Ka Kite Ano An I A Korua – I’ll see you again

With tears in my eyes, a smile in my face and countless memories it is time for me to go home after seven months in New Zealand. I’d like to use the opportunity to look back to this chapter of my life and to show my deep thankfulness to everybody who made this stay here unforgettable. It was on August 26th 2014 when I set off for our twelve-day stay in Australia together with Daria. I can remember standing in front of my parents (who had obviously more difficulties to let me go than I did) and telling them: ’ So, it’s time to go!’ We had a great time in Australia, seeing some of the probably most sublime spots (Great Ocean Road, blue mountains), met some Kangoroos, and stayed in the most awful hostels. That’s why I didn’t mind leaving Australia and continuing to New Zealand. After the huge airplanes of Emirates, the small one flying from Auckland to Nelson was rather ridiculous and I was so happy when we finally arrived in Nelson. There the welcome of my hostfamily came as a surprise: They were waiting at the airport although I got an email from school that the headmaster was going to pick me up. And even though I didn’t really know who the Winningtons were, seldom got I such a hearty hug. Once at their house I discovered that in sharp contrast to what my papers that I received from school said, the family didn’t have just four children, no there were eight of them! The first day they took me out with the dog for a walk and there were some things that I already noticed then: They are really fit, they are extremely gregarious, entertaining and open-minded. From this point, I called them ‘My Kiwi-Family’. And of course, I didn’t just go to New Zealand to have some fun. No, my aim for Nelson was to get prepared for the Cambridge Proficiency in Auckland. And as you know, I can get quite determined in achieving my goals, and that’s the reason why after three days in a General English class I changed into the Cambridge Advanced, where I met the best class buddies... School time in Nelson was definitely not boring, I guess it was even more entertaining than watching a comedy. The combination of different characters of students and teachers caused a relaxed and extremely funny learning atmosphere. Singing songs, miming, painting, drinking coffee or going to the park are just some of our school days activities. And it didn’t stop after school. My favourite activity was probably the Ultimate Frisbee with Miles in the park. When he lost, I lost as well, and I’m happy that both of us were good sports and not afraid of losing every single game time and again. And then, there were of course the weekends. Although I’d have loved to spend every weekend with my hostfamily, I wanted to see all the nice places people had been talking about. Together with people from school I went to the Nelson Lakes, to Golden Bay, and on a sailing trip through the Abel Tasman. But the highlight of everything was definitely the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sound. We had a whale of a time and I crossed the open blisters out of my memory... The longer I stayed with my Kiwi-family the more I was afraid to leave them, and so I asked if I possibly could come back for New Year, and I could! But first of all, the day after the CAE-exam, I left together with Daria to the westcoast. Still, months after that, I can remember what an amazing time we had in Punakaiki on the probably most beautiful beach, despite the hundreds of sandfly stings that left scars all over my leg. Three days after, Severine joined us and made it perfect. Backpacking with these two mates was probably the best thing I could’ve done. Back in Switzerland I never thought that I was the type for travelling, but there is little that I enjoy more than meeting people, climbing mountains, and watching the landscape passing by while you’re sitting in a bus. The funny thing is that every time when I saw here in the North a bus from InterCity, I got melancholic and itchy feet to start travelling again. Besides Punakaiki, my favourite places were the following: • Lake Wanaka • Milford Sounds • Ben Lomond Peak in Queenstown • Mt Cook With all this adventures in our backpacks we arrived in Christchurch, where we had to say goodbye to each other. No more cooking sessions, no more discussions about getting up in the night to watch the stars, no questions if something is too dangerous, no more UNO... Fortunately I didn’t end up completely alone in Christchurch but could stay with the Watson Family in Christchurch. I really enjoyed the time there, although I was deeply impressed by the consequences of the earthquake. Christmas was simply lovely with so many people around, but one thing I will always remember was the ‘Carols in the Park’, it was extremely moving. On Boxing Day I moved to Lorraine and Allan, a lovely couple living in the outskirts of Christchurch. And although they were both in their late sixties, it was them who kept me fit. On the first day we went to Akaroa, which was simply amazing. On the second day, I went together with Allan on a bike tour and even though we intended only to go for a little ride we ended up cycling 60 kms in the heat. It was unforgettable and I am deeply thankful for all my little adventures in Christchurch. Yeah, and then I made my way up to Nelson. The closer I got to the small town, the more I felt at home. Believe me, I had soooo much to tell all my Kiwi-family members and we hardly had enough time to catch up. We did so many things, but the best experience was probably storm swimming, you guys are just crazy!!! It was so good to be home, and I tried to enjoy it as much as I could although I struggled forgetting about was coming soon: Saying goodbye. But until then, I had probably the funniest New Year’s Eve, and for sure the best New Year’s Day (although I missed the snow in Switzerland). The day in the park with the whole Winnington Family was probably the highlight of my stay in New Zealand. I felt like I was actually a member of the family. The day after, I eventually had to pack my bags, and leave my beloved Nelson and the house that was my home for such a long time. Thanks to the awesome siblings, I now have a photo album that evokes memories and makes me smile every single time I look at it. Although I could fly with the ALL-BLACKS airplane, I hate Nelson airport. Saying goodbye was never before so difficult for me, and I did quite well with choking back my tears. But only until I had to walk over the airfield to the plane and I saw that everybody was standing on the roof of the airport and waving goodbye...(I still start to cry when I think about it) Auckland! That’s what was coming next. On my first Sunday I felt rather helpless as I didn’t have a map and therefore had the impression that Auckland was huuuuuuuge. It isn’t. I soon got the hang out of it and discovered where the nice places are. And of course, my big challenge to pass the CPE kept me busy. I enjoyed expanding my language skills but towards the end and after six months of completing the same exam tasks, it got quite tedious. But of course, I did a lot of amazing things, stayed with a really nice family near Mt Eden and I soon met people who were ready not to speak German and who like I wanted to discover New Zealand. Together we went to Bay of Islands, Waiheke, Rangitoto, Tongariro, Waitomo, leaving aside the hundreds of nice evenings out, ice creams, cinema, badminton, swimming... By reading that, you might think: ‘Oh, Simone has changed quite a bit.’ And even if you don’ t think so , I can tell you that I believe I did, and I can only hope that you as well see it as a change for the better than for the worse. First of all, I got far more emotional than ever before, probably because you always meet people and you have to say goodbye again. On top of that, I realised how much it means when you find somebody who you can trust and talk to although you don’t know them very much. Secondly, I think I became quite independent. Travelling needs not only a certain sense of curiosity, but also the courage to leave things unplanned, enjoy the freedom and make some snap decisions. Then, I think I became less impulsive and can control certain feelings of anger better than I used to. When you are living together with people you don’t know very well, for example in a hostfamily, you have to learn to accept certain things, even though you wished you could change it, or try to tell them in a nice way. What’s more is that family members in both family I stayed with do not really have arguments, and if they do, they solve it immediately and without much fuss. But most of all, I got more thankful. Thankful for sooo many things. I made once a list, and I copied that one into here because it expresses more than if wrote every single thing in detail. • My family in Switzerland, especially my parents. They do a lot for me and I guess I have realised that in New Zealand more than I did in Switzerland (when I first ran out of clean socks). On top of that they made my dream to come here possible. And I truly hope for them that one day they can see what I could see. • My kiwifamily in Nelson: I often think that it was God's plan to meet them. I had not only a lot of fun with this amazing big family but they made me feel part of them and gave me everything I needed to feel at home. They found a huuuuge part in my heart and whenever I think back to our great time, I already imagine how the next time will be. • My hostfamily in Auckland: You made me feel at home and I really enjoyed our Masterchef sessions, or Emma: The bread is disgusting  • All the people I met while I stayed in Nelson, while travelling, in Christchurch and especially in Auckland, where it wasn’t as easy as expected to find people that I can go along with well. They all mean a lot to me because especially Kiwipeople taught me to be open and have a nice word on the go for everyone you meet. I try hard to stay in touch not only with the Swiss ones, but especially the ones all over the planet. • For my friends in Switzerland that haven't forgotten me and still have an open year for. I realised how much it means to me that they try to keep me up to date and from time to time send me a nice message. I can’t wait meeting them all again, because something only a best friend is able to do, is to understand you completely without having to say anything. • For the YMCA (Cevi) because I made so good friends there and I can't wait leading my next camp. And the best kids who gave me nicest goodbye gift I could have imagined. • For my safe travels. It isn't self-evident to have the chance to explore such a nice country with two amazing friends. Often when I saw something of an incredible beauty, I was just thankful for it and didn't even try to take a picture. I hope that the flight back will be as smooth as everything before that. Now it’s time to say goodbye to a country I fell in love with, and to leave behind uncountable people who found a place in my heart. There are hundreds of things, why I’m looking forward to going home after such a long time. The first reason is of course my family. Staying with other families makes you aware of what you actually have, and on top of that, I can’t wait playing again with my nephews and my niece. And then, there are of course my friends. So many of them were so loyal and I look forward to having somebody around me who completely knows and understands me. Besides that there are so many other things, such as my Cello, my own bed, Swiss/Dutch food, the familiar environment, Saturday evenings in front of the open fire, the Cevi, and of course the singing. And there are really exciting things coming towards me. I’m starting my first job in a hospital as a nurse, and then I’m going to start studying in Bern which includes moving into a flat with one of my best friends. A last goodbye, a big thank you to a country that welcomes visitors so heartily and I hope that I can see many of you soon! Kia ora! ‘A place my feet may leave, but my heart will always be.’

