November 28
Bought a surfboard as a souvenir.... Primal 6' 3" shortboard. So much faster then the 7' 3" Mini Malibu. Have to relearn everything
November 27
Thanksgiving, really hard day being away from my family. Created a video of them of a typical walk i take daily. today is also the last day of my 14 week off campus experience.
Nov 22-Nov 26
Working on project and pretty much nothing else. Frustrated with ocp manual which makes FORWARD progress difficult
November 21
Big day surfing 8 foot waves, learned how to properly measure waves. Also did some christmas shopping to try and get that out of the way
November 19
Went to Karekare and decided to do comparison to Piha: Layout and forms of tourism as well as environment impacts
November 15
The 2nd R&R meeting, this one was an open meeting about where the Piha Post Office is going to go.
This one is going to be a long one
This one is going to be a long one
November 14
Twilight Bowling Tournament every friday at the Bowling Club in Piha. I decided to try my hand at this very strange sport. Like I stated very early on bowling is similar to bocchi ball except the balls have flat sides on them and you roll them instead of hurling them. The other end of the field plays similar as you have the Jack (small white ball) and you try to get as close as you can with your ball. We had a 4 on 4 game. I of course had to bowl first as you want the best players to bowl last in order. You face away from field and put the mat down (homeplate) turn back around and roll the Jack. Then you line the Jack up with the marker and the mat. So now I had to roll the ball. An important thing to note is the ball having 2 flat sides, one side is a large flat spot and will curve/bend the roll that direction. I give the ball a roll..... you really dont need much force behind these balls as they roll very fast, my first 5 or 6 rolls all ended up in the ditch at the end of the field but I started getting used to it towards the end. The important thing about this game was getting to interact and have fun with everyone. Age wasnt really an issue, although the younger folks didnt seem quite interested in the game.
I got to talk to and interact with people I probably wouldnt have really talked to and was nice to see the community all getting together for a event such as this. At the end my team had the best score and I won a golden chocolate bar, Geoff says its beginners luck and tried stealing it from me. He was jealous which makes the chocolate taste that much sweeter =)
I got to talk to and interact with people I probably wouldnt have really talked to and was nice to see the community all getting together for a event such as this. At the end my team had the best score and I won a golden chocolate bar, Geoff says its beginners luck and tried stealing it from me. He was jealous which makes the chocolate taste that much sweeter =)
November 13
This is one of those things I noticed a while back but never really got the chance to go ahead and do it. A study on fences/gates..... yes sounds horribly boring but I've noticed quite a lot of different styles of fences/gates in Piha and out in the more rural communitys. The sheer range of styles is staggering, from natural wood or stone fences to full high tech automated security barricades. The styles in Piha all seemed to either be of natural materials or a very unobtrusive color. I think the fences in Piha are all very stylized to the house and are almost utilitarian in nature. The fences are not quite as ornate or over the top decorated even considering the house or keeping in mind its the first thing people notice. On that note I realized that some of the fences were very unnoticable and blended in very well and could very well be missed if I wasnt actively looking for them.
I guess I will put this part in as a field study as it doesnt relate to my project but I found it interesting nonetheless
I guess I will put this part in as a field study as it doesnt relate to my project but I found it interesting nonetheless
November 12
Today was fishing day. I dont know how many fish were caught but there were a lot. Red Snapper in a little red boat. Kind of a wasted day but I really wanted to go fishing but I suppose that could be included with ecotourism as well as some people do travel around the world to exclusive spots to sport fish. In "Eco-tourism: A Practical Guide for Rural Communities" fishing and bird watching are included as being passive interaction with nature. I would probably argue fishing is a bit more active/passive interaction as it could potentially harm the fish (especially if your keeping some like we did) Fishing by my standards leaves a relatively small footprint if your doing it for the sport of it. Of course not in a large charter boat type deal as those boats use a bit more fuel then a 25 hp engine on a rubber dingey.
November 11
Today I wanted to do a little mini study. I talked to the Argentinian a little yesterday and he mentioned some of the houses on top of the ridge lines and how they must have had somebody on the council in order to get approval to build the houses there. I decided to check this out and how these houses affect the views and perhaps ruin the small community feel of Piha.
Most of the houses that breach the skyline are very Mc-mansion type million dollar houses. One of them is rumored to be a hotel and will be rented out to people in order to soak up some of the building cost. The other one that really stood out has an enormous driveway in order to get up to it and the mountain top is nearly cut clean and has grass. It is beyond obvious and stands out quite a bit compared to the surrounding vegetation loaded hills. I think both these two houses stick out for a few large reasons. One being the sharp angles in comparison to the irregular and more organic shape of the surrounding vegetation. Two the colors seem to be bright and are rather intrusive, I'm curious if a more natural earth tone type color would conceal the houses better. and Three the clear cutting of vegetation for views out of the house. It makes sense for someone to build a house on the top of a mountain so they could have an outward view rather then surround the windows by trees but the houses go above the treeline which makes them stand out even more.
Most of the houses that breach the skyline are very Mc-mansion type million dollar houses. One of them is rumored to be a hotel and will be rented out to people in order to soak up some of the building cost. The other one that really stood out has an enormous driveway in order to get up to it and the mountain top is nearly cut clean and has grass. It is beyond obvious and stands out quite a bit compared to the surrounding vegetation loaded hills. I think both these two houses stick out for a few large reasons. One being the sharp angles in comparison to the irregular and more organic shape of the surrounding vegetation. Two the colors seem to be bright and are rather intrusive, I'm curious if a more natural earth tone type color would conceal the houses better. and Three the clear cutting of vegetation for views out of the house. It makes sense for someone to build a house on the top of a mountain so they could have an outward view rather then surround the windows by trees but the houses go above the treeline which makes them stand out even more.
November 10
Tried doing some interesting pedestrian vs vehicular traffic diagrams at the Piha Store and out towards the beach parking lots. Turns out they are not very complicated but are also very highly focused towards the vehicular side of the spectrum. Also at the Blairs parking lot there is a 1 way road that just seems unneccasarily dangerous to have. Did a little study on that to see if there could be an alternate solution to this obvious hazard. Also due to the construction in the same parking lot it has been a particular problem area and gets a little hairy during peak tourist hours on weekends.
Also checked out how the plants were doing on the dunes and they seem to be doing alright, i didnt notice any wilting or die out which usually happens fairly quickly after planting if they are going to die off. And i would assume that being on a hot dry beach with fast draining soil water and heat could be a major factor to weither the plants survive or not
Also checked out how the plants were doing on the dunes and they seem to be doing alright, i didnt notice any wilting or die out which usually happens fairly quickly after planting if they are going to die off. And i would assume that being on a hot dry beach with fast draining soil water and heat could be a major factor to weither the plants survive or not
November 8
Big Beach day, lots of visitors, took pictures of dune posts area... conclusions of my own... surfed at 7:30pm... possibly best day of surfing I will ever have in my life!
November 7
Ratepayer meeting...
This one really opened my eyes to the community aspect of Piha. For my project the Conservation and Environment part is fairly easy, the Financial and Infrastructure part was a bit more difficult but is near completion.... the Community however.... WOW. Talk about a wrench in the gears of progress. I got to attend a Residents & Ratepayers meeting to be the quiet observer with no agenda or any long term resources to look after in Piha. I got to be the unique "outsider" who could be as close to non-bias then anyone in the room comparatively
Right off the bat at the meeting the floor is open and Duncan Clark stands up and produces a speech. Recently in Piha (the night before) "someone" went out and pulled up all of the new posts along mid beach for fencing. Everyone at this meeting knows Duncan was the one who did it and he is quite proud that he did. He had some helpers as well, stacked all the posts neatly out of peoples way and also got 60 some signatures. The problem here is COMMUNICATION... as I continue this is the cause of a lot of problems in Piha. Auckland Regional Council installed these posts but failed to tell the R&R or the community whos view is/was blocked with "ugly" fences. Renee from ARC stated they did tell everyone as it is a part of their 5 year ongoing project. R&R is upset because they had to pay for the posts and Duncan pulled them up. Duncan and the community is upset because R&R and ARC didnt tell them about the posts going in. ARC is on the outside kind of saying, what happened happened lets move on and find a compromise and solution. Then a fourth contender comes in, Coast Care, the ones responsible for replanting the dunes and making sure people use the desginated trails to limit damage to the dunes. Makes sense and is great. Big fuss over how people will find the trails and needs to plant spinifex tomorrow.... Coast Cares also argued the plants need to go in because people like to walk on them when the sand is hot.... wait... so you want fences so people know where to step and not to step, you want plants so the dunes arnt damaged, but you also want plants so people can walk on them and not burn their feet. So planted dunes minus fences is actually the best option. Of course people need some kind of direction hence the fences, but if people are going to walk off the track anyways to avoid burnt feet what is the point of trails and dunes and plants. Its like trying to plant on an asphalt path, lots of people will use it, some will keep to the path, others will hop into the grass or cut corners.
Now I've been down there before and midbeach dunes are very heavily vegetated compared to south piha. The trails are wide and a lot of damage is being done in THOSE areas, why plant and fence an area that is perfectly fine. Comparing photos of South Piha and the midbeach its not that bad and really doesnt require fences, sure it could use some more plants but why bother when other places need them so much more. Back to the real issue at hand, why have fences? Its not going to deter someone if their feet are burning at all. If my hand was on fire and their was an aquarium next to me chances are I would not care if I poked or damage one of the plants or fish. Second point if there needs to be some kind of way to indicate to people where to walk the best way to achieve it is a sign or a visual reference. Instead of having the 60+ posts one every meter you could place one at the base of the dune, one at the top of the dune, and another at the other side of the dune. As long as the posts are visable from one of the other posts people will find their way to it. And in this case heavily plant the areas that are not off limits.
If I have to choose a side here it would be Duncan, it is not his fault that R&R, Coastcare, or ARC failed to tell him and the community. I think he is looking out for the best interests of the people of Piha. Very ironically Guy Fawkes did a similar thing; Duncan saw organizations and government was overreaching its grasp and basically forgot who all of them are working for. The community is what matters not the dunes, not the rates, not the posts or fences. If the community is forced into getting something they dont want they are going to bite back.
So Renee from ARC says ok we will pull out the temporary posts figure something else out that is unobtrusive, visually fits in the character of Piha, and to minimize the number of posts/fences.... *sigh* solution: less posts, plant the edges of the paths, mark begining and end of trails. !!! wish I was allowed to speak at this meeting, could have saved so much time!!!
Next on the list: National Surf Competition in January. That is awesome, should bring in a lot of visitors as well as income for Piha, as well as a lot of impact to environment. Funny enough nobody mentioned dune damage during this or last years event of the Thundercats. BUT they didnt so apparently a non-issue with big crowds. However one of the big problems during these events is the rubbish bins overflow. ARC proposes a new type of rubbish bin, much bigger and also includes a seperate recyling bin (wonder why they dont have those already) and also should be scheduled to pick up rubbish at a new time in order to take the heavy load of the events.
Another great example of lack of communication. ARC went through and replaced the old trail signs as well as old picnic tables. One of the tables was simply placed by the bridge by someone but the ARC contractors came through and replaced it with a brand new one. Nobody complains about the new piece of furniture even if ARC never consulted with anyone to install a new picnic table.
The last couple of things were about grease traps working in the Domain. Another case of improper communication of ARC spraying herbicides to kill grass by the LifeGuard station in South Piha.
Towards the end of the meeting there was mentions of the library vs post office conflict, someone stood up and said that Piha is so split over this why not at Barnett Hall. Seems like a good idea to me, best I've heard so far actually.
And the point of Piha community being split is such an understatement. Split usually refers to something divided in two. Piha could be described as being fragmented and/or pulverized. There are so many rival factions and groups and dare I say clicks here, and everyone has a different agenda or is trying to get what they want only. What I saw at the meeting was simply a gross display of self interests, too many people trying to get their name recognized, too many people trying to get what they want.
You have
R&R,
ARC,
CoastCare,
WCC,
Post office in the library people,
people against the post office in the library,
the Librarian group (dont know official name),
Pro-cafe,
Anti-cafe,
Various Waitakere groups,
Piha Heritage Society,
and God knows how many other groups their are that I have yet to come across
Final thought is: Cut the fat, merge groups, force communication to EVERYONE
This one really opened my eyes to the community aspect of Piha. For my project the Conservation and Environment part is fairly easy, the Financial and Infrastructure part was a bit more difficult but is near completion.... the Community however.... WOW. Talk about a wrench in the gears of progress. I got to attend a Residents & Ratepayers meeting to be the quiet observer with no agenda or any long term resources to look after in Piha. I got to be the unique "outsider" who could be as close to non-bias then anyone in the room comparatively
Right off the bat at the meeting the floor is open and Duncan Clark stands up and produces a speech. Recently in Piha (the night before) "someone" went out and pulled up all of the new posts along mid beach for fencing. Everyone at this meeting knows Duncan was the one who did it and he is quite proud that he did. He had some helpers as well, stacked all the posts neatly out of peoples way and also got 60 some signatures. The problem here is COMMUNICATION... as I continue this is the cause of a lot of problems in Piha. Auckland Regional Council installed these posts but failed to tell the R&R or the community whos view is/was blocked with "ugly" fences. Renee from ARC stated they did tell everyone as it is a part of their 5 year ongoing project. R&R is upset because they had to pay for the posts and Duncan pulled them up. Duncan and the community is upset because R&R and ARC didnt tell them about the posts going in. ARC is on the outside kind of saying, what happened happened lets move on and find a compromise and solution. Then a fourth contender comes in, Coast Care, the ones responsible for replanting the dunes and making sure people use the desginated trails to limit damage to the dunes. Makes sense and is great. Big fuss over how people will find the trails and needs to plant spinifex tomorrow.... Coast Cares also argued the plants need to go in because people like to walk on them when the sand is hot.... wait... so you want fences so people know where to step and not to step, you want plants so the dunes arnt damaged, but you also want plants so people can walk on them and not burn their feet. So planted dunes minus fences is actually the best option. Of course people need some kind of direction hence the fences, but if people are going to walk off the track anyways to avoid burnt feet what is the point of trails and dunes and plants. Its like trying to plant on an asphalt path, lots of people will use it, some will keep to the path, others will hop into the grass or cut corners.
Now I've been down there before and midbeach dunes are very heavily vegetated compared to south piha. The trails are wide and a lot of damage is being done in THOSE areas, why plant and fence an area that is perfectly fine. Comparing photos of South Piha and the midbeach its not that bad and really doesnt require fences, sure it could use some more plants but why bother when other places need them so much more. Back to the real issue at hand, why have fences? Its not going to deter someone if their feet are burning at all. If my hand was on fire and their was an aquarium next to me chances are I would not care if I poked or damage one of the plants or fish. Second point if there needs to be some kind of way to indicate to people where to walk the best way to achieve it is a sign or a visual reference. Instead of having the 60+ posts one every meter you could place one at the base of the dune, one at the top of the dune, and another at the other side of the dune. As long as the posts are visable from one of the other posts people will find their way to it. And in this case heavily plant the areas that are not off limits.
