Bay of Islands Pictures

Day One:

Day 2:

Day Three:

Bay of Islands/Bay of Fun (copyright Cassie)

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Kia Ora Everyone!! (hi everyone in Maori)  These last four days have been INCREDIBLE! I took my very first trip with two good friends, Cassie and Allison.  We headed to the far north for our four-day Easter Holiday from school!  On Saturday morning we boarded the Naked Bus, yes I still can’t get over the name! After sitting in hours of traffic leaving Auckland city, we finally arrived in Paihia, which is nestled in the Bay of Islands.  The night we arrived we met up with “The Two Morgan’s” who are also in our program and hit the town to unwind and enjoy!! Here is how this incredible adventure went from here:

Day One:

            We woke up early on Sunday to explore.  We had scheduled tours for Monday and Tuesday but had absolutely no plans for this day.  With thousands of ideas in mind, we headed first to Haruru Falls.  These waterfalls were absolutely stunning and we were even able to stand at the top with our feet in the water! What a rush to feel that water gushing over the cliff and to stand right on the edge (sorry mom and dad)! After taking millions of pictures and contemplating jumping off the cliff into the water (thank god a kayaker below told us there were rocks at the bottom) we headed off for adventure #2!

            We drove a little further than the falls to Kaitomo Glowworm Caves.  New Zealand plays host to some of the only glowworms in the world.  As we hiked deeper into the caves with our lanterns, we were instructed to turn them off (bad time to say I have always been scared of the dark and to this day still sleep with a nightlight on my cell phone)! The cave was filled with little blue “stars” made from the glowworms.  It looked like I stood three feet from the Milky Way.  I was amazed! Our tour guide also pointed out an eel that was swimming under the walkway stream-never thought I would hate something more than a snake until meeting this thing.  What an incredible experience!

            We then left “The Morgan’s” and headed to the beach for some R&R.  There is nothing better than napping on a sandy beach with turquoise water in front of you! Cassie and I decided we needed just a little more adventure in our day and headed out to kayak in the open ocean! We paddled to a nearby island and all around the bay.  I even jumped out of my kayak for the first time!! It was incredible!! Swimming in the deep ocean was electrifying and terrifying all at once! I loved it!!  The rest of the night was spent having dinner out and a movie in, preparing for our extra long tour the next day!

Day Two:

            On Monday Cassie and I woke up early to catch our 7:15am bus for our 90 mile beach, sand dune riding, Cape Reinga and Mangingangina Forest tour!  We boarded the bus and immediately knew this was going to be an amazing day! Our bus driver greeted us and began telling us what to expect as we made our way to the northern most habitable point in New Zealand, Cape Reinga.  This journey would take us on 90 mile beach, which is actually only 64 miles with many legends as to why the discrepancy of name, but I won’t bore you.  As we began our journey our guide warned us that they have lost buses in the past because of rough waters on 90 mile beach.  You see, we have to drive directly on the beach in order to make it to our proper destinations.  At this point I was a little nervous and exhilarated!

            After our morning tea stop (I am getting quite used to this tradition) we made our way through the gorgeous New Zealand landscape and finally to 90 mile beach.  As we entered the sand I didn’t know what to expect! Then we took off!!! We were flying through sand and surf as the MASSIVE waves reached up and under the bus! It was incredible!!! We were even able to get out at one point and take pictures.  I put my feet into the Tasman Sea for the first time!

            Our next stop was Sand boarding! Now this was exhausting. Our bus chose to do the hardest dune, which took nearly 15 minutes straight vertical to climb! But Cassie and I were not going to chicken out of this, especially when seeing old ladies do it.  We huffed and puffed and finally made it to the top for some of the most spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and Dunes.  Then we were off on our boards! WE FLEW!!! I tried to slow down so much that all the nail polish on my toes was burned off…that’s how fast we were going! So much fun and such a thrill, even though I now desperately need a pedicure!!  Our next stop was lunch on the Tasman Sea.  I had never seen such gorgeous waters.

            Finally we made it to my favorite spot, Cape Reinga.  This is the most sacred place in New Zealand.  The Maori people believe that Cape Reinga is where the spirits of loved ones journey to to depart into the afterlife.  Our guide gave us such a moving explanation that both Cassie and I teared up thinking about our recently departed loved ones.  As we entered into Cape Reinga our guide gave a prayer in Maori to invite our loved ones with us on our journey.  It was beautiful and made me think of my grandma.  As we hiked to the top hill and stood over the cliff looking into the Tasman Sea and the gorgeous landscape 150 meters below, Cassie and I were silent.  I could feel the presence of my grandma with me, and although I don’t believe in Maori Gods, I prayed to my God and thanked him for my beautiful grandmother. It was really a powerful moment. Although grandma barely got to see the parking lot of Canada (thanks to grandpa haha) I know she was with me in the most beautiful place on earth, seeing the sights that literally took my breath away.

