We just returned from a 2-day statistics course at the Institute in Revelstoke. In the evenings we hiked around. Here we're at the top of Revelstoke Mountain National Park, where Miranda is botanizing. The views of the Rockies were spectacular. But the fresh bear poo on the trails made me just a bit nervous.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Story of Creepy Crawly
Nemy and her friends recite a story about "Creepy Crawly" and his friend "Beautiful"
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tibet - the final days
With field work all done, we had a couple of days left for touring around. The plan was to drive from Linzhi to Lhasa (the centre of everything for Tibetans). Of course this meant an eight hour drive up hill to about 4000 m above sea level.
The landscape along the way was drier and drier as we got closer. and the ride was so bouncy I don't believe I actually touched my seat.
Finally we got to Lhasa. The Potala Palace is hard to miss, towering above the city. We toured inside, but were not allowed to take pictures. The residence of the Dalai Lama. It must really suck for him not to be able to live there. The place is pure gold inside, with many chapels, halls, schools for religious training, with tombs for all the previous Dalai Lamas, Buddhas everywhere.
Next, a visit to Johkang Temple. Tibetans make the pilgrimage to this temple at least once in their lifetime, by walking (or prostrating up and down along the way) from wherever they live. The trip can take anywhere from 1-5 years, depending on what province in China they live in. Many don't make it. We had to be very careful driving to Lhasa in the dark.
Once they do make it, they then need to prostrate up and down 180 000 times (not kidding. They count using beads).
Endless shops
Getting ready to drink Yak Butter Tea. I even took an extra sip, just to be sure. Not my cup of tea.
On the last day, we decided to drive drive another 5 hours north of Lhasa to visit Nam Tso, a giant saltwater lake that sits at 5000 m above sea level. The further away from Lhasa, the more obvious it was that Tibetans are nomadic in nature.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Field work in Tibet
Following a tour of the farmlands, and a couple of seminars in Beijing, I was off to the airport headed for Tibet. There is no direct flight to Linzhi, Tibet where we were to do some field work. Thus we had to connect through Chengdu (the capital of Szechuan province).
Spent one night in Chengdu. How could I have never heard of this city? I feel so ignorant. It is a very modern city of 10 million people. Reminds me of Manhattan. The local food is highly spicy (Szechuan cuisine), the best of all food I had in China. This is also the place to visit if you're interested in the Giant Panda, as they live in a few mountain ranges nearby.
The next morning flew to Linzhi, Tibet. This is the lowest elevation in Tibet - 3000 m above sea level. It's highly recommended to spend a day or so here before heading to higher elevations. Yes, breathing was a challenge. Always short of breath, heart beating fast and headaches.
The goal was to collect soil and plant samples along this elevation gradient. The different zones are clear in this picture. Bottom (mixed deciduous forest), above that (conifer forest), above that (shrub highland), above that (meadow highland), above that (no sampling-exteme environment).
Our field vehicles. Sampling starts from the top (at 5000 m above sea level). Very difficult to work, as oxygen is much lower. Walking and moving very slow. I only lasted half an hour before collapsing in the van for a nap. And even though we were so high, the Hymalayan peaks in the distance were a reminder that we weren't really all that high after all. That's Namjagbarwa Peak in the distance (at about 8000 m above sea level, not that much below Everest which was nearby. On the other side of those mountains - India.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
China - first few days
I just back from a two week trip to China. Both Facebook and Blogger are banned over there, so I could not post anything. I'll add a few posts over the next few days.
After 1 day in Beijing, I spent the next couple of days in Quzhou (4-hour drive to the south) situated in the North China Plains, to check out some research plots and also some extension work with local farmers (mainly winter wheat).
One of many experimental field sites. This area is flat!
My hosts from The China Agricultural University
The audience...it felt intimidating.....
A visit to a local farmer's land. Intercropping winter wheat with watermelon. Never heard of that before.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Bonnie
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