If I have to choose a side here it would be Duncan, it is not his fault that R&R, Coastcare, or ARC failed to tell him and the community. I think he is looking out for the best interests of the people of Piha. Very ironically Guy Fawkes did a similar thing; Duncan saw organizations and government was overreaching its grasp and basically forgot who all of them are working for. The community is what matters not the dunes, not the rates, not the posts or fences. If the community is forced into getting something they dont want they are going to bite back.
So Renee from ARC says ok we will pull out the temporary posts figure something else out that is unobtrusive, visually fits in the character of Piha, and to minimize the number of posts/fences.... *sigh* solution: less posts, plant the edges of the paths, mark begining and end of trails. !!! wish I was allowed to speak at this meeting, could have saved so much time!!!
Next on the list: National Surf Competition in January. That is awesome, should bring in a lot of visitors as well as income for Piha, as well as a lot of impact to environment. Funny enough nobody mentioned dune damage during this or last years event of the Thundercats. BUT they didnt so apparently a non-issue with big crowds. However one of the big problems during these events is the rubbish bins overflow. ARC proposes a new type of rubbish bin, much bigger and also includes a seperate recyling bin (wonder why they dont have those already) and also should be scheduled to pick up rubbish at a new time in order to take the heavy load of the events.
Another great example of lack of communication. ARC went through and replaced the old trail signs as well as old picnic tables. One of the tables was simply placed by the bridge by someone but the ARC contractors came through and replaced it with a brand new one. Nobody complains about the new piece of furniture even if ARC never consulted with anyone to install a new picnic table.
The last couple of things were about grease traps working in the Domain. Another case of improper communication of ARC spraying herbicides to kill grass by the LifeGuard station in South Piha.
Towards the end of the meeting there was mentions of the library vs post office conflict, someone stood up and said that Piha is so split over this why not at Barnett Hall. Seems like a good idea to me, best I've heard so far actually.
And the point of Piha community being split is such an understatement. Split usually refers to something divided in two. Piha could be described as being fragmented and/or pulverized. There are so many rival factions and groups and dare I say clicks here, and everyone has a different agenda or is trying to get what they want only. What I saw at the meeting was simply a gross display of self interests, too many people trying to get their name recognized, too many people trying to get what they want.
You have
R&R,
ARC,
CoastCare,
WCC,
Post office in the library people,
people against the post office in the library,
the Librarian group (dont know official name),
Pro-cafe,
Anti-cafe,
Various Waitakere groups,
Piha Heritage Society,
and God knows how many other groups their are that I have yet to come across
Final thought is: Cut the fat, merge groups, force communication to EVERYONE
November 6
Massive headache today... incapacitated, possibly due to the heavy inhalation of smoke from my hoodie
November 5
Remember remember the 5th of November. Today is Guy Fawkes Day. The name sounded familiar until I heard the story. Guy upset about the government decides it would be a good idea to blow up the Parliment Building. Celebrated as a symbol of power of the people over the government. If one needs a movie reference "V for Vendetta"
For New Zealand I guess it is celebrated as their "Independence Day" over British rule... *cough even if the Queen of England is still considered top dog cough*
BUT just like the USA's 4th of July fireworks and explosives are obviously the best way to celebrate. In New Zealand fireworks are only sold for a few days legally throughout the year, so people tend to go a little nutty buying hundreds of dollars of explosives just because. Of course fireworks in New Zealand are the same as the US; projectile explosive comes out one end and everyone goes oooo and ahhh. HOWEVER!!!! Apparently in New Zealand its okay for people to hold the fireworks as they blow up. Now I've never LIT a firework nonetheless hold one as it goes off. I have a hard enough time trying to use a lighter as my hands were built for playing video games rather then starting fires. But instead tonight they were holding onto "Auckland Blasts", "Solar Flares", and the "grunty" firework aptly named "Gollum's Revenge" We all would light them and take turns shooting at the man made of straw and twigs and someones old clothes with a name tag on "Guy Fawkes"
Also as an added bonus to something I would never do at home made "Maori Bottle Bombs" Basically you cannot buy anything like a M80 or anything louder or explosive then a fire cracker. But with some Kiwi ingenuity and creativity you can make 3 fire crackers and a coke bottle become something similar to a C4 armor piercing landmine. My ears are still ringing and I smell like I just got off the set of the movie Backdraft
For New Zealand I guess it is celebrated as their "Independence Day" over British rule... *cough even if the Queen of England is still considered top dog cough*
BUT just like the USA's 4th of July fireworks and explosives are obviously the best way to celebrate. In New Zealand fireworks are only sold for a few days legally throughout the year, so people tend to go a little nutty buying hundreds of dollars of explosives just because. Of course fireworks in New Zealand are the same as the US; projectile explosive comes out one end and everyone goes oooo and ahhh. HOWEVER!!!! Apparently in New Zealand its okay for people to hold the fireworks as they blow up. Now I've never LIT a firework nonetheless hold one as it goes off. I have a hard enough time trying to use a lighter as my hands were built for playing video games rather then starting fires. But instead tonight they were holding onto "Auckland Blasts", "Solar Flares", and the "grunty" firework aptly named "Gollum's Revenge" We all would light them and take turns shooting at the man made of straw and twigs and someones old clothes with a name tag on "Guy Fawkes"
Also as an added bonus to something I would never do at home made "Maori Bottle Bombs" Basically you cannot buy anything like a M80 or anything louder or explosive then a fire cracker. But with some Kiwi ingenuity and creativity you can make 3 fire crackers and a coke bottle become something similar to a C4 armor piercing landmine. My ears are still ringing and I smell like I just got off the set of the movie Backdraft
November 3
Flood Plane Mapping shows interesting facts about Piha. Most of Piha is not so suprisingly in a flood plain. The surprising part was that everyone knows it here and there are warning sirens for it. Back home I'd be shocked if people knew what a flood plain was!
November 2
Tidal Pool and Beach Walking
Today was an interesting day, it was low tide during the middle of the day so I decided to check out tidal pools as Scott mentioned they could be quite neat. In fact I did find a lot of tidal pools but not much in them, I walked all the way out to the front of Lion Rock sat there for a while and looked at the ocean.... and realized the rocks were all moving. The "not much in them" thing I thought earlier was just my way of saying I didnt look hard enough the first time. Not only was there stuff in them there was a HUGE variety of creatures I've never seen before. The most exciting was seeing a pool filled with starfish of all shapes and sizes, as small as a fingernail and one the size of a basketball. There were clams and snails and mollusks and all sort of bivalves. Snails and crabs and little brine shrimp. Anemones of all different colors grabbing bits of food in the calm pools. Squishy things rock like things. Birds that looked like boobies or gannets but werent, ducks and seagulls and albatross. A dead seal which I thought at first was a suitcase until I got close enought to smell it.
Just so much diversity in such a small area and such a fragile ecosystem as well. Most ecosystems need a major event to distrupt every creature within it. Tidal pools however could be desimated by someone stepping in them, or a rock rolling into it. Even what makes the tidal pools possible a wave could crash down on it and wipe out everything inside. BUT they exist. Almost just to say yes its difficult, nearly impossible for this to be sustainable in any way but we're here and what happens happens. Living in the here and now
Today was an interesting day, it was low tide during the middle of the day so I decided to check out tidal pools as Scott mentioned they could be quite neat. In fact I did find a lot of tidal pools but not much in them, I walked all the way out to the front of Lion Rock sat there for a while and looked at the ocean.... and realized the rocks were all moving. The "not much in them" thing I thought earlier was just my way of saying I didnt look hard enough the first time. Not only was there stuff in them there was a HUGE variety of creatures I've never seen before. The most exciting was seeing a pool filled with starfish of all shapes and sizes, as small as a fingernail and one the size of a basketball. There were clams and snails and mollusks and all sort of bivalves. Snails and crabs and little brine shrimp. Anemones of all different colors grabbing bits of food in the calm pools. Squishy things rock like things. Birds that looked like boobies or gannets but werent, ducks and seagulls and albatross. A dead seal which I thought at first was a suitcase until I got close enought to smell it.
Just so much diversity in such a small area and such a fragile ecosystem as well. Most ecosystems need a major event to distrupt every creature within it. Tidal pools however could be desimated by someone stepping in them, or a rock rolling into it. Even what makes the tidal pools possible a wave could crash down on it and wipe out everything inside. BUT they exist. Almost just to say yes its difficult, nearly impossible for this to be sustainable in any way but we're here and what happens happens. Living in the here and now
November 1
Maori Place Names
Today was a really unique lecture at Barnett Hall. It was about the Maori place names and the stories behind them sponsored by the Protect Piha Heritage Society. It was told by Graeme Murdoch who spent a lot of his younger years with Maori people and he asked what the places meant and figured out what possibly their English names derived from. Many of the place names I've never heard of but I'm told they are all around Piha and Waitakere. These places all have a story to them which is where they get their name from the Maori they used to reside in Piha (Te Kawerau a Maki) The only land they own now is Taitomo Rock. It is interesting to see that the place names are all still there but nobody really understood what they meant to the Maori. Many of the places now have an English spin on them for the people arriving not understanding the Maori language came up with something that sounded similar to it.
Kerekere Beach just south of Piha there is a giant rock called "The Watchmen" the Maori know it as "The Parent" it got that name from a story of a parent (large rock) and 2 children (smaller rocks) when NZ was being created rocks could walk around. 1 child stayed with the parent and the other bad child went out into the ocean, then Sunlight was created and all the rocks froze in place. The bad child always to be away from its parent in the water. This land feature was not only an explaination of why the rocks were the way they are but also as a parabol type story for parents to tell their children to behave and listen to them to stay out of trouble.
Kawhiti (Kah-foot-ee) is also an important person for Piha, he apparently killed a child, this obviously made the Maori upset. They chained him down by the present day "Gap" close to where Kawhiti lived. He was said to become some kind of sea monster. The big flat area that exists now is where his tail thrashed about and showing his destructive nature. The Gap to the Maori is known as "The writhing of Kawhiti"
Te Maki is another character in Piha he is like a tribe leader figure head type character for the Kawerau people. There is a rock on North Piha Beach that sits and watches over the ocean, it is called Maki-maki which to Europeans sounded like monkey and it is known as Monkey Rock now.
Whites beach = 2 tongues
Waitetura = North Piha Beach
Kanui = Sea spray at North Piha
Onewheru = Red rocks at North Piha (Paint made from fish oil and rock)
Taitomo = Sea Cave of Kawhiti (Camel Rock)
Pua-ohtu = Blowhole Bay "Foam of the Sea"
Karakaramea = Glenesk Camp
Pakurikuri = Pacutty Rock
Maungaroa = Central Pa (lookout)
And last but certainly not least "Te Piha" Lion rock is THE focal point in Piha and is fitting that the village of Piha would be named after it... or so I thought. Lion Rock is simply a Pa. A lookout or last stand type fort for the Kawerau in case of invading tribes. "te piha" is Maori is actually the effect made by a canoe in the water. The water comes at it and the wave breaks and bends around the canoe. Very similarly to how it breaks and bends around Lion Rock. It is really a neat way to look at landscape as the Maori have stories about almost everything and why it is how it is. The naming comes from a history and a culture far different from the arriving colonials and is interesting to see that it kept its name mostly but is covered by the dust of time. Few people know about where the names came from and very little has been written down, the history has been mostly been handed down through stories.
Today was a really unique lecture at Barnett Hall. It was about the Maori place names and the stories behind them sponsored by the Protect Piha Heritage Society. It was told by Graeme Murdoch who spent a lot of his younger years with Maori people and he asked what the places meant and figured out what possibly their English names derived from. Many of the place names I've never heard of but I'm told they are all around Piha and Waitakere. These places all have a story to them which is where they get their name from the Maori they used to reside in Piha (Te Kawerau a Maki) The only land they own now is Taitomo Rock. It is interesting to see that the place names are all still there but nobody really understood what they meant to the Maori. Many of the places now have an English spin on them for the people arriving not understanding the Maori language came up with something that sounded similar to it.
Kerekere Beach just south of Piha there is a giant rock called "The Watchmen" the Maori know it as "The Parent" it got that name from a story of a parent (large rock) and 2 children (smaller rocks) when NZ was being created rocks could walk around. 1 child stayed with the parent and the other bad child went out into the ocean, then Sunlight was created and all the rocks froze in place. The bad child always to be away from its parent in the water. This land feature was not only an explaination of why the rocks were the way they are but also as a parabol type story for parents to tell their children to behave and listen to them to stay out of trouble.
Kawhiti (Kah-foot-ee) is also an important person for Piha, he apparently killed a child, this obviously made the Maori upset. They chained him down by the present day "Gap" close to where Kawhiti lived. He was said to become some kind of sea monster. The big flat area that exists now is where his tail thrashed about and showing his destructive nature. The Gap to the Maori is known as "The writhing of Kawhiti"
Te Maki is another character in Piha he is like a tribe leader figure head type character for the Kawerau people. There is a rock on North Piha Beach that sits and watches over the ocean, it is called Maki-maki which to Europeans sounded like monkey and it is known as Monkey Rock now.
Whites beach = 2 tongues
Waitetura = North Piha Beach
Kanui = Sea spray at North Piha
Onewheru = Red rocks at North Piha (Paint made from fish oil and rock)
Taitomo = Sea Cave of Kawhiti (Camel Rock)
Pua-ohtu = Blowhole Bay "Foam of the Sea"
Karakaramea = Glenesk Camp
Pakurikuri = Pacutty Rock
Maungaroa = Central Pa (lookout)
And last but certainly not least "Te Piha" Lion rock is THE focal point in Piha and is fitting that the village of Piha would be named after it... or so I thought. Lion Rock is simply a Pa. A lookout or last stand type fort for the Kawerau in case of invading tribes. "te piha" is Maori is actually the effect made by a canoe in the water. The water comes at it and the wave breaks and bends around the canoe. Very similarly to how it breaks and bends around Lion Rock. It is really a neat way to look at landscape as the Maori have stories about almost everything and why it is how it is. The naming comes from a history and a culture far different from the arriving colonials and is interesting to see that it kept its name mostly but is covered by the dust of time. Few people know about where the names came from and very little has been written down, the history has been mostly been handed down through stories.
October 31
Today is Halloween in New Zealand
Halloween here was slightly disappointing, its a holiday that isnt really celebrated outside the US. It is my favorite holiday so it was difficult to not make a stink about it. I went down to the library for the little Halloween event they had going on there for the children... plus me. It was all decorated and there were all the kids from Piha dressed up. There was even a magician as entertainment! It was all really quite small but cute and really nice for the community to get their children together to play dress up kinda.
After that went surfing on my first longboard... I dont like longboards now. Then watched Nightmare Before Christmas as I always do and went to bed
Halloween here was slightly disappointing, its a holiday that isnt really celebrated outside the US. It is my favorite holiday so it was difficult to not make a stink about it. I went down to the library for the little Halloween event they had going on there for the children... plus me. It was all decorated and there were all the kids from Piha dressed up. There was even a magician as entertainment! It was all really quite small but cute and really nice for the community to get their children together to play dress up kinda.
