Amazing Geodes

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March 6, 2002

Not far from Christchurch there are huge geodes that have washed out of the hillside that borders the beach. Our bus pulled into the parking area. Everyone got out and followed our guide along a boardwalk and down a set of wooden steps. The view that confronted us made us gasp in amazement. There littered on the beach were hundreds of huge round geodes. Never in my life had I imagined such a sight.

We were fortunate enough to have a geologist with us on the trip. He looked at them with amazement and from the way they were shaped was sure of their kind and the way they must have been formed. He had never heard of this grouping in New Zealand. He proceeded to explain the entire scenario to us. Later on the walk we found a very good explanation posted on the top of the cliff. He had been correct in each tiny detail of what he had told us. During our trip the rest of us often consulted him with other questions about rocks, land forms, etc. Since New Zealand is one of the most active geological sites in the world with earthquakes almost a daily happening and many volcanoes, geysers, etc. we were full of questions. His presence and vast knowledge made our trip even nicer than Elderhostel could have planned. This is one of the pluses about Elderhostel. Most of the people who make the trips are very interesting and know a lot of important information. When it is information about something that you know nothing about and it turns out to be a plus on the trip, that is just icing on the top of a delicious cake.

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Photos

What an amazing sight!
These things look like giant turtles coming into land or something from outer space invading the planet!

There were hundreds of geodes
In all sizes from merely big to huge.

Comments

[Aileen]

That's SO cool!
Thanks for sharing your journies! The one picture looks like HUGE turtles with their heads under the water ..... amazing stuff. Glad you're having a magical time!