tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9722760457237126322024-03-21T18:24:33.575-07:00Librarian in New Zealand and New CaledoniaJoe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-22702838874311583112014-09-27T14:29:00.001-07:002014-09-27T14:29:05.059-07:00Probably my last post for this trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Above is the official conference photo. It was the most efficiently taken group photo of any conference I have attended. Usually it is like herding cats to get everyone gathered, and then it takes a long time to get people positioned so everyone's face can be seen.<br />
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If you want to know more about this IAMSLIC conference, you can go to the conference web site at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.iamslic.org/conf2014/" target="_blank">http://www.iamslic.org/conf2014/</a></div>
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Here you will find links to the conference program, a list of attendees, etc.<br />
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Thanks to Kris Anderson, there are also daily summaries of what took place during the conference which can be read on the IAMSLIC blog at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.iamslic.org/blog/" target="_blank">http://www.iamslic.org/blog/</a></div>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-37919569286158637092014-09-26T15:18:00.000-07:002014-09-26T15:18:19.843-07:00Some photos for my birder friendsHere are some birds I saw in New Zealand. Joan, are you going to verify my bird IDs?<br />
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These two photos were taken at Wenderholm Regional Park, my very first stop after arriving in New Zealand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purple swamp hen or Pūkeko<br /><i>Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-breasted Dotterel<br />Charadrius obscurus</td></tr>
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This photo was taken south of Rotorua either at the "Green Lake" Rotokakahi or the "Blue Lake" Tikitapu.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white-faced heron<br /><i>Egretta novaehollandiae</i></td></tr>
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This was taken at the lake in Hobbiton, the movie location built by Peter Jackson.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand dabchick<br /><i>Poliocephalus rufopectus</i></td></tr>
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These photos were taken in a park on the north side of Rotorua Lake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little shags or cormorants<br /><i>Phalacrocorax brevirostris</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">black swan<br /><i>Cygnus atratus</i></td></tr>
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This photo was taken in Long Bay, Coromandel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand oyster catchers<br /><i>Haematopus unicolor</i></td></tr>
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<br />Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-62940668869412733872014-09-25T07:57:00.000-07:002014-09-29T23:13:02.181-07:00Post-snorkel picnic on Maitre IsletAfter three hours of snorkeling, Oli brought us to Maitre Islet, an exclusive resort with over-the-water accommodations that is about 3 nautical miles from Noumea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maitre Islet pier and over-the-water accommodations</td></tr>
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After a delicious picnic lunch of baguette, cheeses, meats, and fresh fruit, Jeanine and Steve settled in for an afternoon nap.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine and Steve enjoying a post-lunch nap</td></tr>
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Kris and I took the time to do a little terrestrial exploring. I managed to walk completely around the island that is 700 meters long and covers about 6 hectares.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beach on the backside of Maitre Islet</td></tr>
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It was worth it because I finally got to see my first and only sea snake as it emerged from the water to slither across the sand right in front of me on its way to curl up in the shade of the dunes vegetation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sea snake crossing the beach<br />
<i>Laticauda saintgironsi</i></td></tr>
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Oli offered to drop us off on the beach right in front of our hotel which gave me the opportunity to get a photo of our place from the water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa del Sole as viewed from the water</td></tr>
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<br />Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-20614027777358260572014-09-24T10:58:00.001-07:002014-09-26T12:49:33.096-07:00Post Conference snorkel tripMany of the conference attendees went on a day trip to Amedee Island. This included a glass bottom boat ride, a barrier reef cruise, drinks, a buffet lunch, and cultural demonstrations including dancing, climbing a coconut tree, and tying a sarong. Snorkeling was an option for an extra fee, but for me I wanted to spend as much time in the water as I could. I tried to find someone to take me out snorkeling for the day, but I was having a hard time finding anyone who was available. Mary-Clare stepped in and save the day. She found Oli who runs the Coconut Watertaxi. I recruited three others to join me - Steve, Kris, and Jeanine. You can check out Oli's services at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.coconuttaxiboat.com/index.php?page=accueil&langue=en" target="_blank">http://www.coconuttaxiboat.com/index.php?page=accueil&langue=en</a><br />
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Mary-Clare loaned us her ice chest and gave us two bags of ice. Her husband picked us up at our hotel and took us to the boat ramp were we met Oli at 8 am on Friday. Mary-Clare, her staff, and the Fijian librarians were such wonderful hosts throughout the conference, and this was definitely above and beyond the call of duty.<br />
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The four of us spent around 3 hours snorkeling in two different areas. The first had high reaching coral heads with sand channels about 20 to 25 feet deep around them. The variety of hard coral species was impressive as was the size of many of the coral heads. The second spot was much more shallow with the corals so close to the surface you couldn't swim over the reef. Instead we swam around the edge of the reef. Here the sand channels were closer to 10 feet deep. The water was also warmer because of the shallow depth and the sun reflecting off the white sand in the channels. I was glad I brought my "Palmyra" wetsuit as I was cold by the time we finished our first dive in the colder, deeper water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine & Kris enjoying our ride out to the barrier reef</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZtozxhpqdeYkQBsvBSZh87Wuicxw2Pb2yDY-DBPVVzmeLoT8u_XBoc7QTdggNE7cnpogrBMkocFIYVDRMuZKAli0FWLOO0LVsWLcwaYLik_kHvywGPs9XYb0WutEH5-6JPfS_3dtg/s1600/corals+from+the+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZtozxhpqdeYkQBsvBSZh87Wuicxw2Pb2yDY-DBPVVzmeLoT8u_XBoc7QTdggNE7cnpogrBMkocFIYVDRMuZKAli0FWLOO0LVsWLcwaYLik_kHvywGPs9XYb0WutEH5-6JPfS_3dtg/s1600/corals+from+the+boat.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of the coral reef from the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are some coral photos to give you an idea of the number of species and how large some of the coral heads are. I felt New Caledonia and Fiji were much more impressive in terms of corals than what I saw diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Of course the GBR is huge, and I might not have been diving in the best spot. Did you know that the barrier reef of New Caledonia is the world's second largest after Australia's GBR?<br />