After that went surfing on my first longboard... I dont like longboards now. Then watched Nightmare Before Christmas as I always do and went to bed
October 30
Today I went around Piha and tried to get "Visual Hotspots" I think its important to note the places where people stop and take notice to scenery. Something I tried to note at each place was signage or something that is supposed to speak back or tell the viewer something other then just a view. Still trying to figure out how to add stupid pictures to this
Wow an image actually got thru!!!! Only took 4 hours! still good news, maybe upload some pictures overnight
October 29
Today the weather was full of off... off-full.... awful. ugh. Very rainy, very cloud, very miserable. Fortunatly I got a package from home which lifted my spirits quite a bit. I received a lot of Mexican food and salsa and spicy stuff, which was very much needed for the severe shortage of spices in New Zealand. I also got the movie "Nightmare Before Christmas" I was exceptionally worried that this year would be the first time I would go without seeing the movie before Halloween since its release in 1993. Luckily I also got to goto the grocery store today so I got to plan some nice meals ahead. Worth noting that instead of the usual just under $100 at the store I spent a little under $200... ouch
October 28
Today I decided to really get into the surf culture. At this point I have gone surfing a few times, talked to some surfers, and kind of just messed around in the waves a bit. Also seeing as the wetsuit that I have been borrowing says "Life Guard" on it I figured it would be in my best interest as well as everyone elses to get my own that specifically does not state that I will save your life if you are drowning. I head up to the most prominent surf shop in Piha.... the Piha Surf Shop owned by Mike Jolly. I explained to Mike why I was there and what I was doing. He seemed interested but pretty busy as well. For the winters here he carves and creates custom surfboards (around $950 to $1100 nz) He says he is always busy with something weither its shaping surfboards or being in commercials, he is in a Mercury energy commercial on tv as a NZ small business owner showing kiwis sense of ingenuity and do it yourself. He said he keeps himself busy during the winters with board making but when summer rolls around he is frantically busy. With making boards he also fixes damaged boards (dings) and with the sheer amount of surfers during the summer he is consistently busy. Along with his surfing business upstairs is a small art gallery and a camping ground. All of these contribute to enable Mike to do what he wants and loves which is all about surfing.
So I ended up buying a wetsuit from him after a successful little meeting. And of course I made sure the wetsuit (Bodyline) is made in New Zealand. <(^.^)>
So I ended up buying a wetsuit from him after a successful little meeting. And of course I made sure the wetsuit (Bodyline) is made in New Zealand. <(^.^)>
October 27
Today is Labour Day! There is a big market in Piha today at the North area. I decided to walk up that way. Lots and lots of traffic, more so then I've seen even on weekends with great weather attracting crowds to the beach. I couldnt tell if the majority of people were visitors or locals but there were certainly enough of each of them. Before I even got to the actual market I realized that there was a bit of a lack of parking. People were parked on the sides of the road on one side and there were traffic cones blocking them from parking on the other. I assume the parking cone side was designated pedestrian walking area but the shoulder of the road was too small and people were walking in the street instead. The market itself was tents set up in a little semi circle, different vendors with things ranging from junk to homemade jewelery. It was all very flea market type stuff which I was a bit turned off by. I was hoping for more of a local arts and crafts thing rather then people hawking 30 year old readers digests and rusty spoons. There were some homemade jewelery items but I'm pretty sure I saw the same guy in Auckland City selling the same bone pendants for $5 a necklace. Regardless it was really neat to see the community all together like this, very active and bustling day.
October 26
Went to the RSA for dinner and some drinks tonight, I need to make a second visit here with a camera as the walls are just covered with really neat pictures. Life guards, surfers, awards, surfboats, rescues all sorts of really cool things. The inside of the RSA was very nicely done, it felt very comfortable even being the youngest and most inappropriatly dressed individual there. The ceiling has a giant surf boat hanging upside down above all the dinner tables. It felt very much like a less commercialized Ruby Tuesdays how the walls and everything was just covered with neat stuff to look at. So there were 2 English girls, 2 Kiwi guys, 1 Czech, and me. Geoff says ok were going to head out of here so hurry up and drink the rest of your beer and we'll go.... and the typical American college male, one gulp and gone.... Geoff nearly swallowed his tongue, the girls were wide eyed and I felt the cold look of people looking at me most likely thinking.... where did the beer go?!? Hes a witch!! I then break the silence with "I'm an American in college what did you expect?"
Note to self, dont do that again.
We left the RSA to goto a party down the street, people were again dancing just to dance and having fun. I didnt want to stay so I chose to walk back home. Tonight I realized Piha does not have very many street lights and the speed bumps were particularly troublesome when you cant see them.
So I got back to the house made some food and as I'm washing the dishes I glance out the window to see a monsterous bug crawling across the window frame. The bug was about 5-6" in length and about as thick as a chair leg. Ughh a WETA! I saw these things at the zoo and museum but OMG who let them outside! These things are gross. Geoff claims they normally dont climb up that high, normally a ground dwelling insect. I remove my sheets and double check for any movement and nervously fall asleep.
Note to self, dont do that again.
We left the RSA to goto a party down the street, people were again dancing just to dance and having fun. I didnt want to stay so I chose to walk back home. Tonight I realized Piha does not have very many street lights and the speed bumps were particularly troublesome when you cant see them.
So I got back to the house made some food and as I'm washing the dishes I glance out the window to see a monsterous bug crawling across the window frame. The bug was about 5-6" in length and about as thick as a chair leg. Ughh a WETA! I saw these things at the zoo and museum but OMG who let them outside! These things are gross. Geoff claims they normally dont climb up that high, normally a ground dwelling insect. I remove my sheets and double check for any movement and nervously fall asleep.
October 25
Its Saturday the beginings of a holiday weekend, so I head down to the beach asap. There are an unbelievable amount of people already! Beach towels, chairs, sand castles, umbrellas, beach balls, boogie boards, flip flops, coolers, and people lots and lots of people! I try to go ahead and write down what the majority of people do on the beaches, but decide maybe counting is not the best way of doing this part of my project, visually I try and determine numbers and estimate what is going on
It seems that age groups plays a bit of a role in what people do on the beach as well as genders, while not crucially important the gender aspect was interesting to me.
young children (m/f)
The young kids tended to play in the sand close by their parents, usually had toys of some kind or something to facilitate in playing with the sand. Good place to note that children were either bundled up with little brimmed hats or completely nude. I heard from Geoff that children are often in the life guard station for burnt feet and minor cuts from digging in the sand.
teens to young adults(m)
The male group of say 15-25 seem to have the worst case of what I like to call "ants in the pants syndrome" these guys cant stay still. Some will lay down for a bit but then get up and do something else, a LOT of them come in groups and play ball or rough house a bit. Its pretty funny to watch someone who was brought up on rugby their entire life try throwing an American football around! haha hilarious results ensue! Some of them go out into the water messing around in the waves. None of them really bring furniture or towels, just bathing suit and a ball to throw around.
teens to young adults(f)
The female portion of this age group is a stark contrast with the opposite gender. The girls get to the beach bringing towels and hats and umbrellas and chairs and books and radios and drinks and nearly anything beach related. They find a spot set up their fortress and from afar could be pronounced legally dead if they didnt roll over or swat the occasional fly every once in a while. This group was very inactive compared to the boys.
Adults (m/f)
This group was the most relaxed group I think. They mostly kept to themselves sat quietly reading books or talking with someone. This group also seemed to move around a lot more as well, possibly because of rough housing boys or just wanting to stretch their legs. This group could be seen walking up and down the beaches, buying food, having picnics. A lot brought cameras and took pictures of the ocean and scenery.
People with children (m/f)
This group was a bit on the outside of the rest of the group, they were mostly adults which one would think would conform to the rest of the adults aka relaxing. But on the contrary this group was more active then even young boys. This group was seen to me as the entertainers or jesters really. They would be building castles, flying kites, feeding kids food, chasing blown away beach stuff, chasing their children, FINDING their children, shooing away seagulls, carrying their kids, trying to get their kids to stop crying from the wind that kicked up sand, putting their children on boogie boards and pulling them through the small waves, playing with their children, cleaning their children, putting suntan lotion on reluctant children, and my favorite carrying their children on their shoulders only to get icecream on their forehead!
There are always exceptions to the groups but people on the beach fall into two categories in the very much landscape architect groups of Active and Passive recreation
Active Recreation:
Ball throwing/sports
Running/jogging/exercising
Surfing/boogieboarding
Playing
Swimming
Horseback riding
Fishing
Climbing dunes or rocks
Passive Recreation:
Lounging/tanning
Reading/socializing
Walking
Picnicing/eating
Nature, scenery, or people watching
Tidal pool viewing
It seems that age groups plays a bit of a role in what people do on the beach as well as genders, while not crucially important the gender aspect was interesting to me.
young children (m/f)
The young kids tended to play in the sand close by their parents, usually had toys of some kind or something to facilitate in playing with the sand. Good place to note that children were either bundled up with little brimmed hats or completely nude. I heard from Geoff that children are often in the life guard station for burnt feet and minor cuts from digging in the sand.
teens to young adults(m)
The male group of say 15-25 seem to have the worst case of what I like to call "ants in the pants syndrome" these guys cant stay still. Some will lay down for a bit but then get up and do something else, a LOT of them come in groups and play ball or rough house a bit. Its pretty funny to watch someone who was brought up on rugby their entire life try throwing an American football around! haha hilarious results ensue! Some of them go out into the water messing around in the waves. None of them really bring furniture or towels, just bathing suit and a ball to throw around.
teens to young adults(f)
The female portion of this age group is a stark contrast with the opposite gender. The girls get to the beach bringing towels and hats and umbrellas and chairs and books and radios and drinks and nearly anything beach related. They find a spot set up their fortress and from afar could be pronounced legally dead if they didnt roll over or swat the occasional fly every once in a while. This group was very inactive compared to the boys.
Adults (m/f)
This group was the most relaxed group I think. They mostly kept to themselves sat quietly reading books or talking with someone. This group also seemed to move around a lot more as well, possibly because of rough housing boys or just wanting to stretch their legs. This group could be seen walking up and down the beaches, buying food, having picnics. A lot brought cameras and took pictures of the ocean and scenery.
People with children (m/f)
This group was a bit on the outside of the rest of the group, they were mostly adults which one would think would conform to the rest of the adults aka relaxing. But on the contrary this group was more active then even young boys. This group was seen to me as the entertainers or jesters really. They would be building castles, flying kites, feeding kids food, chasing blown away beach stuff, chasing their children, FINDING their children, shooing away seagulls, carrying their kids, trying to get their kids to stop crying from the wind that kicked up sand, putting their children on boogie boards and pulling them through the small waves, playing with their children, cleaning their children, putting suntan lotion on reluctant children, and my favorite carrying their children on their shoulders only to get icecream on their forehead!
There are always exceptions to the groups but people on the beach fall into two categories in the very much landscape architect groups of Active and Passive recreation
Active Recreation:
Ball throwing/sports
Running/jogging/exercising
Surfing/boogieboarding
Playing
Swimming
Horseback riding
Fishing
Climbing dunes or rocks
Passive Recreation:
Lounging/tanning
Reading/socializing
Walking
Picnicing/eating
Nature, scenery, or people watching
Tidal pool viewing
October 24
Today was the life guard trials. Really really neat. Its like a test to see what the lifeguards are made out of. A gauntlet if you will. They did sprints, they had to swim, they had to show their first aid skills, and they had to drive the rubber boats out and do rescues! I enjoyed watching the rescue boats the most as they would hurdle themselves over huge waves... wahhhhh...foomp....thud. wahhhhh. It was also neat because the age groups. There were little tiny children "Nippers" wanting to be volunteer lifeguards. It was just amazing that people and children wanted to be apart of the life guards at all ages, not for the money of it but to be apart of the community. See, the lifeguards have their lookout station on the top of the dune, during the weekends there is about 25 guards on watch. They all lounge around and talk and joke and hangout. Its like a social group that also saves lives at the beach. I mean if people are going to be at the beach anyways might as well put some use to it. I just find it amazing that so many people are willing to be a part of it, and they start them out so young too.
October 23
(morning) Today it is rain... tomorrow rain... 5 day forecast... rain. Im planning on getting most of my project done during this week.
Midday the weather isnt too bad sunny but the wind makes it cold if you stay in one spot for too long. One very strange thing I realized today was people weird fasination with dead animals on the beach. Loads of people went up to a dead seagull and checked it out, some even took pictures of it.... why? Weird. There is some "big" construction going on in the parking lot in front of the Life Guard building and Blairs. Looks like their are installing new stormwater pipes, as the previous pipe was discharging onto the beach. Very similarly to Syracuse construction is simultaneous with good weather and public holidays. Will be interesting to see how the expected amount of people interact with a construction zone in between them and food. Also got to talk to an Argentinian (still dont know his name) who is a pipe layer in Argentina and New Zealand. Was interesting talking pipe sizes and construction techniques and how they differ from NY.
Midday the weather isnt too bad sunny but the wind makes it cold if you stay in one spot for too long. One very strange thing I realized today was people weird fasination with dead animals on the beach. Loads of people went up to a dead seagull and checked it out, some even took pictures of it.... why? Weird. There is some "big" construction going on in the parking lot in front of the Life Guard building and Blairs. Looks like their are installing new stormwater pipes, as the previous pipe was discharging onto the beach. Very similarly to Syracuse construction is simultaneous with good weather and public holidays. Will be interesting to see how the expected amount of people interact with a construction zone in between them and food. Also got to talk to an Argentinian (still dont know his name) who is a pipe layer in Argentina and New Zealand. Was interesting talking pipe sizes and construction techniques and how they differ from NY.
October 22
Today is my dads birthday back home so plan on making a cake... if nobody hears from me in a week, then something went horribly wrong and send help
The cake was a disaster. Turns out I am not Americas Next Top Chef and I am retiring that life long dream that was a complete fabrication of my mind. I stayed in for most of the day but I watched Piha Patrol (1st season of Piha Beach Rescue) to see a little bit of what Piha looks like during the summer months when it is super crowded. It was really quite a contrast of what I have seen so far, very isolated and deserted beaches is what I am familiar with, what I saw was unbelievably packed people sprawled out everywhere! On the show was really long canoe type boats that go out and battle the surf turn around and then come flying back in at top speed trying not to crash and also race the other boats. I asked Geoff what the boats were called. He replied, "Surf Boats".. durr makes sense I guess. This event was really quite comical I thought. Men in tiny speedos all greased up with paddles in a big canoe trying not to get killed by the boat flipping over. I mean I GUESS its pretty exciting for the guys in the boat, but I think it would be like Nascar... people are just there to watch the cars and in this case the boats to crash.
Either way Geoff and I went around and checked the rubbish bins to make sure they were emptied for the long weekend coming up. Piha is expected to get quite a lot of people over the labour day weekend if the weather holds out.
The cake was a disaster. Turns out I am not Americas Next Top Chef and I am retiring that life long dream that was a complete fabrication of my mind. I stayed in for most of the day but I watched Piha Patrol (1st season of Piha Beach Rescue) to see a little bit of what Piha looks like during the summer months when it is super crowded. It was really quite a contrast of what I have seen so far, very isolated and deserted beaches is what I am familiar with, what I saw was unbelievably packed people sprawled out everywhere! On the show was really long canoe type boats that go out and battle the surf turn around and then come flying back in at top speed trying not to crash and also race the other boats. I asked Geoff what the boats were called. He replied, "Surf Boats".. durr makes sense I guess. This event was really quite comical I thought. Men in tiny speedos all greased up with paddles in a big canoe trying not to get killed by the boat flipping over. I mean I GUESS its pretty exciting for the guys in the boat, but I think it would be like Nascar... people are just there to watch the cars and in this case the boats to crash.
