Blogs from Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 328

Today I got a pretty cool tour of one the vineyards on the island. The vineyard is called Saratoga, named after the part of California the owner came from. I was sitting at a restaurant on the beach, which is owned by the Saratoga vineyard drinking a couple beers with this American guy who stays at the hostel. Fortunately for me this American guy is a vine connoisseur/writer who has made a name for himself on the island. The owner over heard our conversation about vine and my American friends strong southern Virginian accent and sat down with us. The owner was obviously looking to show off his vineyard to my writer friend and invited us up to the vineyard. I of course jumped at the possibility of a little free alcohol and tagged along. We ... read more

OK, the update. I have now been to Peru, Chile, Easter Island and Tahiti and arrived safely in New Zealand... Peru: Huabcayo: Voluntered with an organisation called Tinkuy Peru (www.tinkuyperu.com) who also run a English school (www.andeanschool.com). While there I went to an all girls orphanage 5 days a week and taught two classes in the afternoon. It was an amazing experience and I would definatly recommend it to everyone who is interested in doing something worth while in Peru. If you are interested contact Terry and Alison (www.terryandalison.com), they are an American couple who are there for a year, so they will be happy to answer any questions about the work that goes on there. The scenery in Peru is amazing and the altitude rubbed it in how unfit I am... It make me realise ... read more

Hey guys, marc and claire would like to take this oppotunity to appologise for being officially rubbish with the blogging of late, and we (well marc probably) will update you with all of the crazy antics we have got up to very soon. But breifly after taupo our destinations went.... Whangamata - swimming, digging a hole on hot beach (a thermal hot river runs into the sea) Whitianga - Kayaking and meeting a heroic alaskan who has been a hippy on the road for what seemed like forever. Coromandel town - visiting driving creek railway - hand made by a school teacher turned lunatic. and also being privilaged to see an inprontu concert from a concert guitarist from germany who happened to be staying in the same hostel - marc was awe struck. Oponini, northland - ... read more

So a little catch up...last night I got to be the honerary girl in the boys-night-out-rugby-pub-night! I felt so freakin good! I loved it. To me this is what NZ was all about, rugby, beer and yelling! hehe Otay today...We all went to the Auckland musium and explored all they had to offer. A really inclusive collection of Maori artifacts (see pictures). I love their culture! I can not wait till to take classes dealing with the Maori (oh Maori are the native people of New Zealand). A few performers then put on a show displaying the games and native dance/song of the people. so cool, there are a lot of shared custums with the pacific islanders like Hawii, i mean makes sense i just never thought of it b4 After the museum we headed over ... read more

Day three Orientation started today…yay. I like freedom a whole lot better. But we got afternoons off so a group of us went to the Aquarium. I love aquariums. This wasn’t even close to Monterey BUT they had a 500lb sting ray who would fallow ur finger, adorable. AND they have a great penguin exhibit; there was a new baby who was more then adorable it was the perfect outing for one sun burnt girly. Till Next time... read more