In Search of Giant Squid
March 14, 1997 - Ingrid
Our final days here in Kaikoura are drawing to a close. The weather
for the past 6 days has been either rainy, very windy or both. The
extreme swells and the chop are very unsafe for a kayak to approach a
sperm whale and have prevented the Crittercam team from going out.
For me, this quiet time has been a rare time for introspection and a chance to digest all the wonderful experiences we have had as an expedition team and as guests in New Zealand.
The members of the team, although they knew of each other's work and
had spoken over the phone, had never worked together, with the
exception of Malcolm and Clyde who have been colleagues and friends
since 1963.. Each is a highly regarded expert in his field, and I
thought that tensions might arise aboard the small research boat.
However, my concerns were needless.
Although the sum total of IQ's on
the Tanekaha was enough to sink a ship twice its size, the group was
the most congenial we have ever worked with. No one took himself too
seriously, and the good-natured banter between expedition team members
and ship's crew kept spirits high. The common goal was to film the
elusive giant squid and each member made a specific contribution to
reach that goal. Each shared in the joys, disappointments and
accomplishments of the day, and appreciated the importance of each new
discovery. I was sad to see each research phase come to an end and to
have to say goodbye to new acquaintances and now colleagues.
The people of New Zealand are, without a doubt, the friendliest people I have ever met. Everyone is eager to be helpful, and not just because we're foreigners, either. It's their very nature to be friendly. The clerks in stores, the waitresses in cafes and restaurants, the tellers at the bank, the pedestrians in town, all greet you with a smile and with politeness. We have met new friends nearly every day, and we feel very much at home here in Kaikoura.
I have become very comfortable with the walking and the driving on the
left side. Now I hardly ever turn the windshield wiper on instead of
the turn signal. I remember to look right first, instead of left, when
crossing the street. My next concern is my first day on the road back
home. One aspect of driving I never got used to was entering an
intersection, especially a 5-road intersection, as there is at the far
end of Kaikoura. I still haven't sorted out who has the right of way
there. Lucky for me, and everyone else, Kaikoura is rural and the
drivers throughout New Zealand are very patient with European/American
wrong-side drivers.
I've learned to say "tea" instead of evening dinner, "takeaway" instead of take-out, "brilliant" instead of correct, "ta" for thank you, "good as gold" for everythings OK, "ring" or "give a bell" to call on the phone, "queue" for waiting in line, "togs" for a bathing suit, "entree" for an appetizer, "chemist" for the drugstore, "dairy" for a 7-11 type convenience store, "hogget" for year-old lamb, and "tomato sauce" for ketchup.
Daylight savings time changes back to normal standard time this weekend. "Oh", said I, "spring - forward. You'll be turning the clocks ahead!" Pause. Strange look. Of course not! It's fall - so the clocks will be turned back. I guess I haven't been here long enough.
I look forward to returning to this lovely, friendly country that I have grown to love.
Smithsonian Giant Squid Overview Page
gene carl feldman / gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov