Exam timetable

Looking at this screen makes me happy...




Why? Well.. simply because the exam period officially finishes on the 13th of November, while my last paper is on the 5th.. Which means I have a few days to rest before I proceed for my work experience..
On the other hand, I am abit perplexed with the time I have for revising. As you can see, each paper is pretty close to one another in terms of the dates. I am worried that I might not be able to do my revision on time. Nevertheless, I have posted up the dates. SO prayer warriors and prayer servants. Please pray.. I do still believe in prayers even though I have failed countless times. And no.. prayers doesn't give me a sense of affirmation, it gives me a sense of submission.

Mooncakes

The family had a mini moon cake festival celebration tonight.. We just couldn't miss out on what other students are experiencing on the mainland. Hehee.
So we ordered our own lotus paste plain mooncake. It was easy cause none of us like those with egg yolks in it.
Chinese Jasmine tea with Mooncakes. That's the way to go.. I was tempted to play with candles, but my housemates were not keen due to cold weather. Playing candles indoor wasn't an option either.

It was interesting how different topics can come about eating mooncakes.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the moon cakes and tea...

If there is..

If there is anything worth mentioning about this semester.. It will be the field trips that we're getting. I will be going on a field trip to a salmon farm at Wayatinah. This time round, not so much about the fish but rather the different systems used to culture it. Before I proceed with my rambling... Here are some photos of the trip down to Marine Research Centre (MRL) at Hobart.

Algae culture room:


Algae Culture bags


Massive Artemia culture:


If you see carefully.. you will be able to see the phyllosoma (larval) stage of the lobster. They are transparent looking and look pretty much like a spider. NEAT!

Nah.. the picture is too small. You can't see it.. Hahaa.. Well imagine it then!

Juvenile Eastern Rock Lobsters


Adult Eastern Rock lobster


Female Southern rock lobster carrying eggs


Juvenile Striped Trumpter.


Adult Striped Trumpter. Trumpters are considered as one of the top fish meat in Australia. Known for its excellent taste and texture and I totally agree with it. I had the opportunity to eat Fish and Chips made of Striped Trumpter during our Maria Island trip earlier this year. Excellent! Cost wise.. a bit pricey.. if not I will make it my staple protein source. Hahaa

Photos

Here are the photos.

First stop: Petuna Seafood (Just as the name suggests)


Ice machine that makes 10 tons of ice every day?


Tubs of salmon and trout for processing:



Guts and junks of processed fish coming through an conveyor belt:



Smoked salmon in process (Yummy)


Processing machinery


HOGG *Head off gilled and gutted:


Ready for shipping


Array of seafood products for sale:


Fresh blue lip mussels:


2nd destination. 41 degree S farm
A wetland concept that grows salmon, ginseng as well as for tourism purposes.























Ginseng:




It was food tasting session for us.... and it was simply too delicious..
No photos for it and you need not know the reason why.

Days of my life

The last few days hasn't really been that good. I came down with fever and was feeling unwell most of the time. Neverthless, I went for lectures, practicals and even field trip. It was part of the fin-fish module and thank God I felt much better that day. We visited Petuna Seafood processing plant at Devonport and also "41 Degree South farm" (Not sure why the name) .. Will post some pictures when I have the time.

Photos

Almost forgot the photos.

Presenting to you.. the GREAT LAKE. (Not so great. . it was low tide)


Lake Arthur:



Brown Salmon:
(Its not caught by us by the way. 4 old men caught these.)

On the way back, we saw a wild echidna.. Its so cute. Dugging into the ground the moment it hears our voice.

Fly fishing

Went fly fishing with Hugh today. We went up to the Great lake and Lake Arthur. He demonstrated how to whip the rod, 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock. It looks easy till I tried it. To be honest, it isn't easy at all. I was swinging my rod like a lasseo and it just didn't work for me. I was told that it takes a long time to master it (varying on whose's the teacher) Well...I didn't even manage to cast the fly into the water. Nevertheless, it is a good experience. An expensive one I must say, it cost me $18 for the license and $9 for the flys.

*Flys- small little plastic structures made out of feathers and beads; used for fly fishing.

Photos..

With all........over due photos.. Hahaa... here's what I owe

Salmon farm

The way to the sea cages:


Auto-feeding machine


Seacage supported by mooring and kept afloat on buoys:


More seacages


If you look carefully.. you will be able to see a shoal of puffer fish.


Under water camera for observing fish feeding behaviour and patterns.


Mt. Wellington trip





























Spring is here... Look these beautiful flowers blooming outside my house.
I am not sure of the species.. Looks like kind of "Tao Hua" , peach blossom, or even Sakura. Hahaa







Abalone farm:

Where the veligers are kept indoors:


Each of these beautiful green little thingy will grow up to become your priceless abalone aka Mutton fish or Paua (by New Zealanders)







The growout tank:

Adult abalone:




In my opinion, abalones are like giant snails.... expensive snails.