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Here are some fish photos. I felt the GBR had schools of larger fish that I did not see here. In terms of number of fish, Fiji had more than both New Caledonia and Australia. There were clouds of small fish off the island where Steve and I dove when we visited Fiji in 2008.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLisos05K-ACPxzCkEmsqhXR8aXd_IKeiJo_YqCH5RqBejFwKJklOoHlmdqWCFTOGTU3XKVje3EmwxnN5PgwGyymZcXZgXzNiuUOdr8VF1Hh1jd8trgxSe6Q_w8Rto0sTC8keDwUCMMg/s1600/honeycomb+grouper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLisos05K-ACPxzCkEmsqhXR8aXd_IKeiJo_YqCH5RqBejFwKJklOoHlmdqWCFTOGTU3XKVje3EmwxnN5PgwGyymZcXZgXzNiuUOdr8VF1Hh1jd8trgxSe6Q_w8Rto0sTC8keDwUCMMg/s1600/honeycomb+grouper.JPG" height="320" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeycomb grouper<br />
<i>Epinephelus merra</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGzYVekkSdsFJIKAngx9wAnSx6CUGvUxb6fHvZAKYFch8t-z7bBSlxik54Y5iRe_9ZCq7zfwwSCY1sq-AEnGiwtJ1m5XrCaFqgkR0ez5zXgQzKAI8o2vWsUV9aez-yDcvp_wOCu42vA/s1600/Blue+Damsel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGzYVekkSdsFJIKAngx9wAnSx6CUGvUxb6fHvZAKYFch8t-z7bBSlxik54Y5iRe_9ZCq7zfwwSCY1sq-AEnGiwtJ1m5XrCaFqgkR0ez5zXgQzKAI8o2vWsUV9aez-yDcvp_wOCu42vA/s1600/Blue+Damsel.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue damsel fishes + one Humbug<br />
<i>Pomacentrus pavo<br />Dascyllus anuanus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltR9QdAGZI9ESVG5mDc-cQ8bHFCFWExvzJhTFqcl6xki3MZHAa0xcbRo6H6doYzdc8Sk79WifG2o_1laoQO9c0ZROyAt3V-DFGxhK8N4rWRtHe4lp7_deMhA5uzQKZYVs5DldM0vhug/s1600/lizard+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltR9QdAGZI9ESVG5mDc-cQ8bHFCFWExvzJhTFqcl6xki3MZHAa0xcbRo6H6doYzdc8Sk79WifG2o_1laoQO9c0ZROyAt3V-DFGxhK8N4rWRtHe4lp7_deMhA5uzQKZYVs5DldM0vhug/s1600/lizard+fish.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reef lizardfish<br />
<i>Synodus variegatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3DsTvWwn6CKH6GBClCucDaOnZuV5XBcyTXOt_TpMU9I5e17GXxogwA3i1VMBqCDXLqPy_w-pLu-lXKaxZeHXWxSaSpP0lLhZ4P3xEU-fCtzB4lh9HBn-ed2ER1KCqQf1Sh3YMjw1Sw/s1600/Longnose+Butterflyfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3DsTvWwn6CKH6GBClCucDaOnZuV5XBcyTXOt_TpMU9I5e17GXxogwA3i1VMBqCDXLqPy_w-pLu-lXKaxZeHXWxSaSpP0lLhZ4P3xEU-fCtzB4lh9HBn-ed2ER1KCqQf1Sh3YMjw1Sw/s1600/Longnose+Butterflyfish.JPG" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yellow long nose butterflyfish on left<br />
<i>Forcipiger flavissimus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHpbzq3xuG7ohhAo_1LEy4yPetNufX0QmekHFwx_wtkW1e7S92FYziQb4_gF7N1YC7uNuJ9tV9I-uoNfnNClSieCEtpvwc2NrB43eqjkOpq0ZTNuOp0_xM7jM3iP_8l8d5BGwOrTWGw/s1600/blue+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHpbzq3xuG7ohhAo_1LEy4yPetNufX0QmekHFwx_wtkW1e7S92FYziQb4_gF7N1YC7uNuJ9tV9I-uoNfnNClSieCEtpvwc2NrB43eqjkOpq0ZTNuOp0_xM7jM3iP_8l8d5BGwOrTWGw/s1600/blue+fish.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">southseas devil or Fiji damsel<br />
<i>Chrysiptera taupou</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkeDjpU0O91PPX7XHWOftQvznmavvTLxC4yWNoHK_siK_uPwMYLFFXvCM08DfqNp5Sr9Uu1nWqra7bb6XEFJyS8Bgnsx4JXPXD0CafYb2Mw_78H0MDH8auYzRtwNJIMFv_TGfpxXhWA/s1600/parrot+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkeDjpU0O91PPX7XHWOftQvznmavvTLxC4yWNoHK_siK_uPwMYLFFXvCM08DfqNp5Sr9Uu1nWqra7bb6XEFJyS8Bgnsx4JXPXD0CafYb2Mw_78H0MDH8auYzRtwNJIMFv_TGfpxXhWA/s1600/parrot+fish.JPG" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">steephead parrotfish<br />
<i>Chlorurus microrhinos</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRidFHypSdCzis-YM6emjyerd5wnl5Iz4N85WXH18aUJktY6syAUZOe8HHi2160ZEpVh06fPMOHJJvevLHPVf07U44G5bB5ZIUmtcLspbU670pHncyd47t-GvoNehwlelAASyS8NGfhA/s1600/two+oval+butterflyfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRidFHypSdCzis-YM6emjyerd5wnl5Iz4N85WXH18aUJktY6syAUZOe8HHi2160ZEpVh06fPMOHJJvevLHPVf07U44G5bB5ZIUmtcLspbU670pHncyd47t-GvoNehwlelAASyS8NGfhA/s1600/two+oval+butterflyfish.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a pair of oval butterflyfish<br />
<i>Chaetodon lunulatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On to the invertebrates. First we have some echinoderms.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuXvQ7ub3o-4YBmfy6pXFc8EuVahrxfzAiP-y-1oeIjSR_tIoJUiWn-RPrec7MRNk70IRRWqcIROLQFJUj0R2uMMWB8kLJhpN6vh11Y7X8xftBhICxl1-Z9C4FXTD7ZkUL57Q57HQJw/s1600/pencil+urchin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuXvQ7ub3o-4YBmfy6pXFc8EuVahrxfzAiP-y-1oeIjSR_tIoJUiWn-RPrec7MRNk70IRRWqcIROLQFJUj0R2uMMWB8kLJhpN6vh11Y7X8xftBhICxl1-Z9C4FXTD7ZkUL57Q57HQJw/s1600/pencil+urchin.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red slate pencil urchin <br />
<i>Heterocentrotus mammillatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKbCGhyOb6hwI2wDi_s7LrJBccwAbyTirZ8o86Z0VjOq8n2jDNng_tlcH6ugDFlpgvC5bCz-o9tA-b1D1LLXckvgp_czLIs8odw2qOlx6FLRU7W6bQa4LumCvLHpJwMeOQHOWwWxT3A/s1600/white+spined+urchin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKbCGhyOb6hwI2wDi_s7LrJBccwAbyTirZ8o86Z0VjOq8n2jDNng_tlcH6ugDFlpgvC5bCz-o9tA-b1D1LLXckvgp_czLIs8odw2qOlx6FLRU7W6bQa4LumCvLHpJwMeOQHOWwWxT3A/s1600/white+spined+urchin.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rock-boring sea urchin<br />
<i>Echinometra mathaei</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3dppuoJ1e20pZs_x5Oh4anHSnsu93jYFHEoKqPKEFwyd8ca_KLO4wuuZ0s_fCFiBiPBW4D1iOgjQZ6dc4hDMFR9P8bvkgBE1Me0tQ_02939mEm4NFv2G40DswhbGUUNxXVIqxNzSIw/s1600/sea+cucumber+NC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3dppuoJ1e20pZs_x5Oh4anHSnsu93jYFHEoKqPKEFwyd8ca_KLO4wuuZ0s_fCFiBiPBW4D1iOgjQZ6dc4hDMFR9P8bvkgBE1Me0tQ_02939mEm4NFv2G40DswhbGUUNxXVIqxNzSIw/s1600/sea+cucumber+NC.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leopard sea cucumber<br />
<i>Bohadschia argus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are some mollusks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JKjkvh5XnhmRFtshm-uBJm1VkOgqZOH7fhxLrfvefxbjwN6trivFVkZ-jRq6xRQEit9DrZ8Cwe93QanK9F4zKGum1EhFcS2Q4A9LG6pBCFSgSo9fFEJQToh07pEDyRnTXnJlPMjT7A/s1600/cowrie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JKjkvh5XnhmRFtshm-uBJm1VkOgqZOH7fhxLrfvefxbjwN6trivFVkZ-jRq6xRQEit9DrZ8Cwe93QanK9F4zKGum1EhFcS2Q4A9LG6pBCFSgSo9fFEJQToh07pEDyRnTXnJlPMjT7A/s1600/cowrie.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiger cowrie<br />
<i>Cypraea tigris</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9M4XIffRksqoHv0IHvRoR5FgWS1WrwPpjasfPND8arKWZLk7QizmGNN6O0LcyWgbjyLwAsxTfHTlkWJXoAPG_KtnilfMO71OhCB2uUpw0tFO-M9ibY-DKIcnC8mh584zfk_FmcNptQ/s1600/two+giant+clams.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9M4XIffRksqoHv0IHvRoR5FgWS1WrwPpjasfPND8arKWZLk7QizmGNN6O0LcyWgbjyLwAsxTfHTlkWJXoAPG_KtnilfMO71OhCB2uUpw0tFO-M9ibY-DKIcnC8mh584zfk_FmcNptQ/s1600/two+giant+clams.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you pick out the two giant clams in this photo?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o-X6hXg9s4CcfKbH0LY0EGbYUyh7z82kPzStc7bXKhRbotYMDbE-rkY0EptlgjF33SdAfZKq8s812m4EACyScLm4fBecVEMdtuIbHa4oBmu4wJac3Rx0P322pTM5OKCPfDRHmL_ofQ/s1600/giant+clam+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o-X6hXg9s4CcfKbH0LY0EGbYUyh7z82kPzStc7bXKhRbotYMDbE-rkY0EptlgjF33SdAfZKq8s812m4EACyScLm4fBecVEMdtuIbHa4oBmu4wJac3Rx0P322pTM5OKCPfDRHmL_ofQ/s1600/giant+clam+closeup.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of one of the two giant clams<br />
