BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Caltech Alumni - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Caltech Alumni
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Caltech Alumni
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20280312T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20281105T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270305T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260626T185224Z
CREATED:20260219T174327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T185224Z
UID:39391-1804204800-1805673599@www.alumni.caltech.edu
SUMMARY:New Zealand: Land of the Long White Cloud
DESCRIPTION:From Harbors to Fiords\nBegin in Auckland\, set between two natural harbors shaped by volcanic geology and maritime trade\, where a guided introduction and curator-led visit to the Auckland Museum provide context on Maori taonga and cultural history. Continue to Wellington for panoramic views from Mount Victoria and an evening exploration of Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary\, an ambitious urban conservation project focused on restoring endemic species. \nCross Cook Strait to the South Island and arrive in the Marlborough wine region\, where climate and terrain converge to produce world-class vintages. Travel along the Kaikoura coast for a whale-watching excursion in nutrient-rich waters influenced by deep ocean currents before continuing to Christchurch\, a city balancing heritage and post-earthquake innovation. \nBoard the TranzAlpine Train across the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps\, then walk through temperate rain forest to view Franz Josef Glacier\, where geology and climate intersect in dramatic fashion. Conclude in Queenstown with visits to Arrowtown\, panoramic views from Bob’s Peak\, and a cruise through Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. This small-group journey features first-class accommodations\, expert guides and lecturers\, immersive cultural experiences\, and a comprehensive meal plan with wine at dinner. \n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				Stay Connected\nAccurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs globally are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu. \n \n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n					Alex Sessions\n					\n					Nico and Marilyn van Wingen Professor of Geobiology \nAlex Sessions is the Nico and Marilyn van Wingen Professor of Geobiology in Caltech’s Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. An organic geochemist by training\, Sessions is the author of more than 100 scientific publications on paleoclimate\, the marine carbon cycle\, microbial ecology\, and ancient life on Earth. \nHis research uses the stable isotope compositions of organic molecules recovered from cells\, water\, and rocks as tracers of microbial metabolic activity\, helping reveal how microbes interact with the physical world around them. His fieldwork has taken him around the world\, including to New Zealand. \nSessions directed the International Geobiology Course from 2017 to 2023\, leading 16 graduate students each summer through Owens Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada to study the region’s geobiology. He also led field trips to New Zealand for graduating GPS students in 2015 and 2024\, exploring the unique geology of this tectonically active region. \nAs a geologist and avid outdoors enthusiast\, Sessions calls New Zealand his favorite playground and looks forward to sharing it with Techer travelers.\n					\n				\n			\n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				Learn More
URL:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/event/new-zealand-land-of-the-long-white-cloud/
CATEGORIES:Techer Alumni Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Untitled-1500-x-500-px-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Caltech Alumni Relations":MAILTO:info@alumni.caltech.edu
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR