New Zealand
Finally it was time to say goodbye to Nelson. At the airport there were lots of tears, hugs, and tissues before we finally left. We had a smooth flight home, and arrived to be met by family and friends…
Thanks Nelson for having us! We all miss it, and want to return again! Especially to everyone [...]
Today all the students finished their classes at NMIT and spent the afternoon preparing for the farewell ceremony. This was held in the students’ centre, and featured speeches by John Hitchcock and Claire Keanes, presentations of diplomas, and then a series of presentations and songs by the students. We finished with a potluck dinner, with [...]
Today was our final activity – taking part in a pottery class at a local potters’ group. The students had a chance to create a clay pot, decorate a piece of pottery, and some had a chance to use a pottery wheel. Lots of fun, and a great chance to learn a new craft.
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A few photos from our visit to the World of Wearable Art Museum & Classic Cars [see website].
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Fire engine we met
Nice car!
The ring from “Lord of the Rings”
Close up
retro look
Cool Cadillac
View from Nelson Lookout
Titanic!
The group!
Continue reading about Day 25 – World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars
Wellington was a chance for the students to explore, shop, eat, and meet people on their own. For 2 days, they explored New Zealand’s capital city.
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Our Backpackers Hotel
Hotel
On the streets
Abbey Road?
Nice statue
At Te Papa Museum
Marae in the museum
Mural
New Zealand’s [...]
Last Friday after classes we travelled to Wellington. This involved a 2 hour 30 minute bus ride, then a 3 hour ferry ride across Cook Strait. Unfortunately, that day the wind was REALLY strong, so the crossing was very rough… most of the girls became sick. However, after we arrived and got to the hotel, [...]
As we are going to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington 3/12-3/14, there will be no blog until Sunday night or Monday morning.
We will be traveling by bus to Picton, then sailing by Interislander ferry [website] to Wellington, and staying at the Downtown Backpackers [website]. While in Wellington, we will visit New Zealand’s national museum, Te [...]
Today, we visited one of New Zealand national parks at Abel Tasman[website]… this is one of New Zealand’s most popular parks because of its golden beaches, beautiful weather, and places to enjoy hiking, kayaking and other outdoor sports. We went in by Aqua Taxi, and were treated to some wild water play, and a chance [...]
After classes today, we visited Founders’ Park [website]… a historical site where many of the old buildings from Nelson have been moved and preserved. The students all performed a quiz while Gertrude and I tested the produce from the on-site brewery
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Today the 1st year students had a chance to meet my parents. After our trip to Founders’ Park, everyone came back to my place to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea together. My parents said our students are delightful, and they really enjoyed meeting them! Tomorrow they will come with us to Abel Tasman National Park.
Tea [...]
Tony Gray is the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of NMIT, and today we met to discuss the future of Seinan’s relationship with NMIT. It is our hope to formalise a relationship between the two institutions that will lead to greater opportunities for both students and faculty.
Tony Gray – CEO
After yesterday’s class on Maori culture with Kim, today he took us to the local Whakatu Marae [see website], the meeting area for Nelson’s iwi (tribal groups). First we experienced a powhiri (formal welcome) – we were called onto the marae grounds by one of the elders, then we all sat inside the wharenui meeting [...]
In preparation for our visit to the marae (Maori meeting house) tomorrow, Kim Hippolite gave us an introductory lecture on Maori culture and marae protocol. We ended with a practice session on how to do the hongi greeting (where two people gently touch noses).
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Wow, hard to believe we’ve been here 2 weeks! Half our time in New Zealand is gone! Today was a free day, so most of us went to the weekly Nelson Market… this is a special market with 100s of stalls selling only handmade things such as food, vegetables, jewelry, clothing, and so on.
In the [...]
