Ending

I took this photo while walking through on of the city parks in Rotorua. After a long day of various activities Rob and I decided to chill at the free hot springs that are fed directly from the geothermal springs all around the park (notice the steam in the background). It was a great end to a long day and I enjoyed trying to capture silhouettes of various objects in the park. This is my favorite image from that little experiment because I also got the steam in the background as well as the clouds lit up from the sun. The hot pools at the park used to be called Lobster Pools because pale people came out of the water bright red (because the water is so hot)... needless to say, after putting my legs in I completely understand where the name came from.

"Things Are Rough All Over" - a simple yet poignant blogpost.
new photos on Facebook.

Birds (Not The Movie)

So, in between Wai-o-Tapu and rolling down a hill in a plastic ball (aka Zorbing), we had lunch at a cafe and strolled along the shore of Lake Rotorua. There were tons of people chilling and eating food.... which meant there were a ton of birds hoping to steal some of it. I heard a high pitched squeaking noise behind me and turned around to snap this photo before the train plowed through the birds (no feathers were ruffled). I think this photo represents the atmosphere of that afternoon well - just playful, no worries (well... except for maybe the seagulls, but they were getting fed by small children, so I think they were fine after this...).

New photos posted on Facebook (mainly photos of my group and random tramps).
Check this story of an amazing woman: Lubna Hussein

Watch Your Step

So, I am posting today's photo way late, but I decided that since 99.37% of the people who check this blog are in the states, it didn't really matter (it's still tomorrow for y'all). Anyway, I took this photo at the Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland (I didn't make up the wonderland part, I promise). It was really cool. Not nearly as large as Yellowstone but it had it's own wonders to offer. It was crazy to see huge trees growing within inches of over 100 degree (celcius) water. Also, New Zealand is not like the States... you could get as close as you wanted (though there were a few warning signs), but we decided to maintain a good distance - no need to risk my life before I've gotten a chance to skydive and bungy jump (I had to mom). I was also amazed at the steam coming from every part of the ground, even on the drive to and from the park we passed farm land that had geothermal activity just right off the side of the road... it was crazy (one of the free city parks also had numrous geothermal pools... most of which you could try for yourself). It was a really fun day and I really enjoyed learning about the formation of it all in comparison to Yellowstone and learning about the impact of the eruption of Mt Tarawera. However, I will say that the smell of sulphur has stayed with me far too long...


Also, good news for Greenville: http://upstatefilms.wordpress.com
& way to go CC: HuffingtonPost (Top Greenest Colleges)

Tribute Video for Iran Protesters (great song and inpiring images): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo3-paRB2No
& videos from the Global Day of Action (July 25th): http://united4iran.org
Things are changing, keep watching: Huffington Post

Open Window

As I went through my photos from this weekend, I could not decide what type of image I wanted to post today. I tend to just look at the thumbnails and pick one that seems to interest me at that point in time. However, I had not been through my photos from this weekend yet and there were many that I wanted to share. In the end I decided to go with this photo for today. I took this on the drive from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves. We left pretty early in the morning, so fog was still hugging the mountains and frost was clinging to the ground. It was a beautiful drive and beautiful weather. My mom knows this most of all, but I always have to have my camera ready... especially on car rides. If I can't get the shot through the car window, I'll make the driver stop. If I'm the driver, I'll stop. If you want it, you have to get it. That's my motto for photography and for life, and I'm making sure I remember it everyday while in New Zealand because I really don't want to miss out on anything (I even had my first Swing Dancing lesson tonight... what?).


“ Nothing happens when you sit at home. I always make it a point to carry a camera with me at all times…I just shoot at what interests me at that moment. – Elliott Erwitt (taken from DPS).

Geothermals Are Cool

This weekend I went to Rotorua with a friend from my IFSA Butler group, Rob. It was a bit more pricey and touristy than I tend to like, but it was definitely worth the visit. We got to chill at hot pools, see a bird sanctuary (including active Kiwis birds!), a geothermal park, a Maori buried village (from a volcanic eruption), Zorb, and a few other things that are slipping my mind right now. I'd say it was a well spent weekend. I took the photo above at one of the hot mud pools we saw... I mean, who could really say no to boiling mud? More on my weekend in the posts to come!

Beautiful Day

I promise I have been to more places than Devonport, but it was just beautiful the day that I have to keep posting photos from it. Next week I'll have some new images from around Auckland and Rotorua.

Chillin'

It's a rainy day here in Auckland, so I thought I'd post an image from a sunnier day. I took this photo while walking on a beach in Devonport (I have already posted a few other pictures from the same day). Once the weather gets warmer, I hope to go there more frequently... it certainly had a better view than my apartment.

National Sport

Today I have posted another photo I took during the All Blacks game. I want to post some photos of Auckland itself, but I haven't been out in the city much with my camera, just in the places around it. Anyway, everywhere I go there are still people talking about how the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies. Despite the fans not being that rowdy during the game, they certainly are spirited afterward.

I went to my first classes yesterday and I really like them so far (I've been to 3 out of 4). I am also getting used to the idea of a four day weekend every week (I don't have classes on Friday or Monday), it leaves so much time to explore.