            We finally made it to the northern most point at Cape Reinga.  Did you know I was closer to the South Pole than I was to LA?! If that doesn’t make me feel far from home I don’t know what does! We ended our journey with fish and chips at a local restaurant and a final hike to the Mangingangina Forest.  This forest holds trees that live for 3,000 years.  They don’t even mature until they are 800 years old.  Legend has it that hugging this tree with gives you energy.  Having spent nearly 10 hours traveling, Cassie and I thought a hug was just what we needed! I got to hug a tree that is 800 years old and HUGE!! It was actually a lot of fun and very sappy, pun intended.

            We ended the day exhausted and yet knew we had another full day ahead so we went to bed early again and ready for our next adventures!

Day Three:

            We woke up on Tuesday and packed before heading off for our Dolphin Cruise on the notorious Dolphin Seeker Yacht!  I was so excited I couldn’t contain myself! I warned the girls that I would live up to the “loud and annoying American tourist” stereotype today because I LOVE dolphins!  As we set off we took a journey among the 144 different islands in the Bay of Islands.  The views were absolutely stunning and I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor as my camera was pressed to my face the whole time.  We started sitting on the top of the boat, but Allison and I grew adventurous and decided we wanted more action.  We moved to the front deck where every move the boat made you could feel and the ocean was just a foot from you!  We ended up riding the rest of the day in this spot, which was thrilling! The wind and the speed nearly knocked you off balance, but I still say we had the best spot in the house!

            After being at the front only a few minutes we came across a pod of dolphins.  Usually a pod out here is only 10-15 dolphins.  We came across a pod that had over 50 dolphins or more!!! Everywhere you looked you could see them! I was so excited I screamed, literally and everyone stared but I didn’t care because I finally got to see WILD DOLPHINS!!! They were beautiful and so majestic! It made my day just to ride on the boat, let alone come across one of the biggest pods of dolphins our skipper had ever seen! Such a cool experience. I’ve learned just how beautiful our world is.

            We then went to the hole in the rock, which is the largest hole in a rock in the Southern Hemisphere! We even got to drive the boat through it! This was so interesting and actually really cool.  I want to know how there is such beauty here.  Our last stop on our tour was at a little island where we were able to get off, have some carrot cake and put our feet in the clearest water I have ever see.  You could see for meters down into the water! Cassie and I got our feet wet and picked up gorgeous shells to bring home!

            After our tour we went across the bay to Russell, which is the first settled place in New Zealand.  It holds the first church and many more firsts for this country.  We shopped for souvenirs and relaxed.  As we were sitting near the dock we watched kids jumping off the dock into the water.  It looked like a lot of fun so  Allison and I decided, “when in Rome” and climbed on top high wooden pillars on the dock.  If we were going to jump off the dock, we were going to do it in the most adventurous way possible!  It took a lot of convincing and Allison going first to test the waters before I jumped off the 8 foot pillar into the ocean! We did it twice and it was such a fun way to end our trip.  With the sea salt clinging to me on the ferry ride back to Paihia, our trip came to an end.  We changed, had lunch and loaded our Naked Bus for home.

             I am so blessed to have gotten to be in such a gorgeous place with some great friends.  I cannot wait for our next adventure together!  I’m going to sleep tonight with a light heart and a mild sunburn.  Sweetest Dreams from New Zealand!! xoxoxox  

Hoosiers and Snapper

         This week has been a whirlwind but to keep it short I will just tell you about the fun stuff!!! Today was Good Friday and because Easter is celebrated here, yes even by the schools J, we had the day off!    Because of the lovely day off I was able to meet my friends Cassie and Sam out at a pub to watch the IU game! We were obnoxious and annoying and I know the other customers were wondering why we were cheering at the TV, but it didn’t matter because I got to see my Hoosiers play and unfortunately lose.  Somehow I think it was better for me to be halfway across the world in a pub on the beach, than at home at Nicks or Sports for this slightly disappointing game.  And yet I missed that energetic atmosphere and can almost guarantee Cassie and Sam did too.  After drinks and the game I came home for a delicious steak dinner and a movie with my host family. 

            While watching the movie we were interrupted by a knock at the door.  One of the neighbors was asking to weigh a snapper he caught while deep sea fishing this afternoon…I am still amazed that I am close enough to the sea to have fisherman as neighbors!!! All the kids immediately ran out the door to see the catch and without thinking I followed.  Once my brain caught up to what I was doing I realized I must look like an eight year old, giddy to see her first fish!!! And the worst part is, I didn’t care! We ran next door to catch a glimpse of the biggest red snapper I have ever seen! It was 14.5lbs!!! HUGE!! And again I say, I am such a tourist and again I don’t care! I was amazed and thought it might be the coolest thing ever!! Then I listened to the men talk about how they go out every weekend and this huge fish is very common.  But to me, this fish was cool enough and uncommon enough to make my blog!!

            Although this week as been great, I am so glad it is over! There’s been a lot of stress these last few weeks over things some of you know about.  I am just glad it’s over for now and am treating myself by escaping Auckland!!! Tomorrow Cassie and I leave on the Naked Bus (I’ve been warned not to take this name literally) for the Bay of Islands up north! I will be swimming with dolphins, taking cruises and laying on the beach for this extra long 5 day Easter break! I cannot wait to share my adventures with all of you when I get back!!! All my love to everyone at home, and to those of you who have been praying and thinking about me, thank you. <3

The Auckland Beer Festival

This weekend has been incredible! I had my first taste of Indian food and a trip with my girlfriends that will be in my memories forever. 

            To begin, my host sisters 12^th birthday was Friday and to celebrate we went to this incredibly delicious Indian restaurant.  I had never had Indian before and was excited to try it! Curry on curry on curry is all I can say! YUMMM!!! There’s this delicious bread called Naan! Buttered Naan is right up my ally! LOVED IT!! After dinner we finished the night with tea and ginger treat (a homemade bar that is to die for)  I swear I am going to gain back every pound I’ve lost in the last few months!

            Saturday was the best day yet! My girlfriends from IU, Jordan and Cassie came with me to the Auckland Beer Festival! We got to try beers from all around the world, and the most famous from New Zealand as well! This event was held in The Cloud in downtown Auckland.  The cloud is this beautiful building that sits on the harbor! Every view was gorgeous! What beats good beer and a beautiful view?!

            After spending the day at the festival we walked along the harbor looking at the teal water and thinking how lucky we are to be here! We found this delicious little Italian restaurant on the sea and had yet another glass of Sauvignon Blanc and incredibly delicious pizza!  As if the day couldn’t get any better, we got to watch all the lights in the city turn on and reflect off the harbor!!! Such a great way to end the night! We caught buses back to the north shore and were back in 20 minutes! Keeping this bus thing in mind for the future!!! I felt like a real city girl finding her way around!

            Today is Sunday here, and I am already in my bathing suit (called Toggs here)!! I plan on heading to Brown’s Bay for some sushi lunch and a day reading in the sun on the beach!! And tonight my host family is having a Barbi with all of their friends to watch the Blue’s rugby game! I am loving life and wish I could tell you all more, but the sun and surf are calling my name!!

Playing Hooky and an Afternoon Tea

           Wow these last two days have been a whirlwind!  I have been hiking on Takapuna beach, wining and dining with some old and new friends in Milford, and learning the ropes in Brown’s Bay.  After all of this excitement I am really quite ready for a relaxing-ish weekend!!

            Yesterday I was blessed enough to go on a “tramp” or hike with my host teacher, Ruth.  She invited me to this GORGEOUS beach called Takapuna which holds some of the most gorgeous views with crystal clear turquoise water and cliffs of black lava rock! The hike was incredible and I was so blessed to have been able to play a little bit of hooky and get to know my new teacher under much more relaxed circumstances!

            Tonight was even more wonderful because I was invited to share “afternoon tea” with the director of my program, Fay Mason, and the rest of the girls who are here in New Zealand with me! I got to catch up with Cassie and Jordan (which was AWESOME) as well as meet some new faces who are teaching nearby.  Fay invited us into her home, which sits on a lovely volcanic crater that is now a “bottomless” lake.  As we shared wine and conversation about our experiences and all the travels we want to do together we were able to look out onto a pristine view! God, do I have the life or what?!

