Aloha - Can't stop grinning.

[batema (Mark)]

Hi,

It has finally arrived. The eve before my mate and I fly to Hawaii for a 10 day teacher professional development. We leave tomorrow night from Sydney and arrive Friday lunchtime in Honolulu where we have the afternon to ourselves after an initial tour. Surfing at the main beach is on the menu. We tour the volcano national park and a few other places before commencing the two day course on teaching and engaging students in the field of astronomy and cosmology.

On Wednesday we head up Mauna Kea to 14000 ft for a tour of the Gemini North Observatory before heading back down for an evening of viewing at a telescope observing area.

A few more day touring and then back to Australia and into the classroom.

Yahoo.

Mark

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

You lucky bugger Mark. Have a hoot Mate. And you too Adam. I can just imagine your grin. I wish I was coming with you.

I guess the bureaucracy finally get its gears into action . I want to hear all about it when you guys get back.

Have a fantastic time

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

You two will have a ball!
We need lots of pictures too.
Have a safe journey!

[sasup (Stacey)]

I grew up there and its a great spot. Remember to bring some warm stuff for mauna kea, it can snow but its early in the season. Surfing on the south shore will be hit and miss this time of year but sandy beach should have a ripple or two. If not there try the east side for wind swell.

[multiweb (Marc)]

How cool is that!... Yeah make sure you take plenty of pics. Have fun.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by batema

On Wednesday we head up Mauna Kea to 14000 ft for a tour of the Gemini North Observatory before heading back down for an evening of viewing at a telescope observing area.

Pardon my ignorance but do you have to acclimatise going up to 14000ft?

Dang..there is not icon for the envy I feel...so I will give you

[batema (Mark)]

Hans they say you do have to acclimatise so the plan is to stop half way up for an hour or a little longer and then continue. We did have to sign a waver and it was strongly recommended to seek advice from our doctors re health. All Ok.

[Liz]

Have an excellent time Mark ... how exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look forward to hearing all about it when you get back, and piccies.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

If there are no pictures it never happened.

Adrian
(wonder if I can get PD for a junket like this, I am sure i can find something to do with engineering on the beaches on Hawaii)

[TrevorW]

Hows this teacher development, just another taxpayer funded junket if you ask me

ps: do you have the room for a man sized trunk

pps: I'll pay the excess baggage

ppps:

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Here''s a hoot of a picture of Adam at Rainbow Falls.
From their blog here. http://www.qastronomy.org/index.php?page=photo&id=76