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HawaiiSeptember2016
  • Margaret Gooch
  • Margaret Gooch

HawaiiSeptember2016

A 25-day adventure by Margaret Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 28, 2016
  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Polynesian Cultural Center

    September 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    I had an easy 10 hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu, arriving in the late afternoon - perfect for adjusting to the time difference (20 hours behind EST).
    My first full day in Hawaii was a day of immersion at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
    The tour bus stopped on the way so we could buy food from road-side stalls.

    It was quite blustery - not surprising as there were 2 cyclones back to back heading for Hawaii!! Luckily they avoided us, doing little damage and bringing some welcome rain.    Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch
    1

    IUCN Congress

    September 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Lovely first day of the congress. Lots of great speakers and workshops, as well as some stunning art work in the convention centre. I only got to see Jane Goodall and Obama in photos! Was hoping to see them for real. There were rumours that Obama would open the Congress, but he chose to go to Papahanamokuea Marine Reserve instead. My colleague from the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service said he was amazing- low key, wearing board shorts and joking with everyone, but determined to out-swim everyone, nevertheless.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Ecosystem services

    September 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Went to a great session on ecosystem services by the IUCN. Learnt heaps and hope to include the GBR as a case study in their next phase of work, with a particular focus on Blue Carbon.

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Brush with fame

    September 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Well I didnt get to see President Obama or Jane Goodall or EO Wilson, but I did get to meet Bianca Jagger! Hysterical really, she was sitting near me in a session so of course I
    introduced myself!

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Story time, Kava time

    September 5, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    I was asked to cofacilitate a discussion in a knowledge cafe where we sat on a mat and drank Kava while sharing stories of "ocean as heritage". Very interesting experience, as I'd never had Kava before. It's not at all like alcohol, and is really not very tasty, but certainly calming!Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Big Oceans meeting

    September 6, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    So grateful to have such wonderful work colleagues who made a big effort for me to represent GBRMPA at the Big Oceans meeting today. Am looking forward to the meeting and the celebrations after!!

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    De-brief

    September 6, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Had a great de- brief about the Congress at the Big Oceans meeting. Already planning fot the next one in September next year in Chile to coincide with IMPAC.
    Met lots of interesting people and caught up with others. The best part for me was connecting with people who are happy to share their traditional knowledge, chants and songs, complete with hula- hand movements to tell the stories passes from one generation to the next.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Waikiki

    September 7, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    My snorkelling tour was cancelled, as i was the only one registered, so spent the day discovering Waikiki.
    In the evening I caught up with my fabulous boss, Josh, and we shared stories of the day. While I swanned around the streets and beaches, Josh was in high level discussions on behalf of the Australian government on a range of critically important conservation issues. And she had to work from7am til 10pm several days in a row!!Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Last day on Oahu-for a week or so!

    September 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Had a fabulous last day in Oahu, travelling up the east coast of the island with Congress colleagues to learn more about the island and its people. The first stop was Shark Cove, where we met Jenny from Malama Pupukea-Waimea, an NGO that raises awareness and actively manages the area.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Sacred place of sacrifice

    September 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Our tour of the North Shore took us to a place seldom visited by tourists, as it is a cultural icon. We weaved our way to the top of a mountain overlooking Waimea Bay, a place called Pua O Mahuka Heiau, which means 'hill of escape'. It includes a large, ancient Hawaiian heiau (religious temple site) dating back to the 1600s. Outside of the temple site sits a large boulder where humans were sacrificed to the gods. The boulder and all of the rocks making up the boundary of the heiau were carted up the mountain by slaves. These were the very first people to colonise the island, and were later ruled over by the polynesians who arrived from Tahiti in the 1100s. The slaves and a few unfortunate European explorers were thought to be some of the people sacrificed here.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Still on tour in Oahu

    September 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The third stop was at a place called Kahuku Point, the most northerly part of Oahu. Here we learned about the fantastic conservation by locals to control rampant development in the area, and their efforts at land restoration and removal of marine debris from the beach. On the beach we saw plastic from around the world, in all sizes, shapes and colours, brought to this part of the island by powerful currents. There were several Japanese plastic washing baskets in the litter, believed to be from the Fukushima nuclear disaster area.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Big Eddie's beach

