Of course all these classes are 3 days a week and for 50 mins each and it helps to keep my week moving fast. The weekends come quickly and go away quickly too.
Weekends are usual parties, potlucks, outings...
The Prof who takes Plant Evolution also teaches a class on native Hawaiian plants. I didn't sign up for the class but asked his permission to go on the field trips. He agreed very graciously and as a result went for a good hike on Saturday. Went to Aiea ridge and walked for a good 4 hours one way. It was like walking through the sholas. A wet forest, invaded with all the invasives one could possible imagine, even a few Lantanas smiling at me. Exotics all of them, the Eucalyptus's were waving like they do over at Wilson's plantation off Gudalur. But as we moved higher Sandalwood, Ebony (Diopsyros), Elaeocarpus, Psychotrias, Syzygiums all natives of the island. Needless to say I felt totally at home. It is something to be able to recognise the plants many thousands of miles away. I kind of understand why the British wanted to plant some of the plants they remembered from home... No cycads and canarium.....
The only signs of animal life when we were on the hike, 2 butterflies!! The bird calls one or two were from the plantations below. It was a strange feeling to walk through forests that belong only to plants.
The only signs of animal life when we were on the hike, 2 butterflies!! The bird calls one or two were from the plantations below. It was a strange feeling to walk through forests that belong only to plants.
Today drove out to North Shore, where the international surfing championships are held. The ocean was too choppy for me to go deep into the water. I stayed close to the shore all the time. It was beautiful. The first wildlife I saw - Sea turtles, swimming in the water with the tourists and snorkellers.
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