” She adds, smiling, “As I combine these beads in my designs I hope that it carries that feeling of new beginnings and potential energy for those who wear the jewellery, apart from looking stunning!”

Her first local exhibition in Bangalore was at the 2009 Christmas Bazaar at the Spastics Society of Karnataka, followed by a small showing at the ‘Things' boutique in Domlur earlier this year.

Her online store is based at Etsy (a global community of buyers and sellers of handicrafts ranging from jewellery to furniture) and designs (mainly necklaces) are available online at adyadesigns.etsy.com.

A peek at the online store is a treat with each piece captivating you with its brilliant colours, combinations and subtle elegance.

Since Adya does not have a retail presence in India, the prices currently listed against each of her pieces are US dollar prices but she is happy to work with any clients locally and discuss materials, pricing and specifications of the jewellery.

She adds, “The next steps for Adya Designs in terms of evolving the product further is to source beads and materials from local women's co-operative societies, communities and artists at fair trade prices — sourcing papier-mâché beads from women co-operatives in Ghana or Tibetan beads from the refugee community for example would not only address the global perspective that is part of the design of the product, but also allow me to play a small part in helping promote and sustain local arts and handicrafts around the globe”

Vidya can be contacted on adyadesigns1@gmail.com or through the online store website at adyadesigns.etsy.com

Note, the original online article can be found on the Hindu newspaper website here.