<i>Tridacna</i> sp.</td></tr>
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Here is a picture of Kris checking out the ship wreck on the outside of the barrier reef as we motor between snorkel sites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t1QGbHW5Y76-TX5uBsfWEUHTRblNisMA8EiFA6PsdcWcNRMmlTCnxCKqBlH_K2JYUKJeaxEQa3au3BSwI-mYyzPs6M1L3jgrRMxPDZLwy74al3mhgNuwI6SPILsxpdshgySseUHS3Q/s1600/Kris+looking+at+wreck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t1QGbHW5Y76-TX5uBsfWEUHTRblNisMA8EiFA6PsdcWcNRMmlTCnxCKqBlH_K2JYUKJeaxEQa3au3BSwI-mYyzPs6M1L3jgrRMxPDZLwy74al3mhgNuwI6SPILsxpdshgySseUHS3Q/s1600/Kris+looking+at+wreck.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris Anderson looking at the Ever ProsperityII wreck on the distant reef</td></tr>
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After our snorkel, Oli dropped us off on Maitre Islet where we had our picnic lunch. That will be the topic of my next blog entry.<br />
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-30748358614803583062014-09-23T22:46:00.002-07:002014-09-24T07:46:44.566-07:00A few miscellaneous picturesHere are a few random photographs from my time in New Caledonia.<br />
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After the conference there was an Aquatic Commons Work Party, but there were problems creating accounts. For those who had accounts, it kept bumping us off and asking to login again. We decided to take our assignments as homework and left early. This meant we had a little free time late Thursday afternoon so Jeanine, Steve, Kris, and I went to the Aquarium. It was a very nice small aquarium.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_a2xtSv1vY2VH0uHanxP-uCJ6UfivmyGQ4qI28BTgsUt7gcNtQPQsW66YFGFjZXuQ859Pfpp1pGaX4qDyjuMGoecfMCTN1wTR6sJL5A4CwrykLTKILtfnWkd1TCIDxSsZOAT-v26uA/s1600/Aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_a2xtSv1vY2VH0uHanxP-uCJ6UfivmyGQ4qI28BTgsUt7gcNtQPQsW66YFGFjZXuQ859Pfpp1pGaX4qDyjuMGoecfMCTN1wTR6sJL5A4CwrykLTKILtfnWkd1TCIDxSsZOAT-v26uA/s1600/Aquarium.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine & Steve at Aquarium's entrance</td></tr>
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One of the nice things about our apartment/hotel, was the great view from the balconies off every room. We could see both sides of the narrow peninsula from the balcony off Janet's room. Here is a view of Duck Island just offshore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0nG0eNfuvDQsVvX3iIfdWyGMyfrJ-kix4gFRan0zksxoy5m4NZUgLYgH2o8lYcD97T34tHZ334ZI3PV6DgxeLUsUx67YyucMQjwAxlWPgpAt2dfn3c2uhS36oU0fX_PVtzGiOJqkA/s1600/Duck+Island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0nG0eNfuvDQsVvX3iIfdWyGMyfrJ-kix4gFRan0zksxoy5m4NZUgLYgH2o8lYcD97T34tHZ334ZI3PV6DgxeLUsUx67YyucMQjwAxlWPgpAt2dfn3c2uhS36oU0fX_PVtzGiOJqkA/s1600/Duck+Island.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck Island seen from our apartment</td></tr>
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There were also some spectacular sunsets. Here are a few.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X2wEgbOAxLiSUd_Zu678kF4F1fEVpKWJA4m4-CyXfNiDOyjfqz5JYANGRoq7attNXoO46B5LaBMZcV_EmxC982TfJNwBtzaFSV-nEC31tT3ChMxMQaEc-6Pe66x-wBKf-p5qeySfJg/s1600/sunset+over+island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X2wEgbOAxLiSUd_Zu678kF4F1fEVpKWJA4m4-CyXfNiDOyjfqz5JYANGRoq7attNXoO46B5LaBMZcV_EmxC982TfJNwBtzaFSV-nEC31tT3ChMxMQaEc-6Pe66x-wBKf-p5qeySfJg/s1600/sunset+over+island.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun setting behind an offshore island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIgr4_f1g1rkJLPcw2oYm7FwjrWvRgg2JITgH8UlOS-7Sq-ZcJQOcvuT0OznDum3pyNAdraE_XA3wtrTjGJTP6pJhA3sNVIxw0WVH-21jCBT0tVg3R_Q9aok0RZvgLC9_TAyt0CV9Uw/s1600/sunset+reflection+on+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIgr4_f1g1rkJLPcw2oYm7FwjrWvRgg2JITgH8UlOS-7Sq-ZcJQOcvuT0OznDum3pyNAdraE_XA3wtrTjGJTP6pJhA3sNVIxw0WVH-21jCBT0tVg3R_Q9aok0RZvgLC9_TAyt0CV9Uw/s1600/sunset+reflection+on+water.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset reflection on the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbLU3sH5DRtqrytg-uRol1kQKVLOYKb062hXiljzUsgynVptP3Kl0-HVqmX3t3iXUkhHoKWJMv8GOHIQJCjfncWAqyyCK4vU7eZCHKs3qx8JqZsyXl7rYueW9IoW1dzHEeX__VXcIRA/s1600/sailing+at+sunet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbLU3sH5DRtqrytg-uRol1kQKVLOYKb062hXiljzUsgynVptP3Kl0-HVqmX3t3iXUkhHoKWJMv8GOHIQJCjfncWAqyyCK4vU7eZCHKs3qx8JqZsyXl7rYueW9IoW1dzHEeX__VXcIRA/s1600/sailing+at+sunet.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing at sunset</td></tr>
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And then there was the food. We has some great meals. Here are a couple examples.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNazIhuEWqcWMqFe4Fl7uQz-1WCB9MGpbs4mYxOlXxL-7KoKOdzrx-KnI6SyKpRJ8Wd7agHzmn3Nv_yRN2KxhTUPJ3RqPqYQ_RzEYXaXf_osHu0z6N5ZZbvOp8VHk2vaEVvwaj46Ugsg/s1600/scallops+and+bacon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNazIhuEWqcWMqFe4Fl7uQz-1WCB9MGpbs4mYxOlXxL-7KoKOdzrx-KnI6SyKpRJ8Wd7agHzmn3Nv_yRN2KxhTUPJ3RqPqYQ_RzEYXaXf_osHu0z6N5ZZbvOp8VHk2vaEVvwaj46Ugsg/s1600/scallops+and+bacon.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bacon and scallops at the l'Astrolabe restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSUZfSt95YMx-TtrFtybHzqq9UvyxRivaNDbl9lbJTEPstnn_Thyphenhyphen8Mq8uqHnO-6toGyUgrKRnOFcKpwS79NXj5tvFkWWEHGWccDh-JVzh3sWc_NZo0-l9lzEPT6GIkcCGM-nRp0XEHA/s1600/Stone+Grill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSUZfSt95YMx-TtrFtybHzqq9UvyxRivaNDbl9lbJTEPstnn_Thyphenhyphen8Mq8uqHnO-6toGyUgrKRnOFcKpwS79NXj5tvFkWWEHGWccDh-JVzh3sWc_NZo0-l9lzEPT6GIkcCGM-nRp0XEHA/s1600/Stone+Grill.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Grill where you cook your own meat on a hot stone</td></tr>
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At the Stone Grill, your meat selection is brought to you raw on a large volcanic stone that is very hot and you cook it yourself. There were lots of beef cuts from New Caledonia and New Zealand cattle. This was more meat than I generally like to eat, but Jeanine asked if she could order from the children's menu, and when they said yes I followed suit.<br />
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-16505181055330287172014-09-20T15:01:00.000-07:002014-09-21T08:05:12.351-07:00The IAMSLIC conference banquet<div>
Mary-Clare and her team arranged for an amazing spread of food and entertainment for our annual banquet. The spread of cold seafoods was so diverse and plentiful, I don't think some people ever got to the long row of hot dishes.</div>
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Following our meal there was a dancing show. I think I lost weigh just watching them dance. This was followed by another buffet of desserts. I struggled not to try each one. Finally the celebratory 40th anniversary cake was brought in and the Pacific Islands contingency sang. Wow!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcnfYOc0kMSqqa7q45DFnTW7rsHoZAvi-KOBoDkynYq1rInPSfEaa3NH_ZsAnmufDjizA3sRhZgzTaMn1MAH2menXN4NRSD86l3JvOjwURfCttbD1XwVlOMpndFHgdvGvWX3_1hZrEA/s640/blogger-image-1272275032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcnfYOc0kMSqqa7q45DFnTW7rsHoZAvi-KOBoDkynYq1rInPSfEaa3NH_ZsAnmufDjizA3sRhZgzTaMn1MAH2menXN4NRSD86l3JvOjwURfCttbD1XwVlOMpndFHgdvGvWX3_1hZrEA/s320/blogger-image-1272275032.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy filling her plate with seafood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhomZWuMOmHH3VRqxPOxt1pPdkmHgc7H8wEfQ7JuVm2ItqvFC8bw2UxeitO6_I7rwm2MezGE7Laf3qNUJbjSc4W6pUFYmke7ALIe7Umm0ZkrYydrCS0b34t2DNcrOXL1qs9S9kKV5Gw/s640/blogger-image--560845121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhomZWuMOmHH3VRqxPOxt1pPdkmHgc7H8wEfQ7JuVm2ItqvFC8bw2UxeitO6_I7rwm2MezGE7Laf3qNUJbjSc4W6pUFYmke7ALIe7Umm0ZkrYydrCS0b34t2DNcrOXL1qs9S9kKV5Gw/s320/blogger-image--560845121.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great food</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The female dancers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx6yOtIgVSnKl7TF7nzzIqOnZ0vJCv8VnFPXTBHj9Yb-Dw0aHnFg7Q2_oVVvkCTtX37V7WB1n6RBZf507ZUlA-tzHsuhDYZF18w7Mmztaln0uQ3Yx-3sMMpnPXkvv1SYRUw1Z7rsImQ/s640/blogger-image--1723194198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx6yOtIgVSnKl7TF7nzzIqOnZ0vJCv8VnFPXTBHj9Yb-Dw0aHnFg7Q2_oVVvkCTtX37V7WB1n6RBZf507ZUlA-tzHsuhDYZF18w7Mmztaln0uQ3Yx-3sMMpnPXkvv1SYRUw1Z7rsImQ/s320/blogger-image--1723194198.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The male dancers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo7AXPZz4aWQ3VvADcfNInGj0NNeUNyOCVuMD8t9rqca7O9SIXkOfm5qKlX2H5yIqxP0r4I5pZAnOQB7UUU7ouKcNcLCIAe1uizdGSWqEs-wkRE4mBNJeN6pntyCyLapnE5P4LhlnLw/s640/blogger-image-638056309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo7AXPZz4aWQ3VvADcfNInGj0NNeUNyOCVuMD8t9rqca7O9SIXkOfm5qKlX2H5yIqxP0r4I5pZAnOQB7UUU7ouKcNcLCIAe1uizdGSWqEs-wkRE4mBNJeN6pntyCyLapnE5P4LhlnLw/s320/blogger-image-638056309.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dessert buffet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daryl carrying in the IAMSLIC 40th anniversary cake</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-44043538237157889572014-09-20T14:50:00.002-07:002014-09-21T08:03:30.069-07:00Le Petit Train tour of Noumea<div>
One afternoon we had a break from our meetings for a tour of the city on Le Petit Train. The train would honk its horn, and people would wave at the crazy tourists. The horn was honked frequently, so we did a lot of hand waving.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all aboard at SPC for our tour of Noumea on the Le Petit Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">great views of the city from one of the hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red roof area is not Stanford, but Aussie Town - the Australians like to build houses with red roofs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another high vantage point for taking pictures - Sally, Kris, Steve</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Casa Del Sole (tall building)<br />
The beach on this side had lots of wind surfing and parasail surfing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verenaisi Bavadra on canon</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbiruQP8hzFycBJ2CIC3I1IlUTE4YXwTyB_RZbny46Chw2s20w3tVMAg_o1yKaFd5cnwDXMLBWBWunSrJYYqfujcHt1Ke2X2T1JH3CWxCwWCCg3fq-MYz0QSIOtLcI2AIwCFhVEUXFQ/s640/blogger-image--928064884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbiruQP8hzFycBJ2CIC3I1IlUTE4YXwTyB_RZbny46Chw2s20w3tVMAg_o1yKaFd5cnwDXMLBWBWunSrJYYqfujcHt1Ke2X2T1JH3CWxCwWCCg3fq-MYz0QSIOtLcI2AIwCFhVEUXFQ/s320/blogger-image--928064884.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">nice view from the hilltop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally Taylor and Lyra Pagulayan</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-28892986274459238712014-09-19T22:19:00.001-07:002014-09-19T22:19:23.501-07:00Pre-conference trip to the New Caledonia cultural center<div>
On Sunday morning before the conference there was a tour of the Jean Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre. It has some very beautiful architecture both modern and historical.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were 10 of these structures. No photos allowed inside them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first stop on the Kanak Pathway - "The origins of living creatures"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this stop was the third stop - "The land of the ancestors"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These hats reminded me of the one's Paul Leary made this summer on Palmyra Atoll</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this was the house of the north</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the ceiling inside one of the traditional structures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not going to comment on this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the "Cases" from a different angle</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-6032611349682095752014-09-19T17:11:00.001-07:002014-09-20T19:52:39.731-07:00The IAMSLIC conference begins<div>
Here are some photos from the actual conference. Yes, we really do work.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the banner greeting us as we arrived at SPC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPC has a very nice facility; the building was designed based on an upside down canoe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here we are inside the "upside down canoe" seated at a round table with microphones at each chair</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had "tea" twice a day with great food; here we also had our poster session with tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch was on a covered, outdoor deck with great food (you notice pattern about the food?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back to work after food with Brian Voss asking a question of the speaker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I teased Mary-Clare about them not raking the leaves for our arrival; she explained it was a Sunday and they would be raked on Monday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Pacific Islands contingency<br />
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-22653053892770429252014-09-19T04:47:00.000-07:002014-09-19T04:47:14.395-07:00IAMSLIC welcome reception<div>
As usual, the welcome reception on Sunday evening was a big hit. It was held at the Chateau Royal. We were divided into "teams" of 3 where we had to learn something not work related about other members of our team. We then stood in a circle and had to introduce one of the other members of our team to the whole group. It was a great way for everyone to get to know each other.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Stephanie, and Samuela</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring rolls, and yes, those are jello cubes adorning the edge of the plate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we mingled</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was hard to get a photograph of the platter of appetizers before it was devoured</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">introductions</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy desserts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Watkins, Samuela Nakalevu, Thi Hai Yen Dang, and me</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-52294621065101175492014-09-18T05:02:00.000-07:002014-09-23T21:54:44.551-07:00Settling into our apartment in New Caledonia<div>