Either way Geoff and I went around and checked the rubbish bins to make sure they were emptied for the long weekend coming up. Piha is expected to get quite a lot of people over the labour day weekend if the weather holds out.
October 21
Went into town today for groceries and then back to Piha via Titirangi... I really need to visit this place.
Went into town and got grocerys as well as laundry. Very very strange was the fact that the laundrymat guy gave us 3 beers.... this is at 11:00am.... I dont think I look like an alcoholic but whatever I guess free beer is still free. So we headed down the road to for Geoff to get copies for a newsletter. Thomas and I walked over to Gamestop. I simply needed to see what kind of video games were available here! I just had to! All I need to say is wow I'm glad I am not a gamer in NZ, all of the new releases were $110, even with the conversion rate that is a crazy amount of money to pay. I bought the game Portal for $15 (most amazing game ever btw, highly reccomend even to non-gamers) Anyways so we continued on back to Piha but took a different way home.
Today was my first visit to the town of Titirangi, it has a upper class feel to it for some reason, very similar to driving through the village section of Caz. Seemed very walkable and friendly as well but I have not really come across any parts of NZ that have felt otherwise really. I very briefly drove through the town on my way back to Piha with Geoff and Thomas. We made a quick stop at Geoffs moms house to drop off some ratepayer newsletters and pick up a trailer. Geoffs mom invited us into the house. I had a look around outside, was neat to see Japanese Maple, some hydrangeas, a magnolia tree, and stuff that looked like sage but i wasnt sure. The back yard had a nice little pool that overlooked into a harbor. WOW what a difference between here and Piha. Tititangi is on the east side of the Waitakere Ranges faces inland, it is protected from the Tasman and the shore was unbelivably calm, and very shallow, AND made out of what looked like crushed shells a stark contrast to Pihas black sand. Wish I didnt talk to Katy about the differences in sands cuz that would be a really neat thing to put into my notebook.
Regardless, I need to come back to the town and have a look around as well as visit the Arataki Visitor Centre which should hold a wealth of information. I also have a few contacts in this area that are apart of the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society that I need to talk to.
Went into town and got grocerys as well as laundry. Very very strange was the fact that the laundrymat guy gave us 3 beers.... this is at 11:00am.... I dont think I look like an alcoholic but whatever I guess free beer is still free. So we headed down the road to for Geoff to get copies for a newsletter. Thomas and I walked over to Gamestop. I simply needed to see what kind of video games were available here! I just had to! All I need to say is wow I'm glad I am not a gamer in NZ, all of the new releases were $110, even with the conversion rate that is a crazy amount of money to pay. I bought the game Portal for $15 (most amazing game ever btw, highly reccomend even to non-gamers) Anyways so we continued on back to Piha but took a different way home.
Today was my first visit to the town of Titirangi, it has a upper class feel to it for some reason, very similar to driving through the village section of Caz. Seemed very walkable and friendly as well but I have not really come across any parts of NZ that have felt otherwise really. I very briefly drove through the town on my way back to Piha with Geoff and Thomas. We made a quick stop at Geoffs moms house to drop off some ratepayer newsletters and pick up a trailer. Geoffs mom invited us into the house. I had a look around outside, was neat to see Japanese Maple, some hydrangeas, a magnolia tree, and stuff that looked like sage but i wasnt sure. The back yard had a nice little pool that overlooked into a harbor. WOW what a difference between here and Piha. Tititangi is on the east side of the Waitakere Ranges faces inland, it is protected from the Tasman and the shore was unbelivably calm, and very shallow, AND made out of what looked like crushed shells a stark contrast to Pihas black sand. Wish I didnt talk to Katy about the differences in sands cuz that would be a really neat thing to put into my notebook.
Regardless, I need to come back to the town and have a look around as well as visit the Arataki Visitor Centre which should hold a wealth of information. I also have a few contacts in this area that are apart of the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society that I need to talk to.
October 18
Today I did my "busy" beach day observations and testing again not sure how to post this
Well I decided to come back and write all of my tests in one post as it should make a little more sense being together rather then spread out. Basically did tests on the beach on a busy day and a not so busy day. I did the same test in two spots one closer to the parking lot and rubbish bin and the other out in the middle area of the beach away from rubbish bins.
Rubbish test 1 close to the parking lot and bin:
"I tested this on a quiet day during the week. The results were interesting 16/22 people picked up and placed the bottle in the rubbish bin. 16 of those 16 were local people. The 6 who did not pick it up 2 of them were local. I found this interesting that local people would backtrack to throw it out, I even had one man who was going to bring it with him as he walked on the beach and toss it out when he was returning home. I think this is a good indicator that the community is committed to keeping the beaches clean."
"I repeated my test on a busy day, same location. 61/158 people threw the bottle out, 42 of those 61 were locals. The majority of the people who did not were visitors to Piha. This to me is alarming as it seems visitors are not as concerned about litter as the locals; it could be this lack of concern that gives people from Piha a sense of responsibility to clean up what they can. It was also noted that the rubbish bin was filling up and people would start placing their garbage along side the bin or on top of it. This resulted in trash blowing around, seagulls spreading it about, and a generally disgusting aesthetic look."
Rubbish Test 2 Out on the Beach:
I again did the same test except quite a bit further away from the rubbish bins and out in the open in plain sight of everyone on the beach. I thought this test was relavent just so I could test to see if the results of the previous test was only due to being so close to the rubbish bins or possibly if the majority of locals threw it out because they knew were rubbish bins were located.
"On the quiet day 4/16 picked it up and walked to the bin. 2/16 kicked it towards the dune so "hightide would not take it away" 3/16 picked it up and continued walking down the beach stating they were going to throw it out when they arrived at a bin. Of the 9 who ackknowledged the bottle all of them were local. The 7 who dismissed it 5 visitors and 2 locals"
"The busy day test was extremely difficult. It was exceptionally busy today and was estimated about 700 people were on the beach at peak hours. Amazingly, I figured it would be a very busy day asking people if they were local or not and testing, BUT only 28 people actually responded to the bottle in any way. I think that this test however was flawed, due to the mass amounts of people I think that the bottle could be considered "owned" by the nearest person. I also had difficulty placing the bottle into position as people would almost immediatly say "you dropped your bottle" Regardless, the results were 27/28 were locals, 1 visitor. I decided to end my test when a little girl wanted to build a sand castle around it."
Test 3 Trail rubbish test
I have to admit this test seemed a bit odd simply because I had to hide in the bushes as I did not want people to think since I was closest to the bottle that it belonged to me.
Quiet day results:
4/9 took bottle
4/4 who took bottle were local
8/9 were local
1/9 were visitors
Busy day results:
26/39 took bottle
14/26 who took bottle were local
21/39 were local
18/39 were visitors
Rubbish test 1 close to the parking lot and bin:
"I tested this on a quiet day during the week. The results were interesting 16/22 people picked up and placed the bottle in the rubbish bin. 16 of those 16 were local people. The 6 who did not pick it up 2 of them were local. I found this interesting that local people would backtrack to throw it out, I even had one man who was going to bring it with him as he walked on the beach and toss it out when he was returning home. I think this is a good indicator that the community is committed to keeping the beaches clean."
"I repeated my test on a busy day, same location. 61/158 people threw the bottle out, 42 of those 61 were locals. The majority of the people who did not were visitors to Piha. This to me is alarming as it seems visitors are not as concerned about litter as the locals; it could be this lack of concern that gives people from Piha a sense of responsibility to clean up what they can. It was also noted that the rubbish bin was filling up and people would start placing their garbage along side the bin or on top of it. This resulted in trash blowing around, seagulls spreading it about, and a generally disgusting aesthetic look."
Rubbish Test 2 Out on the Beach:
I again did the same test except quite a bit further away from the rubbish bins and out in the open in plain sight of everyone on the beach. I thought this test was relavent just so I could test to see if the results of the previous test was only due to being so close to the rubbish bins or possibly if the majority of locals threw it out because they knew were rubbish bins were located.
"On the quiet day 4/16 picked it up and walked to the bin. 2/16 kicked it towards the dune so "hightide would not take it away" 3/16 picked it up and continued walking down the beach stating they were going to throw it out when they arrived at a bin. Of the 9 who ackknowledged the bottle all of them were local. The 7 who dismissed it 5 visitors and 2 locals"
"The busy day test was extremely difficult. It was exceptionally busy today and was estimated about 700 people were on the beach at peak hours. Amazingly, I figured it would be a very busy day asking people if they were local or not and testing, BUT only 28 people actually responded to the bottle in any way. I think that this test however was flawed, due to the mass amounts of people I think that the bottle could be considered "owned" by the nearest person. I also had difficulty placing the bottle into position as people would almost immediatly say "you dropped your bottle" Regardless, the results were 27/28 were locals, 1 visitor. I decided to end my test when a little girl wanted to build a sand castle around it."
Test 3 Trail rubbish test
I have to admit this test seemed a bit odd simply because I had to hide in the bushes as I did not want people to think since I was closest to the bottle that it belonged to me.
Quiet day results:
4/9 took bottle
4/4 who took bottle were local
8/9 were local
1/9 were visitors
Busy day results:
26/39 took bottle
14/26 who took bottle were local
21/39 were local
18/39 were visitors
October 17
Today I did my trail observations in the morning and afternoon... not sure how to put this one into a blog maybe scan it.
Today is my quiet day on the trail observation day! Long name but it kind of explains what I'm doing for the day. I went out early today to walk the trails to figure out which one would be the best for observing as well as the one that would recieve a good number of people for test results. I chose to focus on the Tasman Sea Lookout as it is an easy climb and is also a highly used trail. What I did for the test was put a plastic bottle on the wooden observation area just to see what people would do. I didnt want them to think it belonged to me so I hid myself away in the bushes a bit. Fortunately with this trail people come to the Lookout first and then continue on the trail to the Gap. I tried to catch people on their return trip to ask them questions about the rubbish as well as some information from them as a hiker.
The results on the quiet day are:
----9 People total (8 locals 1 visitor)
----4/9 took bottle
----4/4 were local
I talked to the people who came to Tasman Lookout and most said they just wanted to check out the view as it is very scerene and beautiful. It was commented that it is an easy trail apart from the stairs but on the same note is good for some light exercise. This trail seems to be used primarily for the view, great for sunrise looking back at Piha and sunsets over the sea, its also a great place for watching surfers and the waves.
Today is my quiet day on the trail observation day! Long name but it kind of explains what I'm doing for the day. I went out early today to walk the trails to figure out which one would be the best for observing as well as the one that would recieve a good number of people for test results. I chose to focus on the Tasman Sea Lookout as it is an easy climb and is also a highly used trail. What I did for the test was put a plastic bottle on the wooden observation area just to see what people would do. I didnt want them to think it belonged to me so I hid myself away in the bushes a bit. Fortunately with this trail people come to the Lookout first and then continue on the trail to the Gap. I tried to catch people on their return trip to ask them questions about the rubbish as well as some information from them as a hiker.
The results on the quiet day are:
----9 People total (8 locals 1 visitor)
----4/9 took bottle
----4/4 were local
I talked to the people who came to Tasman Lookout and most said they just wanted to check out the view as it is very scerene and beautiful. It was commented that it is an easy trail apart from the stairs but on the same note is good for some light exercise. This trail seems to be used primarily for the view, great for sunrise looking back at Piha and sunsets over the sea, its also a great place for watching surfers and the waves.
October 16
Today was a little more light hearted. Carl (Ireland), Geoff (New Zealand), Thomas (Czech Republic), and me (USA) all decided to have a mini Olympics thing today. First was Bowling…. Okay so not NORMAL bowling. This is like lawn bowling which by the way is stupid and not bowling on a lawn at all! Its like bocci ball except you don’t throw the ball …and its not technically a ball it’s a sphere like object with two flat sides on it that you roll. So I guess in the aspect of rolling something its like bowling. You roll the ball with flat sides at a smaller ball and knock the other teams flat balls out of the way to be closest to the small one…. Right… so I stunk at this game because I just wanted to throw it like Bocchi. I don’t know how the scoring went but I lost… on to tennis then!
Ok so apparently Im bad at tennis as well, hitting the ball no matter if its in or out, hitting it more like a baseball… apparently hitting it out of the tennis court does not result in the crowd going wild… Onto drinking games!
This is where I excelled a little bit. We all taught each other different drinking games from our home countries. Carls game was mostly just drinking and punching and honestly don’t know how anyone won the game… seemed like you were either getting punched and drinking or getting punched and not it… huh. Geoffs game was somewhat of a mystery and involved cowboys and saying strange country terms like “Bring um on down” and “Get along little doggy” I think this game needs being drunk as a prerequistite as it didn’t make any sense whatsoever you just point at someone and say something and they drink. Thomas’s game was a little easier, you flip a box of matches into the ash tray and depending how it lands on the faces you have to drink… was more like a flip it and however it lands you drink. Was fun to watch him flip the match box though. And I taught them how to play beer pong which seemed to be the most fun for everyone and lasted the longest as well. So I was 1 for 3 not bad Americans placed third! Woo!
Ok so apparently Im bad at tennis as well, hitting the ball no matter if its in or out, hitting it more like a baseball… apparently hitting it out of the tennis court does not result in the crowd going wild… Onto drinking games!
This is where I excelled a little bit. We all taught each other different drinking games from our home countries. Carls game was mostly just drinking and punching and honestly don’t know how anyone won the game… seemed like you were either getting punched and drinking or getting punched and not it… huh. Geoffs game was somewhat of a mystery and involved cowboys and saying strange country terms like “Bring um on down” and “Get along little doggy” I think this game needs being drunk as a prerequistite as it didn’t make any sense whatsoever you just point at someone and say something and they drink. Thomas’s game was a little easier, you flip a box of matches into the ash tray and depending how it lands on the faces you have to drink… was more like a flip it and however it lands you drink. Was fun to watch him flip the match box though. And I taught them how to play beer pong which seemed to be the most fun for everyone and lasted the longest as well. So I was 1 for 3 not bad Americans placed third! Woo!
October 15
Well it was quite the downer today after yesterdays good weather and the interview. A guy drove to Piha today for solely one purpose, and that was to commit suicide off of Lion Rock. Geoff tells me that it happens every now and then people come out here and do it. He thinks its because of how relaxing it is and the scenery, people would rather go thinking of something beautiful. Very sad day for the persons family, as well as the Piha community, prayers go out to all of them.
