SeiJo Travel

Back home!

Malcolm Swanson — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:06:38 +0000

After 24 hours of planes and airports, we arrived back at Fukuoka Airport to a wonderful welcome from family, teachers, and friends. Nice to be home but we all REALLY miss Nelson. Thanks everyone there who made it so great!

Farewell ceremony

Malcolm Swanson — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:45:35 +0000

Our final night in New Zealand – and everyone is feeling sad! At the farewell ceremony, all the students gave presentations, then received a certificate for their studies. That was followed by a feast of cakes!! We also celebrated Emiko’s 19th birthday…

We love NZ!

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:12:45 +0000

This pictures says what all of us are feeling…

I love NZ!

Rock climbing

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:10:33 +0000

Today was the final day of our activities rotation. Here are some photos from the Rock Climbing group. We’ll try and post other activities and group pictures when we get some pictures from students.

Bone carving #2

Malcolm Swanson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:53:15 +0000

Today’s great bone carvings from Erina, Yumi, Yuki, Saki, Kanae and Akane at The Bone Carver.

Bone carving #1

Malcolm Swanson — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:38:17 +0000

From Monday to Wednesday this week, the students will rotate through 3 activities in groups of 6 students: bone carving, bicycle riding, and rock climbing. Here are some photos of what Fumika, Saki, Reina, Miyuki, Ami, and Tomomi did in today’s bone carving workshop at The Bone Carver.. This is a traditional form of art developed by the Maori people, so all the design reflect that culture.

Wellington!!

Malcolm Swanson — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:06:22 +0000

Lots of photos from our 2 days in Wellington. Great fun, starting with a SCARY plane ride, then lots of time visiting attractions, shopping, and sightseeing. We stayed at Wellington Backpackers, and most of us enjoyed a few hours at the pub there. Today we came back by ferry…

Kayaking in Abel Tasman

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:14:36 +0000

Because the weather was bad last Saturday, we couldn’t go kayaking. So we raced out to Marahau this morning to spend 4 hours on the water. We were put into pairs for each kayak, and the guides from Abel Tasman Kayaks showed us how to handle them. Everyone picked it up very quickly, so we headed around the bay to Split Apple Rock, and after juice and cookies, we did a crazy standing up activity. Scary, tiring, but definitely fun!!

Horse Riding at Happy Valley

Malcolm Swanson — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:23:17 +0000

Spent a great afternoon horse riding at Happy Valley today with Darren and Kelly. All the students had a chance to ride for about 40 minutes in groups of 6. We toured through the farm, over rivers and along tracks. Lots of fun, panic, excitement, but no screams! Malcolm had to ride with each group so he is very sore!!

Centre of New Zealand – Part 2

Malcolm Swanson — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:48:47 +0000

This afternoon was spent planning for the rest of the week, so when we finished, a few of us walked up to the Centre of New Zealand again…

Tomorrow, we go horse-riding, then kayaking on Wednesday, followed by 2 days in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.