Steve Watkins, Janet Webster and I moved into our two bedroom apartment on the 8th floor of Casa del Sole. The place is huge, and we have been enjoying it. It was listed as "one star", but we think that is because they do not service your room making up your bed every day and changing the linens constantly. That was fine with us. We do have to empty our own garbage. Splitting the cost of the apartment among the three of use and having a full kitchen so we can do breakfast at "home", makes it quite affordable.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet in front of Casa del Sol</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dining room with enough space for the party dance floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the guy's room - Janet got the master bedroom with the queen size bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">full kitchen with range, oven, microwave, dishwasher</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we even have a washing machine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our 8th floor balcony</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet & Steve enjoying breakfast on the lani</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-72100166647326679962014-09-16T00:11:00.000-07:002014-09-16T00:11:00.728-07:00Some random nice photos from my time in New Zealand<div>
Here are some pretty photos I took in no particular order.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not sure, but I think it is an orange sea cucumber in front of the sea urchin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A view of Coromandel from the hills overlooking the town<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">lake in Kuirau Park that was a short walk from my hotel in Rotorua</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiau waterfalls south of Coromandel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat Island as seen from shore near Leigh Marine Laboratory</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat Island Marine DIscovery Center</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-26013480539700952452014-09-15T04:33:00.003-07:002014-09-16T12:24:55.052-07:00No room at the Inn results in fortuitous sightseeing opportunitiesAfter leaving Rotorua I headed toward the coast and planned to spend the night at the south end of the Bay of Plenty. When I got to Mount Maunganui I was noticing all the "No Vacancy" signs, and when I went online I found all the hotels, motels, and B&B lodgings were booked except for a few that would have cost me $550 for the night. This was totally unexpected since everywhere else I had travelled was pretty much empty. Up until now, when I did see "No Vacancy" signs it wasn't because the place was full but rather the place was closed for the off season. I also tried to find a place in the much larger neighboring town, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tauranga. Same problem here. I later learn it was a school holiday, and there was some sporting event so every place was filled with kids and their parental entourage.</span><br />
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I decided to just keep driving north and look for a vacancy sign. I finally found one in the town of Katikati. I went to the office, but it turns out they were full except for a trailer they could make up if I wanted it. However, she said she left the vacancy sign up so that people would come in so she could help them find a place to stay. She offered to call ahead to the next town and see if something was available. Another example of how friendly the New Zealander's are to visitors. She found a place that had a room for me along with a room for the couple that came in after me looking for a bed. We both headed north and ended up in a very nice place in Waihi.<br />
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In the morning, I hiked along the Waitawheta River in the Karangahake Gorge. This included walking through a very long tunnel through the mountain that used to have a railroad running through it when they were mining gold.<br />
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hiking along the Waitawheta River in the Karangahake Gorge</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1100 meter tunnel through the moutain</td></tr>
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After the morning hike I had lunch at the Bistro at the Falls described in a previous post. I then stopped by the the top of a copper mine for a quick look before heading further north.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copper mine in Waihi New Zealand</td></tr>
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<br />Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-74517140706449680392014-09-14T04:13:00.000-07:002014-09-14T12:46:22.946-07:00Yummy places to eat on the North Island of New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I don't think I have had a bad meal in New Zealand, and some were outstanding. It is especially impressive when you think that some of these meals are being served out in the sticks. The service is also friendly, and they don't expect tips. One of the other nice things about spending money in New Zealand is the price you see is the price you pay. Any taxes are incorporated into the published price.</div>
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My first meal in New Zealand was at the Sawmill Cafe. I had read about this place, and it was highly praised. I asked if there was a table where I might plug in my iPod to get it recharged. The host couldn't find a table near an electrical outlet, but he showed me one I could use that was within view of my table. While I was waiting for my meal to be served I had my iPad out looking at places I wanted to visit, places I might spend the night, etc. When he brought me my meal, he asked if I wanted WiFi. He explained there was no WiFi in the dining area, but he offered to let me go into the room they use for conferences where there is WiFi and electrical outlets I could use. So after I finished eating I went there and had a nice place to re-charge, check my email, and make my plans. </div>
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I had one of the wood-fired pizzas with t<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">andoori chicken, capsicum, red onion, fruit chutney, and yogurt. I ate the whole thing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawmill Cafe in Leigh</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a delicious "Ella Hart" pizza at Sawmill Cafe</td></tr>
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When I passed through Matakana I happened upon the Plume Restaurant where I had lunch. It had nice outdoor seating, but I grabbed a table inside where I was able to plug in my iPad and use their free WiFi.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn fritters and bacon at the Plume Restaurant in Matakana</td></tr>
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Below is another example of a place out in the country where you can get an elegant meal. I had lunch at Bistro at The Falls Retreat after hiking the <span style="text-align: center;">Karangahake</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Gorg</span><span style="text-align: center;">e. I had the local fish of the day which was beautifully presented. I forgot what the sides were, but needless to say they were great. </span></div>