Felt Around The World

While I was out getting things for the All Blacks game, I ran into Iranian protesters. In case you haven't noticed my many previous posts containing links to information about the post-election protests in Iran, I have been following the situation since the protests began. I was on the way back to my flat when I saw the protesters and once I got back I decided to grab my camera and head back down the hill to talk to them and take photos. I found out that they have been protesting at the same corner (on Queen Street) everyday since the election results came out (weekdays from 4 to 5 and on the weekends from 2 to 5). They were extremely nice and it was one of the best experiences I've had thus far. There message is simple: a government should not kill it's own people and everyone is entitled to be free and have their vote counted. I hope to talk to them again, perhaps even film an interview with them. Who knows.

Links to more information on the situation in Iran: Sidewalk Lyrics, CNN, Huffington Post, NY Times

22-16

I am sorry that I did not post a photo yesterday, but I just did not get around to it. I left pretty early to go on a hike and by the time I got back I was dead tired and just hung out with my roommates. My plan was to post more than one photograph today to make up for the lack of a post yesterday, but ultra slow and weak internet has prevented me from doing so (literally, this is my 11th and last attempt). However, as promised I uploaded a photo of the All Blacks. It was a great game, but the fans were a lot let rowdy that US fans, especially for a national rivalry, so I found that interesting. The All Blacks won though and that's all that matters.

Silver Fern

Tonight I will be attending an All Blacks game, but it's not just any All Blacks, it's an All Blacks vs. Wallabies game (the New Zealand vs. Australia national rugby teams). In honor of that, I decided to post a photo today of a silver fern: the most noticeable of New Zealand's logos and the All Blacks logo. We crossed them everywhere on our hikes in the Coromandel Peninsula, but this one caught our eye because of the sunlight on it. I didn't get as good of a photograph as I would have liked, but I still think it is a pretty cool photo to look at. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a photograph of the All Blacks game itself .


Friday was a momentous occasion in Iran, are you in the know? BBC & Sidewalk Lyrics

Oystercatcher

I took this photograph in Devonport (just like this one and this one). I noticed these black birds mixed in the seagulls as we walked along the beach. They are known as Oystercatchers, I spent some time looking them up and found a site with information about them here. Their bright red eyes definitely caught my attentions and I found them interesting to watch. I guess the seagulls were keeping close to see if they could have some leftovers.

Bay View

I took this photo while exploring Devonport with some friends in the first few days in Auckland. Across the bay is Rangitoto. It is a volcanic island that first appeared about 600 years ago. Imagine what a sight that was for the Maori people. Unfortunately it has been closed since we arrived, but it is due to open this weekend. I am hoping to be first in line to enjoy some of its numerous hikes.


Remember when it was really "trendy" to support Darfur? Guess what: It's still a big deal there. Darfur Five Years On

SkyTower Sky Line

I took this photo the first day we were in Auckland, while at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. It was an amazing museum, but we only had an hour so I will definitely have to go back. We left just as the sun was setting over Auckland (which is about 4:30 to 5:00pm unfortunately). I liked the contrast of the trees with the very modern SkyTower.

Giants

I am back in Auckland after a weekend trip to the Coromandel Peninsula. Even though a storm hounded us for all of Saturday, it was worth the drive. We got to see a part of New Zealand that seemed to be a pure and very lush tropical paradise. The beaches and harbors we saw were also amazing. On our way back, we stopped by a Kauri grove, the Kauri is the largest tree in New Zealand. It is unusual to see these trees anymore because they were logged almost to extinction. I hope you can get a little sense of how big these trees actually are from this photograph.

Old Wood

I am slowly getting used to being in a big city, I know I'll probably love it by the time it is time to leave. Today I took a ferry with three friends to Devonport, an old suburb of Auckland. It was beautiful and I fell in love with all of the houses. We hiked to the top of the two volcanic cones to get amazing views of Auckland and the harbor, later in the afternoon we went to the Royal New Zealand Navy Museum. We also walked along the beach and collected some of the best shells I have ever seen. I took this photo along a rocky section of the beach where a tree had fallen from the hill above. I love the mixing of different elements of nature. I am off to do some more exploring this weekend, so I won't be able to make updates, but please come back next week and I'll begin updating regularly again. Thanks for being patient.

They're still fighting, are you still listening? Thousands Protest...

Made It!

I have made it to Auckland, New Zealand! However, I still don't think I will be able to make regular updates for at least another week. Anyway, we had a wonderful orientation at a regional park north of Auckland for 3 days and yesterday, we arrived in Auckland. I took this image on the back to Auckland after our orientation - I guess you can see why it's called the city of sails.

Celebrate

I don't know if I will be able to post for the next week or so, because I take off today for Auckland. I leave my house at 11:am July 3rd and get to Auckland at 6:25am, July 5th. After I arrive, there will be an orientation and I doubt I'll have internet. Anyway, I just wanted to leave y'all with a photo I took last 4th of July while at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. While I am missing the 4th this year completely, I hope that you have a wonderful day and celebrate all that is good in the US. However, while you're celebrating your freedom, remember those who are still fighting for it.

When you put on your red, white, and blue, remember a splash of green to show your support for the people protesting in Iran.

Against The Grain

Though it's not an amazing photo, I really like the simplicity of this photograph and all of the different textures - rough rock against smooth skin. I took this in Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs a year ago.


While you prepare for celebrations on the 4th, don't forget about those still fighting for their freedom in Iran: Iran Cartoon

Group Hug

I took this hiking back from Delicate Arch right before sunset in Arches National Park (Moab, Utah).

More on Iran: Torture In Iran & Reason to be Suspicious