The Robins are building. There are at least two different ones as far as I could tell. I made them a little mud pit to help (and watch). Just soil, water, leaves and roots.
seen from Italy

seen from France
seen from France
seen from France
seen from United States

seen from France
seen from France
seen from Italy

seen from France
seen from Russia

seen from Malaysia
seen from Germany

seen from Malaysia

seen from Netherlands
seen from Vietnam
seen from China
seen from Russia
seen from Australia
seen from United States

seen from Malaysia
The Robins are building. There are at least two different ones as far as I could tell. I made them a little mud pit to help (and watch). Just soil, water, leaves and roots.
Kia Ora friends, family members, and those who might of stumbled across this blog completely on accident. I’d like to start out by giving a personal shout-out to my dad (Phil Long) for being the first ever commentator on my blog!! *cue confetti* I appreciate the support.
As requested, I’ll delve further into our group excursion to Rotorua last Saturday.
Geysers
view of the geysers from afar
large fern
Honestly, it’s been three days since we got back and I’m still not over it. When we stepped off the bus, it was as if we time-traveled to a Mesozoic Era jungle, equipped with giant ferns (so large they could be trees) and sulfurous mud pits. I’d been itching to ditch the urban Auckland scene for a while, and this trip more than satisfied my need for nature.
Our Māori guide led us through the geothermic valley, enlightening us on the culture and history of his people who have lived off this land for generations. He talked about the health benefits of the mud (even though it smelled like rotten eggs), how to cook fish via geysers, and the importance of what they do to care for the environment (we were able to see their kiwi bird rehabilitation center, but unfortunately I was unable to take any pictures due to the bird’s sensitivity to light).
He also talked about the rebirth of the Māori culture. The indigenous people of New Zealand have struggled to revitalize their language and cultural practices in the face of European colonization and racism, a trend that is sadly common throughout the world.
The institutions at Rotorua seek to educate Māori people (as well as Pakeha) so that they can take what they’ve learned and bring it back to their local tribes so that the knowledge becomes more widespread. They have schools that teach traditional wood carving, bone carving, weaving, and tattooing, as well as a fantastic interactive museum where you are welcome to talk to the masters of those arts as they work on their projects.
Traditional Wood-Carving
Work-shop
A Waka (traditional canoe)
All in all, if you have the chance to visit Rotorua, I’d highly recommend doing so. You will get a taste of the wild bio-diversity that New Zealand has to offer, as well as insight on its native people. Tomorrow I’ll talk more about Mount Eden, Myer’s Park, and my city adventures.
So until then (as always),
Yeah Ma, I’m Still Alive
Rotorua: The Second Lake Kia Ora friends, family members, and those who might of stumbled across this blog completely on accident.
Horses are cancelled.
ive been wanting to take a well earned break after school and working on my manga for awhile, so ive gotten back to playing some games (mostly on roblox) when i was playing the mud pit (which is a ww1-inspired rougelike game where u and 20 other people play as soldiers defending a trench), ive learned some very important lessons after i and many others have died, funnily enough, and id like to share them from what i understood
"its not about how you will survive, its about how we survive" "when it comes to a never-ending war, it would be rare to find peace, quiet and beauty. whether its with yourself or others, it doesnt matter. cherish it, hold onto it until the day you die, no matter how small and fleeting it is." "even if you have to die for a meaningless battle that spans over and over again, you will never die alone. even if it means that you will be the last one left, the souls of your allies cheer on, for you have given more purpose to them than those in power"
those are some things that ive thought were insightful, ive taken some really nice pictures below for if anyone wants to see
dude i just need to wallow in a mud pit
Coffee Hour
THE MUD PIT, 05/02/2025
For years the area next to the garage has turned into a quagmire every time it rains. We never really knew how to fix it, so finally bit the bullet, hired a landscaping outfit to come and transform it into a beautiful and functional space.
My Stunt Double du Jour is standing in for the actual laborers who did the work.
Barbara had a terrible nightmare where she was sinking in a mud pit.
We're all too good looking to get dirty!