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Bistro at the Falls</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from my seat at Bistro at The Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local fish wrapped in prosciutto at Bistro at the Falls</td></tr>
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When I got to <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: center;">Coromandel I walked up and down the street looking for a place to have a late lunch. I found the Pepper Tree Restaurant which severed me a plate of tempura fish with potatoe wedges and a salad. Very good and filling, so no need for dinner that day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tempura fish and potatoe wedges at the Pepper Tree Restaurant in Coromandel</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-42318178163138107752014-09-13T13:02:00.000-07:002014-09-24T23:36:23.842-07:00Another recommended place to stay<div>
Here us the other place I stayed that I would highly recommend. It is call "The Church" and is located in the very small town of Hahei on the Coromandel peninsula. I arrived shortly after lunch and found the office closed until 3:30 pm. However, there was a clip board next to the door where you signed in for the room you want. They leave the keys in the doors, so I went around and checked out a number of rooms and picked the best one. It was on the end which meant there was an extra window on the wall that was lacking in the other rooms. You let yourself in and "make yourself at home" - the joys of a remote, small town. I also had dinner in the old Presbyterian chuch that night which I can also highy recommend as a place to eat. You can get some amazing meals even when out in the sticks.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church restaurant in Hahei</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my room behind the old church showing the deck out back leading to a garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this shows the high ceiling and the extra window I had by being in the end room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice wood floors, solid wood doors, and a small kitchen area</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-41071025553938257512014-09-13T03:34:00.002-07:002014-09-13T12:22:30.412-07:00Places to stay on the North Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After spending the first night in an International Hostel in Paihia, I moved the Longhouse B&B located a few kilometers north of Paihia. A private room with bathroom at the hostel cost $60. It was clean, but smelled a bit musty. It had cement block walls, and there were no toiletries, so it was a good thing I brought my own soap. The B&B on the other hand cost $74, and included a gourmet breakfast. When you factor in the cost of the breakfast, the B&B really didn't cost any more than the room at the hostel. Of course I could have gotten something around $20 at the hostel if I had been willing to share a room filled with bunk beds with the bathroom down the hall. </div>
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The place is run by a very nice gay couple, John and Mike. John is a professional trained chef and loves to cook. I was pleased with my decision to pay an extra $38 for a three course dinner the night I stayed there. The first course was an avocado that had been mixed with some other ingredients and then put back into its skin. Both a beautifully presented and delicious, I should have taken a picture for my foodie friends. Next was a steak with a grilled portobello mushroom, salad, and home made fries. Instead of dessert John decided to go with a tray of cheeses with bread, crackers, and grapes. I was in heaven, but when I mentioned I also like my sweets, he brought out some leftover something to let me try. I don't remember what it was, but it was also scrumptious. We also shared a bottle of wine with dinner and he offered me a glass of port after dinner which I gratefully accepted. I knew then to look forward to him making me breakfast in the morning. I could go on.</div>
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If you are going to be in the Paihia Bay of Islands area, this is a bargain. Other than the hostel, it was the least expensive place I stayed the entire trip and it was one of the two top places I stayed. If interested, the URL is:</div>
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<a href="http://www.longhouse.co.nz/" target="_blank">http://www.longhouse.co.nz</a></div>
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Here are some photos of from the B&B. The room I stayed in was originally build as an in-law unit so I had my own separate entrance and a small kitchen area with a half frig, sink, microwave, etc. The bathroom had heated towels. There are two other rooms they make available which I didn't see, but I suspect this one was the best.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JoAytVLcH5ccKa0lpbbWxxXcrbTI0li8NVb06CkCF2ubuQh07wds9FEY0FalIE0t1DTjqiDTRF9jg-pI6IX41xbM6IsWAKGC8eAPF7huvCaP6P2RznFPuH0o8Ydmdw_j-QW2-P0QNw/s640/blogger-image--1897788318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JoAytVLcH5ccKa0lpbbWxxXcrbTI0li8NVb06CkCF2ubuQh07wds9FEY0FalIE0t1DTjqiDTRF9jg-pI6IX41xbM6IsWAKGC8eAPF7huvCaP6P2RznFPuH0o8Ydmdw_j-QW2-P0QNw/s320/blogger-image--1897788318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my very nice queen size bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a nice deck off my bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the room had two large glass doors with a great view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had use of the living room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if the weather had been better, we would have had dinner on the deck</td></tr>
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<br />Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-70056325888830072862014-09-13T02:40:00.002-07:002014-10-06T22:18:12.751-07:00More on driving<div>
I came back from a short walk down to view and photograph a waterfall, and when I got back up to my parked car and looked ahead, lo and behold there was one of the one way bridges I have been driving over but unable to photograph. Here is an example of how I always saw the bridges with my direction in red indicating I had to yield the bridge to anyone coming across from the opposite direction.<br />
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-85758925105198942782014-09-11T00:24:00.002-07:002015-03-09T09:43:46.684-07:00Finally got in the water early this morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I got up at 6 am this morning and ate a light breakfast that had been delivered to my room the day before. It was actually quite good. I then put on my wetsuit, drove up to the top of a cliff to hike down the path to Gemstone Bay to snorkel. I had hoped to get in the water a couple other places earlier in the trip. I was either blown out by the weather or not able to stay in the area because every single room had been booked. More about that my hotel adventures in a separate post.<br />
