Coleman's Gap Year

Australia

colemanw — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:33:00 GMT

Hello everyone I'm on the second leg of my journey now in Australia and it's been a blast so far. I've been working on a wildlife sanctuary on kangaroo island for my first two weeks where I've fed kangaroos and koalas, helped to build trails, planted trees, and worked at the reception selling various tourist products. After this first vollunteer program I shipped out to Aerlie beach where I spent 3 days on a tall sails sailing ship. It has rained non-stop from when I got on the boat to even know 3 days after I got off. However, even with the weather as terrible as it's been I've enjoyed myself snorkling and swimming in the warm Australian waters, I even saw a Sea Turtle amongst the coral and fish that thrive in the reefs that populate the region. Now I write you this from the small town of Aerlie where I have been stuck for 3 days due to flooding, and there has been no break in the rain. But I have met a good group of travellers in the same predicament as me and I have been keeping myself occupied socializing, hopefully this rain will cease. Peace

Kwantu weeks 2-5

colemanw — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:38:00 GMT

Hello all, sorry for not keeping up with the blog but here is my kwantu report. I have spent 5 weeks here at the kwantu game reserve and overall it has been a great experience. I have chopped trees, planted trees, dug holes, patroled fences, built roads, seen rhinos, ridden elephants, held tigers, tracked leopards, been chased by lions, and tackled wildebeast. During the weekends I have spent time bonding with my fellow vollunteers, wandering the streets of port Elizabeth, and Jeffrey's bay. I even got to visit a local school, and it was very interesting to see the differences between the experience these kids grow up with, and the ones that "my kids" at cabot school have. imagine eating porridge or rice every day, and if you dont like it than you starve, you wouldnt get any utensils except maybe a ruler, and if you dont behave than you would get nothing less than a slap on the bottom. These experiences helped me to learn a lot about the world around me as well as myself and I am at a better place mentally now because of it. But here in my last week I have become a victim of tic fever, contracted through a tic bite. the disease has prevented my participance in many activities, but fortunately I am starting to recover for my final week in south africa. I look forward to sharing my new experiences with you next week, bye bye

Week 2 notification

colemanw — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:26:00 GMT

this is just a notification, I am holding back a full update til next week due to the repetitive nature of my first 4 weeks

Photos: Week 2

colemanw — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:45:00 GMT

the second week of my six week journey through south africa

Week1

colemanw — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:41:00 GMT

Hello all, I have just finished my first week of work here at Kwantu wildlife reserve, and it has been a very rewarding experience, I've held tiger cubs, and even riden elephants! The land here is beautiful, sprawling hills crawling with antelope and wildebeast, and the living quarters are great. The dorms here are not the rustic huts commonly associated with Africa, but modern, clean collectives with a kitchen and a TV. However, It's not just fun and games on Kwantu, the work is taxing and the weather drastic. So far I've dug holes for planting trees, shoveled Elephant dung, Weeded fields, Patroled perimeters (farthest i've ever walked, and it was super hot), Tallied animals, Fed Lions and Tigers, and cut down invasive trees. Keep in mind that it was always either really hot, or pouring rain. But every day after work I settle down and socialize with the other volunteers, a nice group of people (mostly from Britain, but also the U.S. and Australia). Now that the week is over we are heading to Jeffrey's Bay for the weekend, I'm very exited to visit the beach and local restaraunts, but also for the first time i'll be headed to the bar to test out the South African drinking age of 18. Cheers as everyone here says, il check in next week.

Photos: week 1

colemanw — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:02:00 GMT

My first week of work on Kwantu wildlife reserve

Arriving in South Africa

colemanw — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:33:00 GMT

After many long hours of travel I arrived in Port Elizabeth - texted Mom to let her know I got here and I'm off to sleep.

Leaving Boston

colemanw — Thu, 9 Dec 2010 05:13:00 GMT

I leave on Saturday January 8th at 1:40pm. First to Washington DC, then a short stop in Dakar and land in Johannesburg, South Africa. One more flight to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. All in all, 24 hours, 40 minutes travel time. I then spend the night in Port Elizabeth and get picked up the next day to go to the Kwantu Game Reserve - where I will spend the next 5 weeks.