New Zealand
Faculty: David J. Martínez and Jay Miller
Class meeting time: Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Trip Dates: May, 2024
Highlights
This trip will include the north and south islands of New Zealand. This course will cover outdoors/adventure sports, cultural engagement, and examination of the unique flora, fauna, and geography of the destination. During the classroom portion of this course, we will cover materials associated with the activities, sites and experiences in order to provide a base of knowledge and understanding prior to departing for the trip.
New Zealand offers a distinctive ecosystem with plants and animals unique to the islands while also being composed of some of the most breathtaking scenery of any country in the world. The islands boast a plethora of adventure sports and outdoor activities that we will explore. This will include, but is not limited to, street luge, bungee jumping, Black Water Rafting, skydiving and hiking.
Culturally, we will examine the Maori people, the influence of Western culture, and other regional influences through visits to Maori cultural sites, various museums, Hobbiton and other Lord of the Rings/Hobbit motion picture sites, and many more. Finally, we will explore the local geography, including the majestic Milford Sound, the glaciers at the base of Mt. Cook and Franz Josef, the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, and the caves at Waitomo.
This will be an active trip, including several hikes. Thus you will need to be in good condition to participate in this trip.
Tentative Itinerary
| Day 1-3 | Fly from Portland to Christchurch; visit Cathedral Square, Canterbury Museum and Gardens |
| Day 4 | Christchurch: Antarctica Museum |
| Day 5 | Travel to Mt. Cook, Lake Pukaki and Tasman Glacier |
| Day 6 | Travel to Queenstown and explore the town |
| Day 7 | Queenstown: Jet boat rides, parasailing, hang gliding, steamship, hiking, horseback riding |
| Day 8 | Day trip to Milford Sound: Boat trip on the Sound |
| Day 9 | Franz Josef Glacier: Glacier trekking |
| Day 10 | Westport: Glacier trekking |
| Day 11 | Nelson: Inter-islander ferry (South Island) |
| Day 12 | Wellington: Inter-islander ferry (North Island), New Zealand/Te Papa Tongarewa & Zealandia Museum, government buildings |
| Day 13 | Wellington: Weta Caves and other Lord of the Rings sites |
| Day 14 | Tongariro National Park: Hiking around volcanoes |
| Day 15 | Rotorua: Lake Taupo, Huka Falls, Geothermal power plant (bungee jumping opportunity), Maori Institute |
| Day 16 | Rotorua: Te Puia Cultural Center, Agrodome, Hangi (Maori meal), Anglican Church, hot springs |
| Day 17 | Hamilton: Hobbiton movie set, elementary school |
| Day 18 | Waitomo: Waitomo glowworm caves, Black Water rafting (rafting through a cave) |
| Day 19 | Auckland: Whitianga, Mercury Bay, Thames |
| Day 20 | Auckland: Downtown Auckland (bungee jumping opportunity), Auckland museum, harbor trip, Auckland Zoo |
| Day 21 | Return to Portland |
