9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1986 - Page 0096
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 1986 |
| Transcription |
THE 9TH/IZTH ROVAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL A LANCER IN A LOIN CLOTH EX RALEIGH July 4th. I985. A squeal of tyres and the Jumbo Jet was down on the runway at Honolulu airport. Hawaii. It had been a sixteen hour flight. and Wolfen~ buttel could not have been further away. This was SERIOUS EREl 1 was the Second-in-Command of the four month Hawaii phase of Operation Raleigh. This four year round-theworld Expedition is aimed at young people from all backgrounds. The Directing Staff were often Servicement. and I had been fortunate in obtaining one of the two 05 positions on the phase. After three days recovering (most pleasantly) from jet lag. I flew with my group of fourteen ‘venturers‘ to the island upon which were to work. There are eight islands in the American state of Hawaii — the capital Honolulu is on the island of Oahu. Pearl Harbour and Maikiki are also on that island. We were to work on Big Island. some two hun- dred miles away. The flight took over an hour. and we were “leid” upon arrival by some beautiful girls. (In other words. we had flower garlands put around our necks!) Straight away we were driven to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. where we were to be based. I there met the Expedition Phase Leader. John Town— send — a retired naval Lieutenant Com- mander. The islands are 2500 miles away from any other land. and as such provide an unequalled opportunity to study natur- al evolution. Man has sadly influenced this, and non-indigenous plants and animals have been introduced which have an adverse effect on the ecosystem. The National Park Service endeavours to remove these un-natural influences. The work carried out fell into two cate- gories. Firstly. erection of fences in dense rainforest to keep wild pigs and goats out of the Park. where they cause so much damage to the groundcover. The animals were subsequently hunted. The pigs were tracked by dogs; cornered. and then killed. The goats were nomially Capt Nigel Stafford with friend. Miss Hawaii ‘85? shot from helicopters. although they came to know and fear the noise and would take cover every time a helicopter flew overhead! Secondly. working under experienced botanists. to remove non-indigenous plants. which were spreading to such an extent that they were swamping native species. Thirty three tons of kahili ginger root alone were removed as part of this programme. This meant walking long distances on a compass bearing; finding and uprooting plants; and then carrying out the roots. It was extrtemely hard work! Weekends were free for adventure training and cultural visits. Activities included the ascent of MAUMA LOA, |
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