Adventures - venturing nature ( part 1)

The environmental leadership program that I am going through for 5 weeks in the United States offers me a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities  ( besides the workshops, field trips and what not ). All though I am not a physically tough a person, I still love to do adventures activities. Since day one, till now, I have gone through things that I never even taught I will do. All though I am not able to be the "outstanding adventurous guy" , I gave it try and do my level best. Apparently, wish I could have done better!

The purpose of all this outdoor activity is not plain pleasure, stress relief or just to fill in the blanks.  It has a purpose.  Even though some of the activities were optional, they are meant to bring us closer to Mother Nature, enhance our leadership traits and of course these activities serve as test for our physical, mental and emotional strength.

I still remember this moment vividly. It was my 1^st day here in Hawaii; we went to a private beach side, behind our program coordinator’s apartment.  It’s along Waikiki Beach, but it's not so crowded and there is more privacy. Despite the fact that I don’t swim, I went canoe surfing in the Pacific Ocean! (with a life jacket of course)

We call it team surfing as there were 4 of us in the canoe, 2 trainers, Win- a fellow participant from Thailand and myself. The trainers were kind enough to take in both of us, who don’t swim! It‘s was an awesome experience when our canoe got flipped in the middle of the ocean when we were hit by a huge wave. The Hawaiians called it the ‘hooli’. Thank God and our skilled trainers, all of us managed to get back on board and yeah we are still alive!

This was my 1st view of Hawaiian Beach

The wave could go much higher, like 3-5 meters in average

This is what canoe surfing is! check  out Hawaii Beachboys FB  fan page

Take home lesson from Canoe surfing:

• If you are not peddling accordingly, you are not going anywhere. Work with your team mate.
• A good leader needs to know how to follow instructions.
• Timing is important. Do the right thing on the right time.
• Waves will never stop; similarly you should never give up to stumbling blocks if you would like taste succeess.

We were also fortunate to hike Diamond Head, which is the most recognized landmark known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. The unique profile of Diamond Head sits prominently near the edge of Waikiki's coastline. The 0.8 mile hike from trail head to summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor.

Check out the view! but this is not the top yet.

It would be much more nicer in real than this pic.

Birds eye view from the top of Diamond Head

Take home lesson from Diamond Head hike.

• Just like the ups and downs of a hill, life is not smooth. Threat those moments equally.
• Invasive species issues are one of major problem in Hawaiian Islands, where the native species faces a threat of extinction as the invasive species colonizes the islands. Know what you plant and where you plant it. Planting an invasive species may not be friendly to the native specious.

When you say "I can’t swim" in the Hawaiian Islands, you will surely get a strange stare- basically they look at you as though you said ‘I don’t know how to eat!’ Not knowing how to swim is like a ‘crime’ here! :( But thanks to Cat Harris, a marine biology student from University of Hawaii Manoa and my program volunteer who helped us with Waikiki Aquarium visit and took us snorkeling for free! Thanks and hugs Cat!    

We felt that the Waikiki Aquarium visit and the snorkeling was significant that we actually decided to take the Coral Conservation as part of our 1^st assignment. 

Some vital  information about corals at Waikiki Aquarium

Some of them have been around for a quite long time, like for a hundred years!

Waikiki Aquarium is one of the few places in the world where corals are conserved artificially!( they make corals)

Take home lesson from Snorkeling along the Waikiki Beach.

• Corals are badly affected by coral bleaching- implication of climate change.
• Most tourists basically don’t care about the corals- corals are not just ornamental.
• Respect nature- don't disturb the ecosystem or soon it will disturb you.Corals are protecting the shores from strong waves

Part 1 ends here, hopefully I shall finish the part 2 and 3 share it here soon. If you think what this is not adventurous enough, just wait for part 2&3.