    September 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The final part of this great trip was a swim, sunset drinks and dinner at Waimea Beach, famous for the Big Eddie surf competition each winter. So hard to believe its the same place that I have seen so many times on tele, as there was less surf than Townsville's Strand. The contrast between winter and summer waves is staggering! 😳
    Sunset was perfect, no clouds around the sun, and I even saw the mythical green flash, as the last part of the sun - glowing bright orange- dipped below the horizon. Didn't take a pic, I was too mesmerised.    Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    King Kam

    September 11, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    In the lobby of the resort is a fabulous museum that tells the story of King Kam and other famous Hawaiians. Lots to learn 😳and the resort has a fabulous pool side bar. I chose an interesting version of a margarita- a blend of tequila, cointreau, orange and lime juices 🍹Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Disappointment

    September 11, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Sadly, my trip to the top of a mountain, Mauna Kea, planned for this evening to view stars from a world famous observatory, was cancelled due to poor weather and low visibility. It rained a bit last night- I got drenched during the manta viewing but we were already wet. I think they are expecting similar weather tonight.
    But I can looke forward to a hugh day tomorrow, beginning at sunrise and going well into evening. I'm booked on a tour called Big Island In One Day.
    Should be another fabulous day.    Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Atlantis Submarine

    September 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    I went on a proper submarine this morning, after a beautiful yoga session by the ocean. Interesting experience. Coral cover and marine life was disappointing, but the experience itself was fun.

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    More museum

    September 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    I spent more time in the hotel lobby this morning, learning about King Kam, his culture, people and descendents. The stories are beautifully captured by a talented local artist.

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    True bucket list experience

    September 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Last night I went on a 'bucket list' swim with manta rays - one of the most sensational experiences of a lifetime. I have dived in the presence of the majestic animals years ago, but I have never witnessed anything like this before. Boats gathered offshore at a place where phytoplankton congregate which is the manta's staple food. Each boat places a small pontoon/platform in the water, which has eerie bluelights to attract the phytoplankton. This in turn, attracts the mantas. All we had to do was hang on to the platform, and the mantas came somersaulting around us, exposing their huge mouths within inches of our faces, as they scooped up their dinner. We had several mantas doing this- up to three at a time for over thirty minutes. It was mesmerising!
    Thanks for the tip Rachel (Dr Pear) - I was inspired after seeing Russell's video footage on fb.Unfortunately, all I managed to do was get a couple of poor shots of boats with my phone-sigh- 😳.
    I did find a couple of great shots on line however. The photos capture some of the grace and majesty of these gentle giants. 💫    Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii

    September 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Had a great day touring the whole island of Hawaii, located in the county of Hawaii, in the state of Hawaii. Saw lava splashing in the caldera of Kilauea Volcano, walked through a short lava tube, and saw some spectacular waterfalls. Another bucket list day for me, as I have always wanted to see lava! Unfortunately my phone battery was flat, so didnt take photos, but my guide took a picture of me at the entrance to the lava tube.Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Lava Lava Lava

    September 14, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Had another great day exploring the southern part of Hawaii from Hilo, the largest town on the island. Apparently it rains everyday here and yesterday was no exception. There were flash floods, blinding rain and plenty of thunder and lightning. So much lava, flowing and hardened - apparently there are thousands of lava tubes around here. Half the town of Hilo is built on top of them, and occasionally they collapse 😳Read more

  • Margaret GoochHawaiiSeptember2016Margaret Gooch

    Ring of fire

    September 15, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Well I almost didn't go on the boat trip of a life time as I thought it was over-priced. But how glad I am that I went! Even the crew were awe-struck! As we neared the voluminous smoke and gasses billowing out from the cliffs into the sea, we were blasted with the sounds of"Ring of Fire"! Mirth erupted from the passengers. Rounding the corner of the cliff we were literally blown away by the rivers of lava streaming into the ocean, causing a cauldron of steamy bubbles. We got so close you could feel the heat, smell the sulphur and hear popping and cracking of the earth as the lava approached.Read more

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