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The water did not look too inviting and the sun was behind the clouds, but I got in anyway. The visibility was poor, and I was not seeing a single fish even though I had been told there would be lots of fish. I got the scoop on where to go from the local dive shop. They were very nice, but this is the off season, so they weren't taking groups out. They did loan me a couple weights so I could dive down to take photos while wearing a wetsuit. Of course, this was my warm water wetsuit that I used in Palmyra so it was a bit chilly. The water temeratures here are closer to those found in California. It even started to rain. I was beginning to think it was a bust and started to head back to shore when I started seeing fish. Even though the viz wasn't good, I managed to get a few good photos. The first one is of a large snapper who stayed with me for the rest of the snorkel. He was probably about 3 feet long.<br />
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There were only two guests where I was staying, so they had no problem with me doing a late check-out. This allowed me to go back to my room after my snorkel adventure and jump in the shower with all my gear to rinse it off. My room had a nice back porch where I could lay it all out to partially dry before I packed it up to hit the road.</div>
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Here are the highlights of the photos I took.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiViH1Bz6u7_BKkoVtVG1Xsz0Te1FFoSoIPu_9vURfLM_vSj9QB1uWcdrtqXkpXLKhT565CLOu3dVNzIFICvUmH9Ep_WxGC7tnI8CRPRmEmt6tLK9SMeCwT1c0mpwt3ZFYTuKi423Rg/s640/blogger-image--1468932075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiViH1Bz6u7_BKkoVtVG1Xsz0Te1FFoSoIPu_9vURfLM_vSj9QB1uWcdrtqXkpXLKhT565CLOu3dVNzIFICvUmH9Ep_WxGC7tnI8CRPRmEmt6tLK9SMeCwT1c0mpwt3ZFYTuKi423Rg/s320/blogger-image--1468932075.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a large snapper who followed me around the entire time<br />
<i>Pagrus auratus</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4DOEhdxuVZkP3GB0bYcrY9Y659fQNpj1g30iQ6ciz_Md8xbXId4GEzoV13Hm1DIOEyfvqJei3goL8bW5todnZc5CseQA-uh7hyocQeUE-PzBiMLXVsqAJ9U3_kMy0q-Q-QlRCf2ImQ/s640/blogger-image--1654571550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4DOEhdxuVZkP3GB0bYcrY9Y659fQNpj1g30iQ6ciz_Md8xbXId4GEzoV13Hm1DIOEyfvqJei3goL8bW5todnZc5CseQA-uh7hyocQeUE-PzBiMLXVsqAJ9U3_kMy0q-Q-QlRCf2ImQ/s320/blogger-image--1654571550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">triggerfish or velvet leatherjacket<br />
<i>Meuschenia scabe</i><u>r</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This might be an Opalfish<br />
<i>Hemerocoetes monopterygius</i><br />
or a Tommyfis<i>h</i><br />
<i>Limnichthys polyactis</i><br />
or a Sand Diver<br />
<i>Limnichthys rendahli</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">urchin<br />
<i>Evechinus chloroticus</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red rock lobster<br />
<i>Janus edwardsii</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mottled triplefin<br />
<i>Forsterygion malcolmi</i></td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-50755162641057181612014-09-10T03:22:00.001-07:002014-09-10T23:15:19.942-07:00Two more stops before leaving RotoruaIn the morning I went to the Rotorua Museum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HQ4DD-9aR-MtHt6sAeZ3-Exj7oajJew8dO23rLjypH_0VjQTRkYBgtJpTTPnOAaXFUJ0JOZZcabDxDWPyYPEJsgE5zDpx3DLAwAwPp-rTnOoSReWCGt5PXtApgp6ftRKE-rITi9ODw/s640/blogger-image--66767008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HQ4DD-9aR-MtHt6sAeZ3-Exj7oajJew8dO23rLjypH_0VjQTRkYBgtJpTTPnOAaXFUJ0JOZZcabDxDWPyYPEJsgE5zDpx3DLAwAwPp-rTnOoSReWCGt5PXtApgp6ftRKE-rITi9ODw/s320/blogger-image--66767008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotorua Museum</td></tr>
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The museum used to be a place where people came to soak in the hot mineral waters. Later they offered mud baths in the basement as shown below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old mud baths in museum basement</td></tr>
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After the museum I drove to Hobbiton for a tour of the movie set created by Peter Jackson for his Hobbit films and his Lord of the Rings films.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in front of Hobbit hole</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-34864322649282790862014-09-10T02:09:00.002-07:002014-09-10T15:35:14.609-07:00I've delayed Alzheimer's disease for a few yearsThey say mental stimulation helps put off the start of dementia. If that is true, I have probably delayed any onset by a few years as my brain was getting a work out adjusting to driving in New Zealand. I actually adjusted to driving on the left quickly. I am also quite comfortable using the round abouts. I do miss the keyless car entry I have on my Prius. I keep having to find my key. The thing that I still haven't adjusted to is having the turn signal on the right. I keep flipping on my windshield wipers instead of signaling for a turn. I also somtimes go to the wrong side of the car to get in to drive.<br />
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I sure am glad I had a backup plan for navigation. I thought I would be using my Garmin GP that I brought with me. I had found free maps that work with Garmin and installed them before I left. Unfortunately, I think they only cover the major metropolitan areas as it often could not find where I wanted to go. I used the one that came free with my rental, but it was having problems getting to the menu where I put in a new address. I ended up switching to my iPad using the Map app which showed my location on the big screen and also gave very clear verbal instructions such as "take the second exit in the roundabout toward ... ".<br />
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It was a bit stressful the first few days driving on winding, narrow roads when it was raining. I am thankful there are lots of passing lanes as I am driving a bit slower than the locals. I am surprised at the number of one lane bridges. I always seemed to be driving the direction that has to yield. I keep wanting to take a photo of a bridge with the sign showing I have to wait to cross if a car is coming from the other direction, but I haven't found a place safe to stop to take the picture. The shoulders on the roads are narrow to non-existent. I often get a glimpse of a great view and wish there was a place to pull off to the side of the road to take a photo.<br />
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I promise some photos in my next post.<br />
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<br />Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-66809864122465768282014-09-09T02:48:00.000-07:002014-09-09T02:48:28.658-07:00Buried Village of Te Wairoa<div>
The other place I visited yesterday was a village that was buried when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886. The museum and ruins were interesting, but what I liked most was the hike to the waterfalls.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stream at Te Wairoa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wairere Falls</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-90584749265949959492014-09-08T12:41:00.001-07:002014-09-08T12:47:15.630-07:00A visit to Te Puia including lunch<div>
I spent much of the day yesterday at Te Puia walking around looking at the geysers, hot springs, mudpools, etc. I went for the steambox lunch tour. You pick out your food items at the start of the tour and they are then cooked by steam over one of the geothermal vents while you take your 2 hour tour. <br />