Great Lake Taupo

Taupo, another beautiful place in New Zealand. I arrived at 10 am and immediately put on my hiking gear and made my way along Waikato River. Halfway, I took a bath in natural hot springs. Sitting under a hot waterfall and enjoying the silence in Waikato valley, I thought, this is New Zealand. Later on, I went to the famous Huka Falls. It is quite spectacular how much water flows through this canyon but it probably isn't the most impressive waterfall ever. On my way back I watched how people did a bundy jump down a bridge into the river and I realized that I never could do that. Back in Taupo I went for a swim in the cristalclear water of the lake before I returned to the hostel to cook dinner. Soon I'm returning to Auckland where I'm going to spend one more evening with my hostfamily.

Rotorua: Just follow your nose

Finally, the exam was over and after a nice farewell- dinner at the viaduct I set off on Sunday morning together with a classmate for Rotorua. We travelled with this extremely cheap bus, ManaBus, and I tell you, it's amazing! You even get icecream!

Once in Rotorua, we noticed one thing right from the beginning: it really stinks! And another thing: it is hard to orientate, but just follow your nose and it will lead you to all geothermal highlights.

Except that it smells of rotten eggs, Rotorua is really fascinating. Already when you just walk through the town and the beautiful lakefront, you come across soooo many stunning bubbling holes and little geysirs.

Today we had a day tour to Waiotapu, the geothermal wonderland. There is a lot happening. Everywhere you can see boiling water coming out of holes, steam rising up into the air and lakes in diverse colours. It is simply special.

In the afternoon our tour brought us into e Maori Village called whakewarewa. Maori from this tribe still live there and they use the geothermal things to take baths, to cook or to take benefit from the healing steams. Not only did we see a live maoro performance, but we also saw a geysir erupting and ate a hangi meal. Yuuuum!

And this was the last evening before I split up with Myriam. So we went out for dinner, a walk and afterwards a nice dessert.

The Sky's the limit

I can't complain about being bored here in Auckland. I mean, school is from time to time hard to endure. But still, cinema,ice cream, Badminton and swimming are keeping me busy. Last week I finally redeemed the giftvoucher that I received from Nelleke to go up the Skytower. It was simply amazing. Although it was a bit scary standing on glass and looking down more than 200 m, it was an awesome experience and I enjoyed every moment up there. On Friday night, there was a big Lantern Festival in Albert Park which is part of the Chinese New Year Celebration. It was nice, but all the dragons and symbols honestly don't mean a lot to me. On Saturday, I went together with Jeannine kayaking from St.Helliers Bay to Rangitoto Island. One way was actually only about 4.9 kilometers, but my steering wasn't that good, so I'm sure we paddled at least 6 kms one way :) When we arrived on Rangitoto our guide prepared a nice morning tea before we walked up over hot scoria to the summit, where we had an lookout all over the Hauraki Gulf up to Coromandel Peninsula. After this biiiiiig effort, we had an amazing barbecue lunch before we set off in the direction of Auckland. It was good fun with the waves made by ferries and bigger boats, but as it is also quite exhausting, we all were happy to be back. There we got an ice cream and our kayak experience was passe. In the evening, I realised how tired I was by almost falling asleep in the cinema :) On Sunday morning I went to church a last time, before I went together with Tanja and Jeannine to Devonport where we enjoyed the beach and delicious fish n'chips. This is life!