October 14
My prayers got answered today and it was by far the best weather since ive been here. No clouds, no wind, just sun and blue skies… wonderful. I decided to make the best of the day and help Geoff out on the beach. We made new signs to be placed on the sand dunes for the upcoming summer season. Signs all pretty much say the same thing aka “Get off the dunes, use the designated pathways stupid” Now they don’t actually say that but its what they try to get across to people. We placed them in South Piha which seems to have the worst erosion problems as well as the most visitors. We will see this weekend how well these actually deter people from walking all over the dunes
On the way back home I stopped at Blairs on the Beach it was the first time it is open and Thomas is working there for extra money. I got the chance to talk to Mr. Adrian Blair himself! Apparently he is not a kiwi but from Britain, and he even lived in NY for a while too. He lives in NZ for the summer and then back to Britain for another summer, he and his wife simply get enough money working in similar places to fly themselves out back and forth living in the summers and enjoying the views. Now Blairs as its name implies is the closest place to get food on the beach and is at a prime location and definetly without a doubt gets the most visitors out of any store in Piha during the summer. It seems to be a logical place to ask about the dependence of tourism to his store. He relies on it completely for here as well as in Britain, if it wasn’t for tourism he would be out of both jobs and have no way to make a living. Before I continue I asked him about contributing to the community as it’s a big part of my study and he seems to be leaning more towards the tourism end rather then ecotourism. He tells me that he sponsors local surfers, has local events, uses only local foods for his store… (side note: Blairs was rated as having #1 best fries in NZ, so far I agree with it) he also does community projects which benefits the environment as well as getting his sponsored surfers recognition in local papers and magazines. So he does give back to the community a bit even if he does have a bit of a monopoly on the fast food type business, haha. For his own purposes he tells me that he does make a decent amount of money for selling burgers and fries, his overhead is pretty low, him & his wife, and one or two employees. He says its not really about the money to him, he does fine business and all but he enjoys the community and the surfing. He seems to truly be a person who enjoys every bit of his life which is great for him but he also likes to share it with others.
On the way back home I stopped at Blairs on the Beach it was the first time it is open and Thomas is working there for extra money. I got the chance to talk to Mr. Adrian Blair himself! Apparently he is not a kiwi but from Britain, and he even lived in NY for a while too. He lives in NZ for the summer and then back to Britain for another summer, he and his wife simply get enough money working in similar places to fly themselves out back and forth living in the summers and enjoying the views. Now Blairs as its name implies is the closest place to get food on the beach and is at a prime location and definetly without a doubt gets the most visitors out of any store in Piha during the summer. It seems to be a logical place to ask about the dependence of tourism to his store. He relies on it completely for here as well as in Britain, if it wasn’t for tourism he would be out of both jobs and have no way to make a living. Before I continue I asked him about contributing to the community as it’s a big part of my study and he seems to be leaning more towards the tourism end rather then ecotourism. He tells me that he sponsors local surfers, has local events, uses only local foods for his store… (side note: Blairs was rated as having #1 best fries in NZ, so far I agree with it) he also does community projects which benefits the environment as well as getting his sponsored surfers recognition in local papers and magazines. So he does give back to the community a bit even if he does have a bit of a monopoly on the fast food type business, haha. For his own purposes he tells me that he does make a decent amount of money for selling burgers and fries, his overhead is pretty low, him & his wife, and one or two employees. He says its not really about the money to him, he does fine business and all but he enjoys the community and the surfing. He seems to truly be a person who enjoys every bit of his life which is great for him but he also likes to share it with others.
October 13
Didn’t get a whole lot done today because the weather seems to hate me here, hopefully at some point I will have one week of nice weather, not even great weather or amazing weather just maybe a day without weather. Getting tired of how inconsistent the weather is here, the mornings are cold and rainy, so I stay inside, then in the afternoon it gets hot and clear out so I walk to the beach just in time for more clouds and wind or rain to come in so I walk back to the house and then it gets sunny again. Just one day of nothing would be awesome, no clouds, no wind, I wouldn’t even mind no sun, just some kind of constant would be perfect right now.
As for the day I went around the trail heads to check out the new signs that have been placed. Nice new wood with a brighter paint then the old ones. They stand out a bit more which is nice if your looking for a track and cant find the signs. Im wondering how often they have to be replaced or if they have problems like street signs in Syracuse of people stealing them and putting them in their rooms… may have to grab one before I leave NZ haha
As for the day I went around the trail heads to check out the new signs that have been placed. Nice new wood with a brighter paint then the old ones. They stand out a bit more which is nice if your looking for a track and cant find the signs. Im wondering how often they have to be replaced or if they have problems like street signs in Syracuse of people stealing them and putting them in their rooms… may have to grab one before I leave NZ haha
October 12
Slept very heavily last night, woke up at 11:30 to Geoff asking if I wanted to go into town for food and stuff. So I of course crawl out of bed put on a bandana to hide my messed up hair and out the door. Geoff and I talk about his upcoming rangering stuff and how I can shadow him a little bit and one of the big jobs this year is dog control on the beaches. So we head into a new town for me, Henderson, Geoff has some business to do in town for a while so I get to wander a bit. Henderson is the home of the Waitakere City Council and is one of the larger cities compared to some of the others around the Ranges. I take a little tour of the Council. The plazas and architecture of this building are really really well done. The building sits next to a rail station, so workers in the council can simply get onto an escalator and it takes them up to a sky walk over the tracks. The walk is glass and goes over to a step of stairs that goes out the other end of the building and splits down 2 hallways. One goes into the office area and the other goes into the “council hall” a big area where large scale meetings must be held. I was unable to go down these hallways but was able to look in to see a very highly ornate inside. The outside was a very modern look, with lots of steel and glass. It also seems to be a NZ thing but they seem to use a lot of reds, blacks, and whites for their color schemes not just in buildings but in many other things as well. Realized this quite early as these are the same colors as my car: black car, white rims, red calipers. All three colors contrast with one another and make the white and red really stand out.
To the north of the building is a Japanese inspired garden… found it funny that a tranquility garden was adjacent to a train station haha. Oh situational irony. Neat features and details were in the garden, including bamboo fences that not only block out views to the train but also give shade and seating areas. The water also made some noise to drown out the commotion of the busy city and trains. A neat detail was the water flows across the sidewalk in a 6” wide ¼” deep trench and then a collection area with a pump to return it to the top of the waterfall.
This theme was present in the other plazas as well, open concrete sidewalks with uncontained water, of course the water drops between cracks to recycle it but there are no physical barriers that stop people from walking right into or through the water feature. It was also incorporated into the seating area where the water flows around under or on top and down the concrete benches.
The council was definitely a highlight of my trip so far as it was just so well put together, it was very enjoyable, and it goes to show that when something is planned and designed very well people really appreciate it… at least other planners and designers do heh.
The rest of the city was nice as well, things were oriented very close to one another yet it did not seem overcrowded or busy. The plazas and sidewalks were the rule here, they seem insistant on being the focus of the town. And fortunately they were all very nicely done. One of the ones I liked was in front of the mall, it uses a boardwalk and a stone wall swirling in and out of one another with planters in between. It had nothing to do with the mall but it looked nice and it provided a nice desire line to the mall entrance.
To the north of the building is a Japanese inspired garden… found it funny that a tranquility garden was adjacent to a train station haha. Oh situational irony. Neat features and details were in the garden, including bamboo fences that not only block out views to the train but also give shade and seating areas. The water also made some noise to drown out the commotion of the busy city and trains. A neat detail was the water flows across the sidewalk in a 6” wide ¼” deep trench and then a collection area with a pump to return it to the top of the waterfall.
This theme was present in the other plazas as well, open concrete sidewalks with uncontained water, of course the water drops between cracks to recycle it but there are no physical barriers that stop people from walking right into or through the water feature. It was also incorporated into the seating area where the water flows around under or on top and down the concrete benches.
The council was definitely a highlight of my trip so far as it was just so well put together, it was very enjoyable, and it goes to show that when something is planned and designed very well people really appreciate it… at least other planners and designers do heh.
The rest of the city was nice as well, things were oriented very close to one another yet it did not seem overcrowded or busy. The plazas and sidewalks were the rule here, they seem insistant on being the focus of the town. And fortunately they were all very nicely done. One of the ones I liked was in front of the mall, it uses a boardwalk and a stone wall swirling in and out of one another with planters in between. It had nothing to do with the mall but it looked nice and it provided a nice desire line to the mall entrance.
October 11
Last night I didn’t sleep at ALL. I was either nervous or just the fact that I was trying to sleep on the worlds most uncomfortable couch. So I got changed and headed over to the hotel where Scott is staying. We drove down to Piha all the while talking about different aspects of NZ, like how the road signage stinks, and about proper ways to enter a roundabout. We talked all about invasive species plants and animals alike. It seems that Scotts experience in California and Costa Rica serves him well here as he recognizes a lot of plants that grow in both places whether they are invasive or for aesthetic purposes.
We started out by going to Kitekite Falls, checked out the house, and then to the Gap and Piha Store for lunch and review. All in all went pretty well, just have confirmation of what I wanted to know and now I can really get into my project without having to wade so deeply into the government papers. Much more about what I am observing and how things relate to one another. This insight is something I needed as I was worried about my project being filled with too much random nonsensical jargon and junk.
We started out by going to Kitekite Falls, checked out the house, and then to the Gap and Piha Store for lunch and review. All in all went pretty well, just have confirmation of what I wanted to know and now I can really get into my project without having to wade so deeply into the government papers. Much more about what I am observing and how things relate to one another. This insight is something I needed as I was worried about my project being filled with too much random nonsensical jargon and junk.
October 10
Got a ride into the city once again for the big advisor dinner! Kind of nervous and excited to see Scott. Always good to see someone you know in a place that you don’t. So into the city and over to the Sky Tower for dinner at Orbit, a revolving restaurant on the highest structure in the southern hemisphere. That fact still does not sit well with me as I don’t think its true but marketing is just as much about lies as it is about bending the truth! Regardless the dinner was quite nice, the dinners were of course quite small so I planned ahead and ate something before I arrived. The server we had was so strange, it seemed like he had some contempt for our table, rearranging silverware, taking glasses and pouring equal amounts into every glass. He was either OCD or he just took his job way to seriously, I mean you could tell just by looking at our table that we really could care less about proper dining etiquette. Ended up spending $35 for a salmon chunk and some bread… wow I wish there was a taco bell here… $35 could last me a week.
After dinner Scott decided to crash at the hotel, the rest of the group decided to have some drinks at the QF Tavern…. Wow mistake… It was karaoke night and apparently it was only for screaming tuxedo guy and Johnny Cash the hobo. So we promptly left and went to the Globe. Was very awkward for me to be here, went down the stairs and boom pole dancer… very very awkward. So I averted my eyes had a drink and dancer finally got down. Then it was time for dancing, so we all danced like idiots and made the Globe go from creepy pole dancing place to raving dance party. Now that is an American diplomatic mission for ya.
After dinner Scott decided to crash at the hotel, the rest of the group decided to have some drinks at the QF Tavern…. Wow mistake… It was karaoke night and apparently it was only for screaming tuxedo guy and Johnny Cash the hobo. So we promptly left and went to the Globe. Was very awkward for me to be here, went down the stairs and boom pole dancer… very very awkward. So I averted my eyes had a drink and dancer finally got down. Then it was time for dancing, so we all danced like idiots and made the Globe go from creepy pole dancing place to raving dance party. Now that is an American diplomatic mission for ya.
October 8
Today I just needed to get out of the house... even though it was still pouring and windy from the worlds largest storm. I decided to go on a long trail to clear my mind and Whites Trail seemed to be a good option as I havent taken it yet. Headed to North Piha got onto the trail. This one seemed a little different, wider trail then the others and very open with large palm trees. It opens up to a little grassy area (strange, who mows this?) and a stream. The stream was a little brook really with shallow enough areas to step across without really getting your feet wet. So I jumped across and headed up the trail. Wow this one was steep and I mean STEEP. To the point where a trail isnt feasible and it is all stairs... stairs that are having erosion problems mind you but still stairs nonetheless. The trail gets much much smaller after the brook as well, not possible for two people to walk side by side and would have difficulty passing. It wraps around the mountain a bit in shadey areas as well as sunny spots. Temperature is pretty variable throughtout the whole ordeal really.
So climb climb climb... wow I feel like im getting nowhere fast. I take a bit of a detour (off the trail) and find a clearing to see where I am relative to the beach..... Oh my god Im only half way!!! What the heck kind of wacky vertical inigma is this?!? Im already tired from battling the stairs and hot/cold flashes. Im not in top physical condition by any means but jeez! So after a lot of breaks I feel I am starting to make it to the top of mountain 1... it then goes down to Whites Beach which the trail is named after.
(side note: just realized how close trail and trial are... irony? i think not)
I feel the sun getting more prevalent obviously meaning the top, I walk out into the sun.... . . . . onto somebodys driveway.... what? I check my map. Im in the right place. Why is there a road and a house? I walk down the road a bit and sure enough there is Whites beach... I promptly turn around and head back down the trail. What an awful awful trick that was. Here I felt like I was accomplishing something and not thinking.. Oh I can just get a ride up there. Its like someone climbing Mount Everest and finding some children with skis taking the lift up instead... a very what the *beep* kind of moment.
So I find my little clearing again half way down look out and see fog... but its not fog its another huge storm coming through. Luckily its going to Piha Valley instead of where I was... then I realize *shhhhhhhhHHHHHH* noise getting louder... ok so Im not a meterologist and cant predict weather patterns. So now the dirt trail with stairs and erosion problems becomes a slip and slide of mud with wooden stairs as tripping hazards. fantastic. Then I find my brook has become a river.
I sit and think back to home, for some reason the show "Man vs Wild" comes into my head and I end up not only being an adventurer but I also video record my mockumentary with enough sarcasm to choke a horse with. I am muddy, wet, dissappointed, and yet I feel great and the world is okay with me once again =)
So climb climb climb... wow I feel like im getting nowhere fast. I take a bit of a detour (off the trail) and find a clearing to see where I am relative to the beach..... Oh my god Im only half way!!! What the heck kind of wacky vertical inigma is this?!? Im already tired from battling the stairs and hot/cold flashes. Im not in top physical condition by any means but jeez! So after a lot of breaks I feel I am starting to make it to the top of mountain 1... it then goes down to Whites Beach which the trail is named after.
(side note: just realized how close trail and trial are... irony? i think not)
I feel the sun getting more prevalent obviously meaning the top, I walk out into the sun.... . . . . onto somebodys driveway.... what? I check my map. Im in the right place. Why is there a road and a house? I walk down the road a bit and sure enough there is Whites beach... I promptly turn around and head back down the trail. What an awful awful trick that was. Here I felt like I was accomplishing something and not thinking.. Oh I can just get a ride up there. Its like someone climbing Mount Everest and finding some children with skis taking the lift up instead... a very what the *beep* kind of moment.
So I find my little clearing again half way down look out and see fog... but its not fog its another huge storm coming through. Luckily its going to Piha Valley instead of where I was... then I realize *shhhhhhhhHHHHHH* noise getting louder... ok so Im not a meterologist and cant predict weather patterns. So now the dirt trail with stairs and erosion problems becomes a slip and slide of mud with wooden stairs as tripping hazards. fantastic. Then I find my brook has become a river.
I sit and think back to home, for some reason the show "Man vs Wild" comes into my head and I end up not only being an adventurer but I also video record my mockumentary with enough sarcasm to choke a horse with. I am muddy, wet, dissappointed, and yet I feel great and the world is okay with me once again =)
October 6
Wow today Geoff dropped a LOT of information off to me as he is getting ready for his Park Ranger job to kick up for the coming tourist season.
Park Ranger Manual
Piha Coastal Management Plan
Piha Reserve Management Plan
Waitakere City Parks and Reserves Law Manual
and also a notebook on all sorts of topics that have been addressed on the beach including the location of lifeguard station, dune restoration signage, rubbish bin locations, and lots of other details that I could easily have missed or not thought about them not being there and the reprocussions.
