Surreal Experience.

So this is it guys, I am really sorry that I didn't keep up on my promise, I have only written three posts (including this one) during my time as an intern at HKDCS.  I will try to make this one as long as possible, also as fun and as interesting as possible.

Vincent was forced by the
 reporters to scan the ocean
with the legendary golden binoculars.

As title says, the past 3 months interning at HKDCS was one of the best moments in my life.  Words cannot possibly describe how much I have gained from this "surreal experience".  Everyone in the firm was absolutely professional at what they do, and from being a part of the team, I had been deeply infected with their passions in conserving dolphins in Hong Kong.  I have to be honest and say that it was not the easiest job in the world, these guys work 5 days a week, waking up at early hours when the sun has not even risen, working in the field even if it is raining; not anyone can bear these conditions.  


These hardworking people hold the key to the brighter future of the dolphins in Hong Kong and I was so lucky to be given the chance to meet these people and befriend with them all.  It is no secret that some of them are pretty unique, not necessarily in a positive way, but each and every single one of them means so much to me.  They all assisted me and taught me a lot throughout this internship.  I know I have said this a lot of times, but lots of lots of thank you to Perry and Tony (who's ditched us in Dec) who were patient enough to teach me things and offer me the guidance which I needed.  However, the best time I had spent with them was not during work, it was the silly things we do when we were off work.  From the bottom of my heart, I really hope these friendships will last for forever.

Group photo taken in Sunny Bay after a long day of cycling.

A good day in North West Lantau 

So, let me make a little recap.  I have gone from someone who had never seen any Chinese white dolphins and Indo-pacific finless porpoises, to someone who has made an effort to conserve these fascinating creatures; from someone who had no idea what a theodolite was, to someone who has partaken in countless theodolite surveys; from someone who had never been to Tai O, to someone who has been to every single land-based observation stations in one week; from someone who had never walked so many miles up and down hill just to get batteries, to someone who has done so.      
Good memories those are, and they are engraved in my heart.

             

Lastly, I would really like to thank everyone again for offering me this opportunity, not only that it has proved that there are few dedicated people who are willing sacrifice their time to help conserving animals, but also for widening my view and bringing up my interest in conservational biology.  Being someone who has been taught physiology and zoology for most of her life, I used to think conservation biology was boring.  Now i realise it is the integration of all biological disciplines that could help save an animal, not just from one solely. 

Dolphins surfacing on my very last day of work. WEEEEEH that was rewarding.

Well then, I guess this is when I should mark the end of my time at HKDCS.  Good luck to you all and please do keep up the effort.  I hope to return one day and seeing the dolphins living a better life.

P.S.: EAT LESS, HAYMEN & YUKI. ITS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.