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This the Pohutu geyser which we sat above and got to watch go off as we ate our lunch.</div>
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The chef removes the damp cloths to retrieve the food we selected 2 hours earlier.</div>
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I enjoyed the tour with a group of 4 from Korea. That is our tour guide in the back - a native Maori.</div>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0Rotorua Rotorua-38.134985 176.242884tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-42705476997259750732014-09-07T04:01:00.000-07:002014-09-07T04:01:34.174-07:00Glow Worm Cave in KawitiSince winter has just ended here in New Zealand, it is the off season. Many places I visited I received private tours since I was the only one there. In the case of the glow worm caves in Kawiti, I had two guides -- one in front and one in back.<br />
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A lot of places are off unpaved roads such as this one.</div>
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Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take photos inside the cave. Here is one of the entrance before I had to put my camera away.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance to the glow worm cave</td></tr>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-78366287567849906672014-09-07T03:13:00.000-07:002014-10-06T22:20:33.474-07:00Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I thought I would go back to the beginning of the trip. I was pleasantly surprised how fast the WiFi was on theAirbus ride from Monterey to SFO. In the past it was painfully slow, but this time it was not bad. Either they have improved their service, or maybe it was fast because I was the only one using it. It allowed me to get a lot of work done on the ride to the airport.</div>
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The 12+ hour plane ride went by quickly, even though I was flying coach and not on a Gulfstream IV like I fly when going to Palmyra. I was seated in the second to the last row, which meant I was able to board early and get my bag in the overhead. I was in no rush to get off the plane when we landed since I was arriving 2 hours before the rental car agency opened. I was near the emergency exit and on the aisle with the middle seat empty as planned. This meant I could put my backpack under the middle seat and stretch out in mine. I met the first of many friendly New Zealanders sitting in the window seat. We had a nice conversation while eating dinner. I then watched a movie before falling asleep. I arrived well rested.</div>
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Getting through customs was interesting. They have automated it. You put your passport into a kiosk, answer a few questions on the screen, and out pops a ticket which you take to another station where you input the ticket and stand still while the automated camera takes your photo. At that point I got rejected and had to go see a human customs agent. Did my passport photo not match the one they tried to take? Was I just a random pick to be screened by a human? Who knows, but I had a nice chat with the agent before being cleared. The plus for going through the old fashioned way was I got my passport stamped. I don't think that happens otherwise.</div>
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I had to declare food (granola bars and chocolate) and sports gear that had been outside (SCUBA stuff), so I was sent to the X-ray line. Finally cleared, I emerged well before I needed to phone my rental car agency which was off-site. I had a couple things to do before I called anyway. First I needed cash, so I found an ATM. The first one I tried did not work, which got me a bit worried that I was't going to be able to get some cash. I found another ATM and it worked. Whew! Next I wanted to get a SIM installed in my iPad so I could get online even if there was no WiFi. I had determined that Telecom was the one to use since it had the best coverage in the remote areas I would be traveling. The other service had good coverage in the cities, but not so good outside metropolitan areas. The problem was I didn't see Telecom which was supposed to be at the airport. It turns out the company decided to change their name only a few weeks ago to Spark. I eventually figured it out. </div>
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I purchased the SIM and let them install it, but it was not working. It took a LONG time for them to get it to work. As part of their attempt to get it functioning, they asked me to remove a couple files. These files may or may not have caused the problem as he was trying several other things. Much later that day I discovered that removing one of those files resulted in my losing my Stanford email account. For a while I got around this either by reading my email using my iPod when I had WiFi access, or reading it on my iPad using Webmail in my Safari browser.</div>
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I had just sat down around 6:30 am and was going to catch up with my email until it was time to phone for the pick-up when a stranger came up to me and asked if I was if I was Joe from California. It turns out the car rental agent was meeting his daughter who was arriving the same morning. I was impressed he was able to pick me out from the crowd. I was also happy not to have to figure out how to use the pay phone.</div>
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I rented on older car from Scottie's. It turns out I was happy the rental place was not right at the airport. This meant I didn't have to negotiate airport traffic while I was getting used to an unfamiliar car and driving on the left. As is often the case when renting cars, I got a free upgrade. Normally I complain when they do this because I prefer a smaller, more fuel efficient car. However, the one I was supposed to get probably would not have held all my gear inside the trunk which is a disadvantage when trying to keep things hidden when leaving your car to go off exploring. The one thing that you get in most newer cars are multiple places to plug in electronics. This Nissan only has one which I need for the GPS. I had hoped to also plug in my iPod or iPad.</div>
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This is a very text heavy post, but I will throw in one picture of my rental car. I promise to get more photos posted, but I do have one more long winded tome in me about New Zealand driving that I will do later.</div>
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Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-972276045723712632.post-57639545083683089512014-09-06T17:50:00.000-07:002014-10-06T22:22:10.331-07:00Enjoying lunch while blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I forgot to mention I am in New Zealand for some vacation on my way to New Caledonia for the annual IAMSLIC conference. I am curruntly eating lunch at the Plume Cafe in Matakana on the north island. So far I have done well finding non-chain, local restaurants.<br />
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One of the nice things is I have a table with a power outlet and free WiFi.Joe Wiblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354086767708245498noreply@blogger.com0Plume Café Matakana Matakana Wharf Rd, Matakana-36.352232 174.718106