All of this information is pretty useful to me I believe but just having to wade through all of it is going to be a bear. I may need to refine my methods of how to depicts everything that is going on into something more cohesive
Park Ranger Manual
Piha Coastal Management Plan
Piha Reserve Management Plan
Waitakere City Parks and Reserves Law Manual
and also a notebook on all sorts of topics that have been addressed on the beach including the location of lifeguard station, dune restoration signage, rubbish bin locations, and lots of other details that I could easily have missed or not thought about them not being there and the reprocussions.
All of this information is pretty useful to me I believe but just having to wade through all of it is going to be a bear. I may need to refine my methods of how to depicts everything that is going on into something more cohesive
October 5
Today I went surfing with Thomas and got to know him a bit better. The thing that really stuck in my mind from everything we talked about was people asking him:
"How are you doing?"
How are you doing... To me the proper response to it is... good how are you?
How are you doing for Thomas means, I havent seen you in a long time and would truely like to catch up on all of the details that I missed in my absence... the proper response to Thomas is a very very lengthy conversation about all of your doings in the past year....
Very strange. I never really thought about it before but the way I see the statement is thats just what you say in response, there is no ryhme or reason to it you just say it. Almost like when someone sneezes you say "Bless you" Your not actually blessing anyone nor do most people mean that, its just the proper response to another action. Thomas says, to him saying how are you doing is only when you really CARE how the person is doing and usually it is meant for someone you have not seen in a very long time. So when he meets people for the first time and they go "Hello thomas, how are you doing?" or when he was doing work in the US and people casually walk by going "how ya doing?" It just confused and bothered him as to others it was a waste of a sentence or a completly irrelavent question.
This way one of those things that really got me thinking about how others percieve me and what "normals" do not carry over to other cultures. Have I been doing anything embarrassing like that with people? Should I not approach people so easily or is there some kind of social boundary? What are the social barriers... am I breaking them? Man I feel like I have the ugly American mentality now....
"How are you doing?"
How are you doing... To me the proper response to it is... good how are you?
How are you doing for Thomas means, I havent seen you in a long time and would truely like to catch up on all of the details that I missed in my absence... the proper response to Thomas is a very very lengthy conversation about all of your doings in the past year....
Very strange. I never really thought about it before but the way I see the statement is thats just what you say in response, there is no ryhme or reason to it you just say it. Almost like when someone sneezes you say "Bless you" Your not actually blessing anyone nor do most people mean that, its just the proper response to another action. Thomas says, to him saying how are you doing is only when you really CARE how the person is doing and usually it is meant for someone you have not seen in a very long time. So when he meets people for the first time and they go "Hello thomas, how are you doing?" or when he was doing work in the US and people casually walk by going "how ya doing?" It just confused and bothered him as to others it was a waste of a sentence or a completly irrelavent question.
This way one of those things that really got me thinking about how others percieve me and what "normals" do not carry over to other cultures. Have I been doing anything embarrassing like that with people? Should I not approach people so easily or is there some kind of social boundary? What are the social barriers... am I breaking them? Man I feel like I have the ugly American mentality now....
October 4
Another unsuccessful day with rain, wind, and no power. At least the water collecters are full now! Me, Geoff (kiwi), Thomas (Czech), Piere (French), and Carl (Ireland) are all in the dark around the camp fire... It was just so strange to have so many different people all with different accents speaking the same language and talking about their countries and traveling and such. We all noted how dependent everyone is on electricity and lights. Just trying to operate on natural lighting was difficult as we are all used to eating dinner at 8-9 at night... we couldnt even see what we were eating at that time none the less cook something! It was pretty funny though. I usually microwave dinner so I was out of luck for food. The other guys were planning on making pasta, however without power the water was not pumped so they were done too.
So we were all depressed about no food and discussed again how fortunate we are and we take things for granted, imagining how it would be if we had to survive without modern technology.... and then the POWER CAME BACK ON!!! Geoff immediatly says "YES i was worried i was going to miss my show! Glad I dont have to talk to you guys anymore!" and he runs out the door. Thomas runs to the faucet and gets water into his pot for pasta. I remove myself since I can now nuke my dinner of canned beans.
It was so easy to forget what we were all talking about as the bright lights of electricity and television are captivating
So we were all depressed about no food and discussed again how fortunate we are and we take things for granted, imagining how it would be if we had to survive without modern technology.... and then the POWER CAME BACK ON!!! Geoff immediatly says "YES i was worried i was going to miss my show! Glad I dont have to talk to you guys anymore!" and he runs out the door. Thomas runs to the faucet and gets water into his pot for pasta. I remove myself since I can now nuke my dinner of canned beans.
It was so easy to forget what we were all talking about as the bright lights of electricity and television are captivating
October 3
Today was windy... and when I say windy I mean "hey where did the roof go?" windy. A huge huge storm came through. I never knew what people meant when they said the rain was blowing sideways until today. I would imagine this is what a hurricane feels like. Trees lost branchs things got uprooted, dunes moved, tides and waves become dangerous, and the house was shakeing in its foundation. The power got knocked out, scary to think that one of the concrete powerlines fell over.
Being next to the ocean you really are at the mercy of it, and you really see how powerful nature really is. Especially here you can see how fast weather can change and how the advice of wearing layers should be taken seriously.
But today learned how nice it is to have solar lighting and run almost entirely off the "grid"
Being next to the ocean you really are at the mercy of it, and you really see how powerful nature really is. Especially here you can see how fast weather can change and how the advice of wearing layers should be taken seriously.
But today learned how nice it is to have solar lighting and run almost entirely off the "grid"
October 2
Today was really interesting, Geoff and Thomas went on a surfing trip out to Ships Wreck Bay. I was in charge of a full house of guests at an ecolodge! Very strange guests at that... they asked me to make a list for them to do a scavenger hunt? Weird. But anyways I got to explain about some of the things I knew about the volcanic valley as well as the sustainable construction put into the beachstay.
October 1
Today was okay weather so I ventured out to the Piha Store to get the community news paper. A really interesting article in there is a debate about the Piha post office. The lease for the building is currently up. So the post office needs to be relocated but they do not know where yet. The post office wants to move across the street and move in with the Piha library. HOWEVER, the library does not want the post office to be included in with them. So the big dilemma is to figure out where else the post office can go without interrupting the daily workings of whom ever they move with. It should be an interesting debacle is neat to be right in the middle of it. It will be interesting to see what happens.
September 30
Feeling a little bit better today comparatively. Trying to rest today. On a side note ducks have become a problem at the guest house. They are landing on the deck and walking into the house. Geoff is thinking he may need to shoot some as they are getting too bold and are even tapping on the glass and begging when they see people. Who would have thought ducks as a pest species?
September 29
Trip back to Piha... taking trips, walking in the rain, not getting enough sleep, and not eating well.... ughh awful combination
September 28
Today I bought some supplies around the city for the project.... the art store was closed so I had to be a little more creative in finding places to go. Ended up going to a Borders type place called Whitcoulls. Bought wrapping paper with the colors of the Pui shell, thinking that I may use a router and cut the north and south island out of the cover on my sketchbook and then place this behind it. May be neat.... may look awful. Oh well have to do something to make it look better then just nothing. Wish I was able to scrapbook like my mom, would be really neat to have something like that for a presentation and memories as well.
Decided that since I'm in the city anyways I would go up the Skytower. It was a really nice blue sky day so it was ideal conditions at least. Had to goto the basement and then hopped into the elevator. Had flash backs to going up the World Trade Center elevators a year before Sept 11... gives me the chills. But anyways wasnt really overly excited as WTC was quite similar... other then the glass floor panels. Was funny to watch everyone walk around the panels instead of on them. Got to see the Waitakere Ranges from afar as well. Pretty neat to see how close they really are to such a major city. Anyways dropping off the Skytower... not really worth the money unfortunately. Oh well I can at least say I did it
Decided that since I'm in the city anyways I would go up the Skytower. It was a really nice blue sky day so it was ideal conditions at least. Had to goto the basement and then hopped into the elevator. Had flash backs to going up the World Trade Center elevators a year before Sept 11... gives me the chills. But anyways wasnt really overly excited as WTC was quite similar... other then the glass floor panels. Was funny to watch everyone walk around the panels instead of on them. Got to see the Waitakere Ranges from afar as well. Pretty neat to see how close they really are to such a major city. Anyways dropping off the Skytower... not really worth the money unfortunately. Oh well I can at least say I did it
September 27
So we get back on the road and head off to Rotorua once again, this time we are going to Whakawerawera. Compared to the other geothermal area this one is mostly about the Maori culture that surrounds it and still lives in it. Upon arriving the stench of sulphur comes back, boy I did not miss that. Anyways the geothermal park was not nearly as colorful or interesting as Waiti-pu but the culture was quite amazing. We started with a Maori ritual dance, it was quite intense and wish that there was a way to truely capture the experience as it is beautiful yet intense at the same time. One of the best parts was going on a guided tour with one of the villagers who lives in the geothermally active park. We learned all about how they use the heat for taking baths in mineral water, washing clothes, and even cooking. They prepared a meal for us made entirely in a boiling hot geothermal pool. Ham and chicken, with corn, carrots, potato, and kumara (sweet potato) it was a very comfort food type dinner as well as packed with minerals from the pool. It was pretty neat, however right across the geyser was a very commercial upscale park. The Maori dont have the funds to be able to compete with a multimillion dollar park so it seems they need to compete on the cultural portion of the market. This seems to be a odd connection to my project really.
A community who protect the landscape funded only by tourists who come for the cultural and natural experiences... and on the opposite end of the spectrum a very much commercialized tourist run industry taking advantage of natural attractions for profit...
Seems pretty darn close to an ecotourism vs tourism relationship.
A community who protect the landscape funded only by tourists who come for the cultural and natural experiences... and on the opposite end of the spectrum a very much commercialized tourist run industry taking advantage of natural attractions for profit...
Seems pretty darn close to an ecotourism vs tourism relationship.
September 26
So today is looking nice so we decide one more trail and then down to the beach. So we go for Kitekite Falls today. The girls really enjoyed this walk as it was much easier then the two yesterday. The falls were quite nice and the weather was very nice as well. Perfect time. We went down to the beach sun tanned, looked for shells for their apartment, and just relaxed. I elected to drive back to Auckland as I really really enjoyed driving. The one thing I really must note is that the road signs here really REALLY suck. I mean sure every now and then I can see an un-named road or a sign not being there, but here it seems to be the majority of street signage is just missing. It does make getting lost fairly easy. Plus when you add on top of this that roads simply change names or have unbelievably similar names to other roads.
Great North Road is the worst offender and I hate it. Get off the highway and its Great North Road, you can take it north or south. Going south it magically turns into NEW Great North Road, Rata Street, and then Swanson Road.... of course this is all in the town/suburb of New Lynn, Great Lynn, South and West Lynn So you could be going south on New Great North Road in West Lynn... OR you could be going north on Great North Road in New Lynn..... most confusing and stupid road... EVER. I miss the D.O.T. back home =(
Great North Road is the worst offender and I hate it. Get off the highway and its Great North Road, you can take it north or south. Going south it magically turns into NEW Great North Road, Rata Street, and then Swanson Road.... of course this is all in the town/suburb of New Lynn, Great Lynn, South and West Lynn So you could be going south on New Great North Road in West Lynn... OR you could be going north on Great North Road in New Lynn..... most confusing and stupid road... EVER. I miss the D.O.T. back home =(
September 25
So I wake up from my rage induced coma in the car driving to Piha with Amber and Karlie. We get to the windy parts of the road and offer to drive as I know the roads a little bit. So I hop into the car and not mention to them its my first time driving. what fun! Suprisingly it was extremely comfortable not to scary and was actually enjoyable. I love driving to begin with and I am just having a ball. The ultra windy roads to Piha were such fun.... However, I hear it the whole time there that both of them get motion sick in cars especially around windy roads... oh well... I enjoy myself anyways. Get into Piha finally and give them the overall tour. They both need to get black sand and shells... ugh girls. We go up Maungaroa and we check out the gap. They both loved it.
For some strange reason however there were a TON of dead things that floated out onto the beach that day... about 2 dozen dead birds, a seal, tons of crabs, and even a penguin.... maybe its a sign about American girls... dun dun dunnn
Anyways at the gap its the first time I have seen a starfish... it was washed onto the beach so we tossed it back into the water. It was still squishy so I assume it was still alive. Anything I can do to help conserve I suppose... its neat how my project is starting to have such an affect on me.
For some strange reason however there were a TON of dead things that floated out onto the beach that day... about 2 dozen dead birds, a seal, tons of crabs, and even a penguin.... maybe its a sign about American girls... dun dun dunnn
Anyways at the gap its the first time I have seen a starfish... it was washed onto the beach so we tossed it back into the water. It was still squishy so I assume it was still alive. Anything I can do to help conserve I suppose... its neat how my project is starting to have such an affect on me.
September 24
So today is the visit to Unitec and meet Rod Barnett the in country contact. So far he hasnt been that great of help but maybe I am just asking the wrong questions. So up to Glen Eden and onto the train. The train ride was a little different. And not just because I am going the opposite direction but because i sat next to a couple of hoodlum looking guys which made me pretty uncomfortable. They finally get off at their stop and I breath a sigh of relief. The train then stops in between two stations. Over the loud speaker he says we have to wait for another train......
I didnt notice it until today that the public transportation system is in fact awful. Before I didnt think much of it but when you have to plan over an hour to get from a suburb into the center city via the primary and only railway system.... wow just wow... would like to shake the hand of whoeever came up with that idea.
Regardless I am back to feeling safe and the train continues on. A new passenger hops on.. I give an awkward death stare at him to not sit near me or my bags. The ticket guy comes over and asks for this new guy to pay... I listen in as he is talking and he has the strangest accent... or lack thereof.... this guy is not from here. I creepily tell him he has no accent and is not from here so fess up where are you from. California. I knew it! ha! I could hear it from a mile away just how he talked and conducted himself on the train..... makes me wonder how easily I am to pick out in a crowd of kiwis. yeesh. Anyways got his info and stuff seems like a nice guy, always nice to meet a fellow American
So onto the rest of the long day.
I meet Karlie and Amber and went walking down to get the rental car and me to go shopping for food. I stop at the ATM to withdraw money.... the only thing that happens is my card gets sucked in and my account gets frozen... what the #*%&$@! So the week is going to be played out this way... fantastic
So with what I have go for staple foods, bread, canned beans, and the like. We also buy Katy a really nice cake for her birthday. We meet up with Katy have some cake and head off to Unitec.
