Since I started my job in geophysical surveying, lots have people have asked me questions about the niche, mysterious field. I recently took a first aid course, and the instructor said, “I’ve heard about geologists and exploration folks taking these courses but you’re the first one I’ve taught myself. Cool.” I felt like a collectable … Continue reading Up there in the north in British Columbia
Category: Travel
I love to travel. I also love to share my thoughts on cultural differences, food, friends, love, cool bugs, and great mountains.
Sub-arctic adventures
In my first adventure in surveying, I heard many things about an annual survey done at a sub-arctic mining camp. The tall tales made me tremble in apprehension at the thought of getting sent there. “You have to dig your snowmobile out of six feet of snow every morning, and for the rest of the … Continue reading Sub-arctic adventures
Archaeological Parks in the Andes
While in Peru, I also went to Cusco and Machu Picchu (can’t skip the touristing). Before going, I presumptuously thought that I didn’t need to go to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Why go all that way to look at ruins, the way they look in a postcard, take a picture of yourself there, like you’re … Continue reading Archaeological Parks in the Andes
A Glimpse of Life in Lima
Disclaimer: people mentioned by name or featured in photographs in this blog post gave consent to be featured. In December of last year I took a long-awaited trip to Peru to see my friend from high school (and also to see Peru). I took a pit stop in Texas to visit my grandmother and … Continue reading A Glimpse of Life in Lima
Air Canada
Not-so-recently I flew Air Canada from Toronto to Chicago (on the first leg of the journey to Alaska. This story is a bit of a departure from my usual travel blog, but it’s been nine months and I’m still thinking about it. I arrived at the airport, my two-checked bags and carry-on in hand, and … Continue reading Air Canada
Found Gold and I’ll tell you where
Less than a month into my Alaska adventures, I had to go on a side-quest to obtain an SSN. The US government is unique in many respects, one of which is that they make it quite hard to get an SSN, even if you are a citizen. After many phone calls with the Social Security … Continue reading Found Gold and I’ll tell you where
Snowmobiling in Saskatchewan
The apocalypse happens. Who do you want as your best friend: a farmer, or the lead computer scientist at Apple? Recently I spent a month and a half in northern Saskatchewan, doing geophysical surveying to look for mineral resources. Cold, cold, cold Saskatchewan was quite the experience! First, we drove 6 hours north of Saskatoon … Continue reading Snowmobiling in Saskatchewan
Duck Mountain
Around the fish hatchery there were plenty of bear trails (and human trails) ripe for exploration. One popular trail started behind a permanent staff members house, went up a hill in a steep climb, and then wrapped around a small pond, through some brush, along a lake, and came back out again at the other … Continue reading Duck Mountain
An Adventure in Alaska
At the beginning of this year, I faced my last full-time semester of university. The semester took me through a rollercoaster of emotions as I grappled with the end of my identity as a student. Who would I be now? How would I fill my time? What was life really about if not getting good … Continue reading An Adventure in Alaska
Orchid Island/ Lanyu (May 2023)
My experiences with flying fish, local festivals, environmental sampling, and visiting all the schools on Orchid Island!
Serena Around the World 