Fiji Senior Trip 2011

Good afternoon! We are on our last day in the village. We have wroked on building a bridge and a building for the community. We are heading off today for the islands to enjoy the rest of our trip. Everyone is happy and having a GREAT time!

New Orleans Roots of Music

Good afternoon! Our students have arrived safely in New Orleans and have already been through the French Market and the Garden District. Tonight they are off on a Haunted History tour through the streets of the old French Quarter.

Nexus-Fiji Senior Trip 2011

We have just finished two relaxing days at the Voli Voli resort reviving ourselves after a 30 hour trip. Last night we were introduced to the traditional kava ceremony. We also went into RakiRaki and the kids were given money to purchase food at the local market and then return to the resort to fix their own dinner. It was a great way to build team dynamics and get to know the local produce. Today we are off on our first day of the trek. About 3-4 hours to one village, and then tomorrow another 4-5 hour trek to our main village, Nanunanu, where we will split up and stay with our families. We will be welcomed into the village with a traditional Sevu ceremony.Kids are loving Fiji but ready to move on to the main portion of the trip. We will not have email service for the next 7 days but will update the blog when we arrive in the outer Yasawa islands for our dives. Everyone is happy and healthy.

Yellowstone - June 25

Weather is fantastic! Some of us are a bit sore from horseback riding, though. It's absolutely beautiful here. We went rafting in freezing cold water, but that didn't stop the kids from playing in it! The guides here are very knowledgable and great with the kids. Tomorrow we are heading to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Storm Point. We are all looking forward to biking around Old Faithful.

STRI

The kids had a blast in San Blas. Snorkeling was great and they did some beach and water quality studies. Today, their last day in Panama, they are touring Panama City and visiting some of their Brader School friends tonight. They'll be home tomorrow with great stories, videos and pics. This was a fantastic trip from every perspective. A great group of kids and the parents have much to be proud of.

Galapagos - June 21

On Santa Cruz as of 5 yesterday. Will spend 2 more nights here before flying to Quito Monday. Went through lava tunnels and did some shopping. On our way to see Lonesome George, the last of his kind of tortoise. We will arrive 9 Tuesday evening.

STRI-Galeta

Yesterday we spent the day snorkeling at an island near this Atlantic STRI site. We studied the sea grasses, corals, identified fish species and had a wonderful lecture last night from a young PHD candidate from Berkeley on mangroves. So far we have identified over 130 animal species on this trip and the number is growing each day. Today we go back to what the kids are calling "home", Gamboa, and then we are visiting Brader school, home to our two guest students Crystel and Mafe. Brader is throwing us a little welcome party and then we're off to eat a fine dinner of Pizza in Panama City. Tomorrow its off to San Blas, the Kuna indian zone, for more reef studies and snorkeling.
Everyone is healthy, happy and blissfully tired. Fortunately, we've had plenty of internet access so I'm sure their facebook pages are full of info.