Mangaia Vet Trek
Day 1- Champing at the bit
There are some weeks when Monday-itis presents a seemingly insurmountable barrier. A busy weekend, a large sleep debt, and the thought of a whole week of work ahead can make even getting out of bed a mammoth effort. Happily, today was not one such Monday. The prospect of a week in Mangaia (southern most of the Cook Islands and one of the oldest in the pacific), taking part in the latest Esther Honey Foundation Vet Trek was more than ample motivation for an early start.
Winging our way across the wind-tossed seas with bags and boxes, cat traps and a slightly cranky cat, we owed a significant debt to Air Rarotonga for not questioning our rather preposterous amount of excess baggage. Slight trepidations about a troublingly well used emergency exit and some moderate turbulence were assuaged by the captain, who seemed more interested in the happenings in the local paper than in any impending aircraft catastrophe.
Landing on the paddock-come-airstrip, enthusiasm levels were running high amongst the team. But we soon learnt that island life moves at its own pace. A tea break preceded a leisurely visit to our surgery-to-be, after which it was time for a lunch break. A hectic afternoon schedule saw us chatting to some locals before an ‘official’ presentation I was called upon to give to a group of trainees from the Ministry of Agriculture. Talking about pig and goat husbandry and health care during prime island siesta time, I had a slight paranoia that audience might fall asleep on me. Fortunately, a lovely supportive lady in the front row (who I suspect was just there for the company) helped me along with many encouraging nods and smiles, and all was well in the end.
By the time the presentation finished and the chat wrapped up, certain members of the veterinary team were champing at the bit to do some actual veterinary work. Consequently an offer to go out and de-worm a dozen pigs was accepted with alacrity. Heading out, we should perhaps have considered the prevailing weather conditions, as the mission soon degenerated into the veterinary equivalent of mud wrestling. Slipping and sliding, grasping and grabbing, our enthusiasm eventually prevailed and there were smiles all round as we headed back to our accommodation to wash the mire off ourselves.
Day 1 tally-
12 pigs and 3 goats treated for worms.
Michelle Gray
There are some weeks when Monday-itis presents a seemingly insurmountable barrier. A busy weekend, a large sleep debt, and the thought of a whole week of work ahead can make even getting out of bed a mammoth effort. Happily, today was not one such Monday. The prospect of a week in Mangaia (southern most of the Cook Islands and one of the oldest in the pacific), taking part in the latest Esther Honey Foundation Vet Trek was more than ample motivation for an early start.
Winging our way across the wind-tossed seas with bags and boxes, cat traps and a slightly cranky cat, we owed a significant debt to Air Rarotonga for not questioning our rather preposterous amount of excess baggage. Slight trepidations about a troublingly well used emergency exit and some moderate turbulence were assuaged by the captain, who seemed more interested in the happenings in the local paper than in any impending aircraft catastrophe.Landing on the paddock-come-airstrip, enthusiasm levels were running high amongst the team. But we soon learnt that island life moves at its own pace. A tea break preceded a leisurely visit to our surgery-to-be, after which it was time for a lunch break. A hectic afternoon schedule saw us chatting to some locals before an ‘official’ presentation I was called upon to give to a group of trainees from the Ministry of Agriculture. Talking about pig and goat husbandry and health care during prime island siesta time, I had a slight paranoia that audience might fall asleep on me. Fortunately, a lovely supportive lady in the front row (who I suspect was just there for the company) helped me along with many encouraging nods and smiles, and all was well in the end.
By the time the presentation finished and the chat wrapped up, certain members of the veterinary team were champing at the bit to do some actual veterinary work. Consequently an offer to go out and de-worm a dozen pigs was accepted with alacrity. Heading out, we should perhaps have considered the prevailing weather conditions, as the mission soon degenerated into the veterinary equivalent of mud wrestling. Slipping and sliding, grasping and grabbing, our enthusiasm eventually prevailed and there were smiles all round as we headed back to our accommodation to wash the mire off ourselves.Day 1 tally-
12 pigs and 3 goats treated for worms.
Michelle Gray
posted by tumbleweed at
9:40 PM