Unitec seemed like an interesting campus, the setup and building style looked very odd to all of us and later we found that it was because it used to be an insane assyllum.... HA makes Marshall look like a holiday retreat... eww I said holiday instead of vacation... kiwis wearing off on me... must get clean!...... But anyways the building was weird, the faculty was weirder. The front desk had no idea who or where the landscape architects were, the younger students had no clue who Rod Barnett even was! Felt like the building was having negative effects on everyones mental wellness. We found the room, found the critique. The students had one project for the semester. I thought there would be a lot more work then what was presented, or at least a little more thourough. I felt like they havent presented much as they kind of fell over themselves while talking and when asked questions or given any other opinion they collapsed... i mean if they have the choice of what they want to do a project on have some gusto with the presentation. Have some confidence that what you designed is the best, your trying to sell your idea and show that what you designed is flawless. Even if it is not the case which it almost certainly will always be. Regardless, these students had no confidence or interest in their own designs, maybe it was how we were taught in ESF or maybe it is how I was brought up with my dad being an IBM salesmen, or maybe it was being in QPK, but if i was to lay down and give up so easily on my own product, my own design and not even put up a fight for it... WOW! I mean really, no wonder architects have such an ego and control projects like they do.
Rod gave us a tour and I even asked him... How do these kids get along with the architects and designers as they are all in the same building. He said fairly well, they learn the lingo of one another and communicate well between each other. I asked about the landscape architects taking the second chair to the architect and are there any conflicts between them in the real world market here. He said they are expected to fall behind the architect as that is whats is important in the landscape...... WHAT?!?!?!?! At this point I had a brain aneurysm and my ears started to bleed... no wonder kiwis are endangered
Sarcasm *off*
I didnt notice it until today that the public transportation system is in fact awful. Before I didnt think much of it but when you have to plan over an hour to get from a suburb into the center city via the primary and only railway system.... wow just wow... would like to shake the hand of whoeever came up with that idea.
Regardless I am back to feeling safe and the train continues on. A new passenger hops on.. I give an awkward death stare at him to not sit near me or my bags. The ticket guy comes over and asks for this new guy to pay... I listen in as he is talking and he has the strangest accent... or lack thereof.... this guy is not from here. I creepily tell him he has no accent and is not from here so fess up where are you from. California. I knew it! ha! I could hear it from a mile away just how he talked and conducted himself on the train..... makes me wonder how easily I am to pick out in a crowd of kiwis. yeesh. Anyways got his info and stuff seems like a nice guy, always nice to meet a fellow American
So onto the rest of the long day.
I meet Karlie and Amber and went walking down to get the rental car and me to go shopping for food. I stop at the ATM to withdraw money.... the only thing that happens is my card gets sucked in and my account gets frozen... what the #*%&$@! So the week is going to be played out this way... fantastic
So with what I have go for staple foods, bread, canned beans, and the like. We also buy Katy a really nice cake for her birthday. We meet up with Katy have some cake and head off to Unitec.
Unitec seemed like an interesting campus, the setup and building style looked very odd to all of us and later we found that it was because it used to be an insane assyllum.... HA makes Marshall look like a holiday retreat... eww I said holiday instead of vacation... kiwis wearing off on me... must get clean!...... But anyways the building was weird, the faculty was weirder. The front desk had no idea who or where the landscape architects were, the younger students had no clue who Rod Barnett even was! Felt like the building was having negative effects on everyones mental wellness. We found the room, found the critique. The students had one project for the semester. I thought there would be a lot more work then what was presented, or at least a little more thourough. I felt like they havent presented much as they kind of fell over themselves while talking and when asked questions or given any other opinion they collapsed... i mean if they have the choice of what they want to do a project on have some gusto with the presentation. Have some confidence that what you designed is the best, your trying to sell your idea and show that what you designed is flawless. Even if it is not the case which it almost certainly will always be. Regardless, these students had no confidence or interest in their own designs, maybe it was how we were taught in ESF or maybe it is how I was brought up with my dad being an IBM salesmen, or maybe it was being in QPK, but if i was to lay down and give up so easily on my own product, my own design and not even put up a fight for it... WOW! I mean really, no wonder architects have such an ego and control projects like they do.
Rod gave us a tour and I even asked him... How do these kids get along with the architects and designers as they are all in the same building. He said fairly well, they learn the lingo of one another and communicate well between each other. I asked about the landscape architects taking the second chair to the architect and are there any conflicts between them in the real world market here. He said they are expected to fall behind the architect as that is whats is important in the landscape...... WHAT?!?!?!?! At this point I had a brain aneurysm and my ears started to bleed... no wonder kiwis are endangered
Sarcasm *off*
September 23
Today was about getting some work done for the planned days ahead. Tomorrow is MY first meeting with Rod Barnett and also first visit to Unitec. As well as Katys birthday. I plan on getting food and driving back with Karlie and Amber to Piha
September 22
Today I felt like I needed to help out Piha in some aspect and get myself involved into the community and conservation aspect as well. So today with some community members and Thomas we helped spray an invasive plant along the roads.
Tradescantia fluminensis "Wandering jew or Wandering willy"
Its a very fast growing succulent groundcover. Extremely difficult to get rid of as it spreads by vegetative means, any fragment of it and it begins to grow again. It grows particularly well along roadsides as this is where the mowers come and shorten the growth not realizing it is spreading Wandering willy like wildfire.
There is no really good way to control its growth or its spread, however you can destroy it and give other plants a chance to grow and at least establish and compete with it. Luckily here in Piha the Council gives native plants to locals for free so the idea is, use a Roundup type chemical to kill the Wandering willy and then replant the area with native plants.
All in all I think its a better idea then doing nothing but I suppose we will see the effect it has in time. The areas that were treated the year before seem to be doing pretty well so maybe it is a viable way of invasive species control?
Tradescantia fluminensis "Wandering jew or Wandering willy"
Its a very fast growing succulent groundcover. Extremely difficult to get rid of as it spreads by vegetative means, any fragment of it and it begins to grow again. It grows particularly well along roadsides as this is where the mowers come and shorten the growth not realizing it is spreading Wandering willy like wildfire.
There is no really good way to control its growth or its spread, however you can destroy it and give other plants a chance to grow and at least establish and compete with it. Luckily here in Piha the Council gives native plants to locals for free so the idea is, use a Roundup type chemical to kill the Wandering willy and then replant the area with native plants.
All in all I think its a better idea then doing nothing but I suppose we will see the effect it has in time. The areas that were treated the year before seem to be doing pretty well so maybe it is a viable way of invasive species control?
September 21
Second day down at the beach of surfing, this time with a large crowd to watch me fail! No pressure. I didnt do entirely bad I even managed to stand up for about .3 miliseconds before falling back into the crashing waves... I must need more upper body strength as I have become a bit weak since working in an office. Metabolism dont fail me now!
But anyways after surfing parked myself on the beach and just observed how people were using the beach. A lot of people just sat down like myself and watched surfers, waves, or whatever. A lot of people also walked up and down the shore going "oh the tide is gone im going to walk out as far as i can.... oh no the waves are coming back in but i dont want my sandals to get wet!" as they scrurry back up the beach. Lots of people also play rugby or kick the ball back and forth. I thought to myself about frisbee and then realized beach winds probably prevent any game of frisbee from even starting. Then I turned around to my surprise to see what was going on in the dunes.
Now the dunes are in a precarious position. They are vital to Piha as they protect the entire village from ocean waves and flooding, but they also in between the parking lots and the beach.... hence the problem is desire lines! The dread of all Landscape Architects. Its something that can be included into a design however there is no way one can predict all the lines... other then a plaza or a giant concrete slab. You can design measures to control it but its nearly impossible to stop all cases of people not using desinated pathways..... ok back on track (pun not intended ha) The dunes are already a very fragile system and people are tramping all over them. People putting chairs and umbrellas to sit atop the dune, children running around stomping on plants and kicking sand around, and dogs... dogs are the worst, digging and rolling around on the frail plants, chasing nesting birds and using the area as a bathroom. I think that even with visiting peoples general lack of respect for the beaches and dunes that dogs are by far the worst thing that has happened to Piha.
People let their dogs run around without leashes and they have just been devastating to both plants and animals alike. It is posted in too few places that dogs need to be on leashes and there is going to be a movement soon to put up more signs because of their rampant destruction.
But anyways after surfing parked myself on the beach and just observed how people were using the beach. A lot of people just sat down like myself and watched surfers, waves, or whatever. A lot of people also walked up and down the shore going "oh the tide is gone im going to walk out as far as i can.... oh no the waves are coming back in but i dont want my sandals to get wet!" as they scrurry back up the beach. Lots of people also play rugby or kick the ball back and forth. I thought to myself about frisbee and then realized beach winds probably prevent any game of frisbee from even starting. Then I turned around to my surprise to see what was going on in the dunes.
Now the dunes are in a precarious position. They are vital to Piha as they protect the entire village from ocean waves and flooding, but they also in between the parking lots and the beach.... hence the problem is desire lines! The dread of all Landscape Architects. Its something that can be included into a design however there is no way one can predict all the lines... other then a plaza or a giant concrete slab. You can design measures to control it but its nearly impossible to stop all cases of people not using desinated pathways..... ok back on track (pun not intended ha) The dunes are already a very fragile system and people are tramping all over them. People putting chairs and umbrellas to sit atop the dune, children running around stomping on plants and kicking sand around, and dogs... dogs are the worst, digging and rolling around on the frail plants, chasing nesting birds and using the area as a bathroom. I think that even with visiting peoples general lack of respect for the beaches and dunes that dogs are by far the worst thing that has happened to Piha.
People let their dogs run around without leashes and they have just been devastating to both plants and animals alike. It is posted in too few places that dogs need to be on leashes and there is going to be a movement soon to put up more signs because of their rampant destruction.
September 20
Learned about surf culture, ocean landscapes, and first day of surfing
Today was all about surfing. period . I want to learn how to surf... scratch that... i NEED to learn how to surf. I've found that a big part of my project is going to revolve around the water and who comes to the water from all over... surfers. So today was about figuring out whats so great about surfing, what makes surfing good or bad.... and then eventually getting out there and trying it.. eek
So the surf culture, In the first few days here I listen in on some conversations between surfers... no clue what they are talking about. Its like listening to surfers from California.. yah.. totally.. rode the rip to hit a gnarly right hand and tubed that beast..... what? So I have been checking out magazines to try to decipher this language of theirs and I am no scholar in dicatation but some things are starting to make sense. I think the important part is to figure out first what all of the terms for waves are. I learn about rips and swells, tubes and right/left handed waves, long vs short boards.
I also learn about the landscape underneath the waves, these are actually one of the most important factor to being a good surf spot vs a bad one. Temperature, sun/shade, rocks and obstacles, views, and much of the things that landscape architects think about for a successful site is not too important. The most important thing is the nature of the landscape, the topography of the sand or coral or rock, the surrounding landscape, the trenches and swales, these are what makes the surf... surfable. This is going to be a case study for sure as I want to diagram directions of surf, sand, and the surfers. It is all a really neat orchestra of things moving around to make a neat experience.
Speaking of that my first experience surfing... how it goes is: Sure lets go surfing im up for it..... inside my head goes like this: oh my god oh my god i dont know why my mouth is saying this i dont know what im doing!... So I put on a wet suit... The wet suit however is old and pretty much broken. The zipper in the back doesnt work and the legs are so tight even though they are ripped at the back of the knee to my ankle. But it covers up my unsightly pastey body so it does its job. We get there and Tom and Geoff go off the the side and he tells me to have at it.... ALRIGHT! haha omg Im going to be dead in the next half hour. So I grab the board and walk out into the water and give things a try. Was not bad I wasnt able to stand up on the board but i got a good feel for it and the waves. All in all I enjoyed my first time surfing and will definetly try some more till I get the hang of it.
Today was all about surfing. period . I want to learn how to surf... scratch that... i NEED to learn how to surf. I've found that a big part of my project is going to revolve around the water and who comes to the water from all over... surfers. So today was about figuring out whats so great about surfing, what makes surfing good or bad.... and then eventually getting out there and trying it.. eek
So the surf culture, In the first few days here I listen in on some conversations between surfers... no clue what they are talking about. Its like listening to surfers from California.. yah.. totally.. rode the rip to hit a gnarly right hand and tubed that beast..... what? So I have been checking out magazines to try to decipher this language of theirs and I am no scholar in dicatation but some things are starting to make sense. I think the important part is to figure out first what all of the terms for waves are. I learn about rips and swells, tubes and right/left handed waves, long vs short boards.
I also learn about the landscape underneath the waves, these are actually one of the most important factor to being a good surf spot vs a bad one. Temperature, sun/shade, rocks and obstacles, views, and much of the things that landscape architects think about for a successful site is not too important. The most important thing is the nature of the landscape, the topography of the sand or coral or rock, the surrounding landscape, the trenches and swales, these are what makes the surf... surfable. This is going to be a case study for sure as I want to diagram directions of surf, sand, and the surfers. It is all a really neat orchestra of things moving around to make a neat experience.
Speaking of that my first experience surfing... how it goes is: Sure lets go surfing im up for it..... inside my head goes like this: oh my god oh my god i dont know why my mouth is saying this i dont know what im doing!... So I put on a wet suit... The wet suit however is old and pretty much broken. The zipper in the back doesnt work and the legs are so tight even though they are ripped at the back of the knee to my ankle. But it covers up my unsightly pastey body so it does its job. We get there and Tom and Geoff go off the the side and he tells me to have at it.... ALRIGHT! haha omg Im going to be dead in the next half hour. So I grab the board and walk out into the water and give things a try. Was not bad I wasnt able to stand up on the board but i got a good feel for it and the waves. All in all I enjoyed my first time surfing and will definetly try some more till I get the hang of it.
September 19
Decided to walk into South Piha for today, instead of taking my normal route down the north side road I went down the other road. Currently the bridge that goes to the south side is closed off for some maintenance so it makes it a little more difficult to reach via walking. But I decided to anyways because im stubborn enough to. Walking down this way I found all of the Native Plant Restoration signs. These areas looked like they were torn up first and then replanted with native grasses and shrubs. I couldnt figure out what kind of plants they were quite yet but hopefully I will get a grasp on them...hopefully.
Anyways walked down the restoration area I will have to check the information back at Geoffs to really get a handle on what they did, what it looked like and what the overall idea is as well as maintenance. So I get down to the beach area first thing I notice ....landscape architect inside of me groans... stormwater inlets that are not only clogged but the water is sitting stagnant on top. ugh. I wonder what kind of problems they have with sand blocking pipes and other utilities.
I continue on towards the "Gap" I've been told it is an area where massive ocean waves come in and try to squeeze through a narrowed area of rock causing the real life equivalent of the scene in Fantasia where Mickey summons the waves to crash. Very very cool spot. The trail system is pretty warn but it looks like their is going to be an attempt to fix this as their are new boards placed along the stairs. Their are definetly some issues that would arrive back in the US, including no possible ADA accessibility. There are spots where you have to crouch and lean over the railing to avoid scrapping your bag on the rocks as well as ducking under a tree that has overgrown the pathway. One interesting thing to note is the plants that are along much of the trail are thorny yellow bushes, got myself with them a couple times... maybe long pants next time.
Anyways walked down the restoration area I will have to check the information back at Geoffs to really get a handle on what they did, what it looked like and what the overall idea is as well as maintenance. So I get down to the beach area first thing I notice ....landscape architect inside of me groans... stormwater inlets that are not only clogged but the water is sitting stagnant on top. ugh. I wonder what kind of problems they have with sand blocking pipes and other utilities.