Simply Beautiful: Coromandel

Another memorable weekend! To get in the right mood for the weekend, I went together with a few friends out for dinner at the viaduct where we enjoyed delicious tapas and probably the best white wine I've ever tasted. On Satuday morning I early set off with Kiwiana Tours in the direction of Coromandel Peninsula. On our way there we drove along its westcoast, which is windy, but just stunning. Once in Whitianga we settled into our accomodation next to a beach before we took the free bodyboards and rocked the waves. Good fun, a few bumps and even more goose bumps because of the southernly breeze. In the evening we planned to go to Hot water beach, but as the sea was too rough we decided to stay at the accomodation and play cards. It was a good decision as we heard the next morning that a lot of people were smashed into the rocks because of the waves. However, we of course couldn't miss out How water beach and so we went there in the morning. we tried hard to dig a hole but the waves were still to powerful and all our efforts got washed away. Anyway, we went swimming and enjoyed the nice beach before we headed to Cathedral Cove, one of my favourite spots in New Zealand. The colour of the water, the blue sky and the fern is for me the inclusive concept of paradise. And I couldn't keep my promise - not to make my bikini wet because of the long drive back to Auckland- I just had to jump into this deep blue of the ocean and feel the waves. The funny thing is, that afterwards I again (like after the sailing trip in Nelson) I found myself seeing things moving; probably I'm supposed to be a seal, living in the water rather than in a bed that doesn't move continuously... I arrived in Auckland safely, but tired and I'm now focusing on the three last weeks of my course. And by the way: I'm home in less than four weeks! Look forward to seeing you all again!

Walking on the moon: Tongariro Crossing

Waitangi weekend does not only mean to hear some interesting political disputes about the Maoris and the illegal implementation of the New Zealand law, but also having a longer weekend again. This time, we set off on Friday morning to Waitomo, where we visited the famous glowworm caves. Although I have been in such a cave on the Southern Island, I have never before seen such an impressive cave formed by such oxidants and water. On top of that, the boat trip through the actual glow worm caves was just stunning. But also the rest of our day was an adventure as our drive to Tongariro village wasn't just on normal roads. No, 40 kms on unsealed roads,occasionally decorated from branches, Possums (or what was remaining), and sheep starring dumbly at you: it took us ages to get where we had to get :) However, we settled in our hostel and cooked delicious Pasta before we started a energetic UNO-competition. Having in mind that we were going to walk far the next day we popped into bed early; unfortunately, I didn't sleep very well,as I always had the feeling of missing the alarm clock which was due to go off at 5.30 am. The next morning we started the track at 7.00 am which was really nice as we not only could do the first quarter of the track without too many hikers, but also see the sun rise behind the volcanoes. After two ours we reached the first South Crater, far under the estimated time. So we decided, to try climbing MT Ngauruhoe. I never before saw such a steep mountain where there is not even a pathway. The volcanic rocks, -sometimes fine sand, sometimes big chunks of black lava,- made it quite arduous to climb it. Besides that, falling rocks, rising fog and freezing temperature made us decide to return more than half-way on our way to the summit. It was a pitty, but better safe than sorry and we still had an amazing view all over Tongariro National Park. Going down over the black sand was like skiing, just with other conditions. Once back at the South Crater we continued the normal Crossing with loads of other fellow tourists. Often slowed down by the rest, we had a lot of time to look at the beauty of the Red Crater, the Emerald Lakes and finally Blue Lake before we made our way down. I reckon, that I will never forget this long journey back to the valley, not only because it was long, but also because of the constant smoke that was coming out of the volcanoes. This is so fascinating! Back in Tongariro village,we all could have entered a competition in 'who walks the stiffest?', as everybody had either blisters, sore muscles or of course, painful knees. Having had a shower, we went out for a nice dinner, well deserved. Walking back from the restaurant to the hostel was probably the most entertaining part; we must have looked like being escaped from a old people's home. On Sunday morning we drove to Taupo where we made a short stop to have a coffee and enjoy the view over the white mountains and the crystal-clear water. The drive to Auckland is quite long and so we stopped again at the Hamilton Gardens. Once in Auckland, or to be precise, on my way from the busstop to my homestay, I realised how tired I actually was. The other thing I realized in the morning was, that my muscles somehow didn't enjoy the weekend as much as I did...

Warning labels for dummies

Even at Proficiency school can be fun. Great stuff here:

1. Do not use in shower. Do not use while sleeping. (warning on a hair dryer)
2. Filling may be hot when heated. (Kellogs Cornflakes)
3. Mask and chest plate are not protective and cape does no enable wearer to fly. (batman costume)
4. Defrost before eating. (found on a frozen dinner)
5. May contain nuts (peanut packaging)