            After the tea, Jordan, Cassie and three of the other girls I can now call new friends, all went to grab pizza at a local Italian restaurant.  This was so fun! It was nice to have girls that are going through similar experiences as me to talk to and relate to!  It was like having a little piece of home.  I am so lucky to have them so close! We are all hoping to plan some traveling here soon!!  We ended the night at the Thirsty Frog Wine Bar, having one more glass of the FABULOUSLY DELICIOUS Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand is famous for, before Tanya (again I must say BEST HOST MOM EVERRRR) picked Jordan and me up from Milford and drove us home to Brown’s Bay.

            I ended the night with a cup of tea and TV with my host family, and couldn’t have asked for better.  After talking to the girls, I know I am truly blessed to have my host family.  They have supported me through doctor’s appointments, fun gatherings, invited me to family friends for house parties, and given me truly the experience I never dreamed of having.  I am so blessed and end this day thanking God for each of them in this incredible adventure. I know tomorrow holds so much more, and yet I am so thankful for what this trip has already given me. And now I must rush to bed because 27 six year olds tend to take advantage of a tired teacher…Sweetest Dreams from New Zealand.

The Start of School

       








  Today marks my second full day of teaching! And God has it been a full two days!!! We have been working with a new writing assessment that is incredibly time consuming.  Yesterday my host teacher, Ruth, and I stayed until 6:30pm and today we were at school well until 8:30pm (which means I was at school 12.5 hours).  Although most people would be destroyed by the amount of work done, I was delighted because Ruth took me to pizza and wine on the beach after we finished tonight! LOVE IT!! We were both feeling like real people again after a nice glass of Pinot Noir and greasy, cheesy pizza! (see it’s just like home!)

            I am in love with my little year twos! I feel so blessed because I can honestly say that I have had the two best teachers I could have ever asked for and the best classes.  I was so nervous to leave my first graders at home and my incredible teacher who I look up to so incredibly much, but I am finding a family here that I never expected.  Ruth is absolutely fabulous and her class holds some of the most interesting little characters that I am growing so fond of already!

            Just to give you all a taste of my school day here are some of the highlights that I LOVE LOVE LOVE:

●      Morning Tea- I get to go to the teacher’s lounge for 20 minutes and drink coffee and have a snack!

●      Lunch- the kids all eat outside.  There is no lunchroom so they have time to play and eat all at once! Such a cool concept!

●      Waterwise- they have a pool that the kids actually take swim lessons in during the day!!

●      Free spirited- every child is catered to individually in their learning! Very little whole-class instruction! EVERY CHILD ACTUALLY GETS WHAT THEY NEED! CRAZY CONCEPT!!!!

Basically if you haven’t caught on, I LOVE THIS SYSTEM!!!  Who wouldn’t like a break in the morning where the kids get to snack and play for 20 minutes, while you get to drink coffee in the lounge?!  But more than that I am really enjoying this philosophy of teaching and think I am better for having experienced it! I know I am just starting this adventure and am going to grow even more, but I am already thankful for this experience and can feel my teaching philosophy changing and adapting to this incredible educational viewpoint.  I can’t wait to see where this adventure is going to lead me!!!

Here are some pictures of my classroom :)

Cheers to the Irish!

           Today was a relaxing St. Patty’s day.  I was able to spend time with one of my friends who is here in New Zealand with me.  We went to a local pub called the Velvet Gypsy and had two Murphy’s Irish Stouts over great conversation and plan making for the remainder of the trip.  It was great to talk about each of our host families and how lucky we are.  Both Jordan and I kept saying we can’t believe after two years of preparation and study we are here enjoying a beer on the beach in New Zealand!  We even got to take a quick walk along the shore when the rain stopped! Who else can say they spent their St. Patty’s day with good bear, a great view, and feet in the sand?! What a life we are living!!!  Both Jordan and I start teaching tomorrow and we shared all the excitement and fears that go with starting in a new school.  It was so nice to have someone from home to connect with and it really helped remind me how fortunate we are to be here.

            After Tanya picked us up and dropped Jordan off at home (which I must say once again I HAVE THE BEST HOST MOM IN THE WORLD) I was able to spend a lovely dinner at home with my host family.  What can be better than roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots?!  The rest of the evening was dedicated to Top Chef New Zealand and Australian soap opera’s (I am already getting hooked on them! Not quite General Hospital but dramatic all the same J) Thomas, my host brother, even made us hot chocolate to enjoy with our “biscuits” or cookies, while we enjoyed the dramatic shows!  It has been such a great day, and to think I start teaching TOMORROW!!! Thoughts and prayers would be appreciated as I take on 28 six-year-olds from a different country and attempt to help them read with my crazy American accent!

I say: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Wish me luck!!