CH-Weekend

Three CHs were part of my marvellous weekend: Nice CH-people, 2kg of CHeese and the 71 km long Queen CHarlotte Track.

When five food-orientated people go camping, the supermarket seems to be empty after our purchase and the classroom is full with bags up to the roof. 2 kg Pasta, 750 gr of Risotto, saffron for 10 dollars, dried mushrooms, Zuchetti, capsicum and parmeggiano were our ingredienta only for the two dinners. 15 apples, 12 bananas, about 50 müeslibars, four chocolates, 5 cookiebags, 1.5 kg carrots, 3 packages of crackers, bread, philadelphia, salami and finally 2 kg of cheese accompagnied our hiking trip to the Marlborough Sounds.

On Thursday afternoon, after having spent the morning in an old peoples' house we tried to leave Nelson by car. Well let's emphasise 'tried'. After picking up the rental car we wanted to put all our baggage into the car. Unfortunately the boot couldn't be closed anymore. Therefore a man from the car enterprise had to come, but he was not able to repare it and so we made an extra round to the garage. With 1.5 hour of delay we finally set off for Picton.

In Picton we checked in for the hostel and went off for a very nice pizza. As we knew that we had to get up quite early in the morning to catch the watertaxi, we went to bed by time, but nobody really had a deep sleep. In the morning we went down to the harbour where we could drop off our camping equipment and where we took the watertaxi to shipcove, the furthest point of the sounds. 

At 9.15 our hiking adventure started and we set off for 71 km. The first day was not that far amd we already arrived at 5 pm at our campsite. I guess we were quite fast because of the rain. Fortunately the weather got better to build up our tents and to cook our wonderful pasta. 

Camping means having a nice atmosphere. Especially that evening, when we were sitting at the table and listening to unbelievable stories  of other travellers. And first in my life I experienced what it means when somebody says: 'den sternen nah'. This starry night at camp bay campsite was really impressive. 

The next morning we set off at 8.30 for the hardest part of the track. First of all we had to walk up for about 1.5 hour but once we had reached the top of the hills, every effort was worth: what a view. One the one side views similar to Switzerland and on the other side just... PARADISE! 

Even if we enjoyed paradise, our feet and knees didn't feel like that. Everyone of us was relieved when we finally reached Cowshed Bay campsite where we went for a short swim and built up our tents once again. What comes next was jus delicious: we prepared the most deserves and the best risotto on a campingcooker ever! What a treat :) 

Already with a lot of blisters and other problems we started for the last 21 km on Sunday. Beautiful spots characterized our path until Anakiwa, the last part of Queen Charlotte Track. I was never so happy to take off my hiking shoes and I had never such bad, burst blisters.

It was an awesome weekend but we had to realise that one Kilogramm of cheese is far enough for 3 days. Moreover I once more noticed the openhearted attitude of Kiwis. We had a great time with people we just met on the way, something that would be completely impossible in Switzerland. 

Back in Picton we drove with the car home to Nelson. Happy being home safe and dry, it is extremely nice to step in my hours and be hugged by Grace with the words: 'Welcome back, Simone!'

What I had was a memorable weekend!

Describing this weekend in words is a big challenge. But as I fulfillesd a lot of challenges on our Sailing trip, I will try to give you an impression of how wonderful this weekend was.

We started our trip on Friday afternoon. After a short briefing about the katamaran we sailed out of the harbour. After a half an hour like on a rollercoaster and a lot of seasick people our captain decided to go back to a place in the windshadow of a sandbank. We anchored there for the night and we had the opportunity to go there and to climb the lighthouse which was built in 1846. We enjoyed the stunning view and went for a short walk across the sandbank where we saw a colony of nesting seagulls. 

Back on the boat we prepared dinner, played games and then the evening had already passed. What I did then was take my sleeping bag to sleep outside, and of course I took the best place ever: the hamick! Actually I didn't sleep a lot that night but it was a challenge for me firstly not to admit that the others were right in saying that it will be uncomfortable and secondly not to fall in the water. So I enjoyed the nature and its changing during the night. 

On Saturday morning we started early. The captain was quite surprised finding me in the hamick. Obviously there were others who tried but nobody did a whole night...

After sailing for two hours we had breakfast at open sea what maybe was not that relaxed. But when we finally arrived the Abel Tasman we all were so flabbergasted that we forgot about the troughs of the last hours. I just felt thankful that I could be there. This beauty is indescribable, but I imagine paradise must be like this. Whereever you look, nothing else than rock formations, forsaked beaches, impressive ferns, and animals like dolphins and seals. 

During sailing the captain had another challenge for me to do: standing in the sail while the boat is moving. If you don't get it what I actually could do, just imagine being part of the sail, feeling the speed and the wind.

After a walk of two hours, passing a cool Swingbridge, we were ready for the next challenge: swimming in the freezing water of Anchorage Bay! 

