Volunteer Work on Some's Island

Today the program I came with hosted a volunteer event where we took a ferry across the bay to Some's Island (A very tiny Island) to help the woman who pretty much ran the entire island.

Our journey started with the ferry in Wellington harbour.

....Don't worry this wasn't it. Just a cool looking old boat.

Anyways, these are some pretty cool views of the Wellington coastline:

This picture is not in black and white. It's just that cool.

So we get to this little island and we have to do a special shoe scrape and bag search because there are NO rodents, spiders, and barely any species of insects on this island. Sounds like paradise, right?

EXCEPT FOR SOME REASON THEY LET THESE CREEPY GUYS STAY!!!!!!!

This is also apparently a baby.  Adults are twice this size.  These creatures are actually the reason they got rid of all the rodents on the island.  Apparently the rodents eat them, and they are an insect completely unique to New Zealand and you can't find it anywhere else in the world.  You get props for that creepy guy, but still. We were also told if we were really lucky, we would maybe see some little blue penguins.  This got everyone REALLLLY excited, however we were told it's pretty rare to see them around this time.  I was really determined because penguins are Connor's favorite animal and I really wanted to take a picture of one in the wild for him.

Anyway, after we arrived on this beautiful island we got right to work! There is a cemetery here, and since this island is sacred Maori land, you would think Maori people would be able to come and visit the cemetery.  But they actually believe that after visiting a cemetery, they need to wash with water or else bad fortune will befall them.  However, there was no water source.  So a pipe was dug under ground to give a water supply.  Our job was to fill the trench where the pipe ran through.

To the left is the now filled in trench.

Our next job was to help trim the path that runs through the island. These were our weapon's.

My friend Colleen cutting down trees to later feed to sheep.

 Little lambs!!

Just me looking awkward with a tree and some sheep

And trust me...these sheep REALLY liked the trees.

hahahhaa.

So we were almost done with our trip and still didn't see any blue penguins.  So, I took a picture of their poop because it was the closest thing to them I guess.  Here Connor! You're welcome!!

Speaking of animals, the most interesting part about this strange little island is the animal quarantine biosecurity lab.  It has shut down recently, as most quarantines happen in the country the animals are being imported from.  Anyway, for many many years this was the place every animal would go before entering NZ (they have very strict quarantine regulations).  It was a very creepy place.  It felt like a concentration camp for animals but we were assured it was more like a 5-star hotel.

This is where once upon a time  around 600 cows, alpacas, sheep, etc were sterilized.

And THIS is where they sterilized their pee!

So the day flew by and ended with a ferry back to Wellington.  While we were waiting I stole some pretty shells even though nothing is supposed to leave the island (shhhh).  After a long day, we were all sitting by the shore and relaxing when all of a sudden.....one of the guys from the group spotted a penguin! Man, nothing makes people sprint faster than a penguin sighting I swear, because we all booked it along the shore to where this poor little guy had to deal with us gawking and freakin' out.

 "Yes, I'm cute. I'm awesome. I'm the best part of your day. Now go away."

Even though he was in his little nest and could only see half of him, and he looks like he could kill us all, he is still the cutest! Are you jealous now Connor?

Well, that was my volunteer day at Some's Island!

More impressively, I actually wrote this blog post on the day it happened for once!! (Or less impressively, it's just a side effect of me not wanting to do school work).

Spring break is coming up after this week, so stay tuned for some really awesome posts.  Skydiving is first on the list of spring break activities!