We joined in the LEARNZ virtual walk trip that went on the Routeburn Track that is near Queenstown. This is our first time on a LEARNZ trip so we only listened along. Next time we would like to ask questions. We sent our Ambassador, Kahu. Here is his diary of things he got up to on the trip...
Meet Out Ambassador KahuKia ora I'm Kahu the Kiwi and I am from Hillcrest School. I am the school Ambassador for our Cool Kiwi's Program. This program focuses on encouraging Hillcrest's students to look after our environment. Students earn badges for being personally responsible, community minded and action orientated. I love rewarding kids for doing the right thing! I also love hanging out with my friends Terry the Tui, Kaia the Kea and Faye the Fantail. I hope to meet more feathered friends on theVirtual Great Walker field trip - I can't wait! See you all soon, Kahu. Friday 20 February Tēnā koutou I’m exhausted after all our travel today. We have driven nearly 500km from Dunedin to Queenstown and then on to Te Anau. I don’t think kiwis were made to travel such big distances! At least it was really scenic along the way. Shelley said if I think that the drive was scenic then I will love the Routeburn because it’s way better! Well this little bird’s got to fly (well hop) because I haven’t finished packing my tramping pack yet. See you tomorrow, Kahu. Saturday 21 February Hi guys, I hardly slept last night because I was so excited about finally starting our walk on the Routeburn Track. I got really nervous at the Visitors Centre in Te Anau when we were reminded of everything we needed... I was sure I had forgotten something. The first hill we had to climb was up to 900m and it was quite hard work because I'm not used to walking so far. I did see some amazing beech trees, orchids and spiders though. Hopefully it won’t be raining tomorrow because we are heading up into the mountains. See you there, Kahu. Sunday 22 February Kia ora Wow, what a spectacular day we have had! We could not have asked for better weather. The views across the mountains were amazing and it was easy to see why so many people come from all over the world to walk this track. Ruud caught some grasshoppers to show us and I tried to eat one but he wouldn’t let me. My favourite part of the day was going bug hunting at night where we found glowworms and harvestman. Kiwis like foraging at night and it was so much fun to explore a new area. Well, tomorrow is our last day so I'll see you bright and early in the morning. Kahu. Monday 23 February Hi folks, Our mission is complete, we have managed to walk the entire length of the Routeburn Track! I have enjoyed it so much, even though it was hard work. All the ambassadors are keen to do another walk soon and I am definitely planning to do more adventures. It was wonderful to go and see some of the birds that we didn’t manage to spot during our walk at the Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park. I especially liked the cute little whio. I am looking forward to getting home and sharing more of my adventures with you all. See you soon, Kahu. |
Kahu meets two whio ducks at the Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park. Image: LEARNZ.First Night in the hut!
LEARNZ
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