The first surprise came upon arrival to CVA, when we were split into two pre-determined groups that we would then remain with for the week at Conservation Volunteers Australia. One group headed up to the Atherton Tablelands, to care for young trees by weeding and fertilizing, in the hope that when they reach maturity they would replenish parts of rainforest that once existed. Additionally, this would make new routes for the cassowaries to follow so they can mate and grow their dwindling population. Meanwhile, down below the Tablelands, the other group nurtured trees in a different rainforest with similar intentions and also cleaned a stretch of polluted beach. Mid-week, the groups met and worked together in the Tablelands before switching for the remainder of the week.
Our time at CVA proved to be one of the most challenging weeks of the trip. Every group member was challenged by the work and by each other in ways we hadn’t previously been tested. What we didn’t know, was that our greatest challenge still lay ahead. Upon returning to Cairns at the end of the week, it came to light that several of the group members had broken the sacred six policies. Now we were faced with our group being split again, but this time permanently.
Now four of us remain on this journey to the end, but there is not a moment that passes that we don’t wish our friends were with us. Life continues to surprise and challenge each Hongi member, and will continue to do so in our final days to come. We know that we will take all the amazing lessons we have learned on this trip so we will be better equipped to handle whatever comes our way. We wish the best to our friends who have left this journey to start new ones, and hope to finish our South Pacific journey with positivity and integrity.