I continue on towards the "Gap" I've been told it is an area where massive ocean waves come in and try to squeeze through a narrowed area of rock causing the real life equivalent of the scene in Fantasia where Mickey summons the waves to crash. Very very cool spot. The trail system is pretty warn but it looks like their is going to be an attempt to fix this as their are new boards placed along the stairs. Their are definetly some issues that would arrive back in the US, including no possible ADA accessibility. There are spots where you have to crouch and lean over the railing to avoid scrapping your bag on the rocks as well as ducking under a tree that has overgrown the pathway. One interesting thing to note is the plants that are along much of the trail are thorny yellow bushes, got myself with them a couple times... maybe long pants next time.
September 18
Piha Library, although small has an enormous amount of information that is crucial to my study. I introduced myself to the librarian Gabrielle. Quite a nice lady, has been to California too. There is such a wealth of information here that it is going to be very difficult to narrow things down and find exactly what I need. There are a lot of papers done by the Regional Council but they are the normal DEC type papers that are mindless boring stuff built on a format with only little information changing. Oh well, I think I will just have to do a lot of reading in the library rather then take out tons of books and papers.
Excellent find though. Project is really on its way now!
Excellent find though. Project is really on its way now!
September 17
Today is much better, nice and sunny mixed with short sprinkles. I thought today would be as good a time as any to check out all of the signs in Piha. I simply walked around taking photos of all the signs, street signs, business signs, road signs, ads, warnings, informational signs, plaques, monuments, descriptions, everything. These are all pretty valuable and give me a little insight as to who comes here most (tourist or local oriented signs), ideas of the values of society (Dont drink drive, neighborhood watch, graphitti). The most important ones for me and my project today was the informational surfboard signs. Implemented by the Regional Council for Tourism. The boards were designed and created by someone with obviously thought on who is reading it what to teach them and where the information needs to be placed. Seems to be working well as they are highly visible as well as giving good information (Locations/beach ettiquete) and educational information (History/wildlife) May have to do a case study on signage
September 16
Yesterday was great, weather was amazing, things were near perfect. Early in the morning however it begins pouring once again and does not relent. I figured today may be a good day to check out the watershed and flood areas as it is coming down like a beast. Didnt learn much from the experience as I didnt have a reliable topo map but found all of the water collection containers under the house as well as got to see the stream in the bank fill up quite a bit.
September 15
Ugh wake up to some girl walking into my room, i ask what time it is..10... great so pack all my stuff brush my teeth checkout and out the door. Walk down Queen St looking like a hobo still and goto the Britomart aka Grand Central Station. The building itself was strange. Looks like a very normal building quite high ceilings. Went inside and their are little kiosks everywhere, trains, buses, ferrys....trains... . . . ok so there are 3 kiosks to get tickets. I grab my ticket head down the stairs and entered what looked VERY much like the hanger they keep the alien spaceship in Independence Day with Will Smith (Fantastic movie... first movie i went to sitting next to a black lady... "Dont u go in there Will...I TOLD U") So I wait a bit and hop onto my train.. holy buckets of holy water! scary scary train rocks and creeks back and forth... but was nice cuz it only cost 4.50 to get to Glen Eden Station.
Side Note: They say four dollars fifty... instead of four dollars AND fifty CENTS
So i wait outside the station for Geoff and of course he drives like a maniac at me slams on the breaks skids and goes "oui Mike, hop in" Hop in like your being chased by cops or hop in like get in and lets ride? Weird sense of humor here but its a free ride. We head to the grocery store again for my second time. Little more comfortable looking around knowing not to expect to see Cambells or Wonderbread I have a slightly better eye now. So i get my usual, apples, bananas, bread, beans, crackers. (its like i shop with only 3 letters abc) I also get beef sausage (mistake). I look at the other meats and think YAH good idea but then noo dont know how to prepare that. so beans and bread is ok with me.
So we head out of the grocery store, Geoff rides the cart down a ramp cuts off an old couple around the corner and keeps rolling. The little old guy hops onto his cart in attempt to catch him but then stops. His wife looks at him and giggles then looks to me and says "Boys will be boys"
So off to Piha and ends a nice day
Side Note: They say four dollars fifty... instead of four dollars AND fifty CENTS
So i wait outside the station for Geoff and of course he drives like a maniac at me slams on the breaks skids and goes "oui Mike, hop in" Hop in like your being chased by cops or hop in like get in and lets ride? Weird sense of humor here but its a free ride. We head to the grocery store again for my second time. Little more comfortable looking around knowing not to expect to see Cambells or Wonderbread I have a slightly better eye now. So i get my usual, apples, bananas, bread, beans, crackers. (its like i shop with only 3 letters abc) I also get beef sausage (mistake). I look at the other meats and think YAH good idea but then noo dont know how to prepare that. so beans and bread is ok with me.
So we head out of the grocery store, Geoff rides the cart down a ramp cuts off an old couple around the corner and keeps rolling. The little old guy hops onto his cart in attempt to catch him but then stops. His wife looks at him and giggles then looks to me and says "Boys will be boys"
So off to Piha and ends a nice day
September 14
Driving back to Auckland today so i can call Geoff and schedule to get picked up. On the way home decided should stop at Mount Eden a focal point for the city of Auckland. Was neat, nice view, oddly enough it was mowed.. by cows... a national symbol of Auckland and there are cow pies all over the place..wtf?
Head to the backpacker got a private room with 4 beds to choose from! Fantastic! Except that next door were a pack of nueget filled German nuts playing techno music all night long.. another WTF!
Head to the backpacker got a private room with 4 beds to choose from! Fantastic! Except that next door were a pack of nueget filled German nuts playing techno music all night long.. another WTF!
September 13
Went to town of Waitomo today to see some caves. UNDERGROUND CAVES!.... underground caves with GLOWWORMS... (much cooler sounding then they actually are)
So planned out 2 caves for today, first glowworms and then Ruakuri cave. Glowworms, commentator guy was amazing. He was like one of the guys on an animal planet special talking about something boring but the inflections in his voice make it amazing! So walk walk walk abit see a big cathedral cave where orchestras come to record. Many stalagtites all look like penises and I giggle profusely. We hop into a big canoe and round the corner. Looks like a bunch of LEDs to me on the ceiling but he assures me they are glowworms. I ask to take a picture he says no. So I quietly take a video instead... unfortunatly with no REAL light other then bioluminesence aka LEDs there is nothing on the video but sound of a canoe. So its pitch black and a bunch of LEDS and a canoe... waste of money... NEXT CAVE
Ruakuri Cave now this one seems way cooler. Named for the wild dogs that used to live in it which were later killed so there could be CAVE TOURS! On the way down a giant spiral staircase the tour guide asks where im from, my name, my zip code, my social security number, if im susceptible to any diseases... i say im "Mike from NY" She then asks why Im in NZ. I say "Studying ecotourism" She says she did stuff with eco-tourism and will give me her email address... awesome!
Anyways back to the cave. Was very neat, impossibile to get good pictures so I eventually gave up. Lots of neat features and bottomless pits. Would be a perfect place if I finally get my Evil Genius degree for a secret hideout. Got a picture of me and ecotourist tour guide normal pose then crazy pose. She and I both threw up the rock fists at the same time great minds do think alike! Ecotourism, ridiculous humor/sarcasm, and rockfisting... sweet
Also fun fact of the day, first time i ate lamb in the country in a traditional MEAT PIE! Organic lamb pie with mushy peas... fancy restaurant and it actually says mushy peas.. strange. It seems all restuarants are really into the presentation of food. Everything was fancy eating like Pascales but the food was normal... like Dennys. Even Dennys was fancy. very strange
So planned out 2 caves for today, first glowworms and then Ruakuri cave. Glowworms, commentator guy was amazing. He was like one of the guys on an animal planet special talking about something boring but the inflections in his voice make it amazing! So walk walk walk abit see a big cathedral cave where orchestras come to record. Many stalagtites all look like penises and I giggle profusely. We hop into a big canoe and round the corner. Looks like a bunch of LEDs to me on the ceiling but he assures me they are glowworms. I ask to take a picture he says no. So I quietly take a video instead... unfortunatly with no REAL light other then bioluminesence aka LEDs there is nothing on the video but sound of a canoe. So its pitch black and a bunch of LEDS and a canoe... waste of money... NEXT CAVE
Ruakuri Cave now this one seems way cooler. Named for the wild dogs that used to live in it which were later killed so there could be CAVE TOURS! On the way down a giant spiral staircase the tour guide asks where im from, my name, my zip code, my social security number, if im susceptible to any diseases... i say im "Mike from NY" She then asks why Im in NZ. I say "Studying ecotourism" She says she did stuff with eco-tourism and will give me her email address... awesome!
Anyways back to the cave. Was very neat, impossibile to get good pictures so I eventually gave up. Lots of neat features and bottomless pits. Would be a perfect place if I finally get my Evil Genius degree for a secret hideout. Got a picture of me and ecotourist tour guide normal pose then crazy pose. She and I both threw up the rock fists at the same time great minds do think alike! Ecotourism, ridiculous humor/sarcasm, and rockfisting... sweet
Also fun fact of the day, first time i ate lamb in the country in a traditional MEAT PIE! Organic lamb pie with mushy peas... fancy restaurant and it actually says mushy peas.. strange. It seems all restuarants are really into the presentation of food. Everything was fancy eating like Pascales but the food was normal... like Dennys. Even Dennys was fancy. very strange
September 12
Today is another big milestone, traveling the farthest out from the city to Rotorua. Quite scary being on the wrong side of the road for 3 hours but finally arrive. The entire place smells of rotten eggs, sulpher yuck. I ask one of the ladies "Do you get used to the smell? She replies "What smell?" I see how it is, very funny. I push her into the boiling hot waters below.... in my mind... The place was pretty cool, lots of stinky gas, lots of bubbling, spewing, errupting, gurgling things. The geologist in me is having a nervous breakdown as he wants to start naming all of the reasons why rocks are odd colors... Ooo iron oxides mixing with sulphric acid pretty! Also got the chance to swim around in a pool... geothermally heated pool. Was like a giant bath tub. It was actually steaming. Tonight was also the first night I noticed something in the sky. Being away from the city a bit you can see stars.... stars that I have never glanced upon before. AND the coolest part was seeing Scorpio for the first time. The Scorpio constellation has been over my bed since I was little and seeing it for the first time was really quite special for me. Going to sleep and then caves tomorrow!
September 11
Today, not feeling so grand, more likely to sit down relax and catch up on school work... aka sketchbook. Also today went out and shopped a bit on Queen Street. Oddly enough cotton boxer are rarer then plutonium as every store I walk into has silk boxers or tight whiteys. I refuse to buy either. Finally walk into an Armani store while looking like a bum with ripped jeans, beard, and a backpack filled with dirty clothes find a paid of cotton boxer shorts. I buy them and mention my difficulties to the cashier, he agrees that they are not all that big in NZ... thanks for the help. I leave with underwear in hand and check the price of other Armani clothes... $450 for a paid of jeans.... why?
September 10
Today went out to Parnell, apparently the swanky neighborhood with good shopping and cafes.... well dissappointed in that it seems a better idea to cut across Auckland Domain past the museum, past the university, past Queen street, and proceed directly to Mexi-Cali... They obviously put crack in their food because im addicted to it now. I eat I sleep I dream Mexi-Cali
September 9
So my wounds seem to have vanished overnight... may be the magic potions I have been taking every morning (V8 original). Today I get a ride from Geoff who has to fix his truck on the North Shore. So we drive out to the North Shore and goto the mechanics. We drive back with Tom and go into the city apparently there is a skatepark in Victoria Park that Tom wants to see. cool. They drop me off at the Skytower and tell me they can get me on Sunday... hmm long time but i can manage
So I get my fill of tacos and apparently the only spicy venue in all of NZ. Jalapeno ooo! ooooo its sOOOOooooo SPICY.... about as spicy as a loaf of bread... I would literally kill someone just to see if blood tastes spicy or flavorful. It is nice however that the owners of MexiCali are from California and are very easy to understand. To kill some more time before the concert I walk 20 meters...
Onto the Disturbed concert! AWESOME simply awesome. Redline (nz band), Alterbridge (Creed minus lead singer), P.O.D., and then Disturbed. Redline was okay.. said the "C" word a lot and swore AT me which was unnnessary. Their online music was good... live... not so much. Alterbridge was good too, even if they didnt play any of their good songs and chose to play more of moshpit songs.... on that note strict rules for No moshing and No crowd surfing... wondering how long that will last at this concert... or in a month with Slipknot >:P POD was pretty good, very neat to hear youth of the nation sung by the crowd and here come the "BOOM" says the crowd. Disturbed started out with David Draiman coming out on a dolly in a straight jacket... crowd goes wild. He is much shorter then I realized. In one of the old videos of Disturbed (down with the sickness) he is wearing tight black leather pants and is always all crotch out in the open, leg up on a speaker screaming to the fans.... that is apparently his "move" as he crowd humps every speaker available and then some. His normal speaking voice is actually really cool, i could totally hear him as a radio DJ.. welcome back Seattle...oooo ahahahah... and now the weather
Awesome show, totally worth it and great seats. Was worried about the mosh pit area so got seats instead, even if the pit was as rowdy as a Neil Diamond concert. Walking back home everyone in their cars are playing Disturbed....you mutha get up... 10,000 fists in the...liberate your mind... neato... also on the way back some yutz is firing his gun out the window. Nobody else seems to worry about it. Needless to say I am uncomfortable. Would be an equivalent of someone shooting a gun in armory square on a saturday night and the general consensus being... meh
So I get my fill of tacos and apparently the only spicy venue in all of NZ. Jalapeno ooo! ooooo its sOOOOooooo SPICY.... about as spicy as a loaf of bread... I would literally kill someone just to see if blood tastes spicy or flavorful. It is nice however that the owners of MexiCali are from California and are very easy to understand. To kill some more time before the concert I walk 20 meters...
Onto the Disturbed concert! AWESOME simply awesome. Redline (nz band), Alterbridge (Creed minus lead singer), P.O.D., and then Disturbed. Redline was okay.. said the "C" word a lot and swore AT me which was unnnessary. Their online music was good... live... not so much. Alterbridge was good too, even if they didnt play any of their good songs and chose to play more of moshpit songs.... on that note strict rules for No moshing and No crowd surfing... wondering how long that will last at this concert... or in a month with Slipknot >:P POD was pretty good, very neat to hear youth of the nation sung by the crowd and here come the "BOOM" says the crowd. Disturbed started out with David Draiman coming out on a dolly in a straight jacket... crowd goes wild. He is much shorter then I realized. In one of the old videos of Disturbed (down with the sickness) he is wearing tight black leather pants and is always all crotch out in the open, leg up on a speaker screaming to the fans.... that is apparently his "move" as he crowd humps every speaker available and then some. His normal speaking voice is actually really cool, i could totally hear him as a radio DJ.. welcome back Seattle...oooo ahahahah... and now the weather
Awesome show, totally worth it and great seats. Was worried about the mosh pit area so got seats instead, even if the pit was as rowdy as a Neil Diamond concert. Walking back home everyone in their cars are playing Disturbed....you mutha get up... 10,000 fists in the...liberate your mind... neato... also on the way back some yutz is firing his gun out the window. Nobody else seems to worry about it. Needless to say I am uncomfortable. Would be an equivalent of someone shooting a gun in armory square on a saturday night and the general consensus being... meh
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