One of the funniest moments was when we went out to catch our own whitebait. These are little fish with silver eyes and they use to going up the little creeks with the tight. So what we did was force them to swim in the net by walking in a line through the tiny rivers. 

Great fun not only to catch it but also to eat it. Never had such good seafood, I mean you just kill them and a few minutes later they are on your plate :)

Well, the fish was only our starter. After that we had a beautiful barbecue with sunset. 

Sunday morning we had breakfast at a little bay which was at the same time starting point for another short walk. And afterwards we were of course ready for a swim. And thanks to our captain we know now that it was only 15 degrees :) 

Sailing back to Nelson in the afternoon was just a dream. I really felt one with the water, the wind and the sea and I wished it wouldn't had come to an end. 

But unfortunately it ended. 

Well, I am not sailing anymore, but my body does. Everything seems to go up and down with the waves. And while a few had troubles with seasickness, I am afraid that I have kind of a landsickness which makes me really dizzy... 

Bye for now!

Cello, Food Competition and Quiz Night

Another week has passed by and wr had a lot of fun. For example at the Food Competition at school. Everyone was invited to prepare a typical dish from their country to share with the other students. With Daria I prepared the Kiwis' dessert: pavlova! (actually I didn't really like it, but we got five ticks in the voting). And as you know, we ate far too much ( Although I had only desserts :)). Full stomaches seem to be the best circumstances for a speaking exam practise. It seems that I would have passed it with the highest mark which makes me confident concerning my Proficiency-plans. 

However, after school I taught my homestaysister Sophie the Cello and O was absolutely flabbergaste when she played the Bach Suite only after a few instructions of me. She is a natural!!

On Thursday my whole class attended the Quiz Night at the local pub. We had no chance to answet the questions as they were mainly based on the 60ies or New Zealand. However, it was a beautiful evening!

The only annoying thing at the moment is knee seems to be on strike. But I just try to ignore it and to have fun at the coming sailing weekend through the Abel Tasman :)

Love you all!

Bonecarving and Sophie's Birthday and my Sunday

Today I was surprised by my own patience. I did my own necklace out of bone. We had a workshop by a German who immigrated to New Zealand 20 years ago. He was a great instructor and after 5 hours of work we finally had our own jewellery, all handmade, from the design up to the polishing.

Bonecarvings had a big impact on friendship in Maori Culture. When you shaped your bone (every shape has a special meaning) you wore it to give it your soul. After a specific period of time, you gave your necklace to a person as a symbol of friendship.

When I returned, my homestay sisters Grace and Lizzy were busy with the preparations of Sophie's birthday party. What an amazing dinner with meatballs, mushroom sauce, leek, rhubarb pie and finally a yummy chocolate cake :)

After thia great dinner we played card games which was soooooo funny. Kiwis just have crazy games :)

On Sunday we went first to church where I had to confess my faith because otherwise I wouldn't have been allowed to join the Lord's supper. The Lord's supper is completely different to our's. You sit on a real table and the sense of what you actually confess is much deeper than our glib 'take-away supper'. 

After the service there was another shared lunch at church and we played with the 6 kids of the pastor. 

Then we went to the beach with the whole family to play ultimatw frisbee and touch rugby. It was soooooo amazing! 

My Day

The last two weeks, when I laid in bed, my thoughts were all swirling around my decision to do the skydive. I booked it, and maybe my sister Nelleke is a little bit guilty that I did it (she had given me a gift voucher) and after having booked I was just asking myself what I was about to do!!!

But when the day finally arrived I was unexpectedly calm and relaxed. We got picked up in Nelson to go to Motueka, where we got the instructions and met our coaches and cameramen. The plane is especially adapted for skydiving and it was so narrow that I had to sit on the floor, just next to the door. We were flying for about 20 minutes when he opened the door and pulled me out. Fortunately I didn't have time to look down but when he shifted off and our free fall started, I couldn't do anything else than just enjoying this incredible feeling of the loss of space and time. 

What I enjoyed even more was the flight with the parachute. Previously I asked my coach to do some twists and so we were really rocking the sky. 

The most beautiful thing about the skydive was certainly the landscape. We saw up to mount taranaki on the northern island, the ocean with its distinguished blue, the snowwhite peaks of the mountains and the hills of the abel tasman. 

It was just awesome!!!

Kiwi Slang!!!

It's getting childish and silly in this post, but you'll see: kiwi slang is the most amazing 'language' ever :) join my kiwi quiz to see if you were able to survive the NZ's up and downs...

1. I got lost in the wop-wops which really made me gutted.

2. Bring a plate for the barbie on Saturday arvo!

3. My cuz shouted us a mean feed. It was sweet as!

4. I didn't have enough dosh for the greasies.

5. She chuckes a wobbly when the anklebiter threw her jandal in the scungy dunny.

6. Rattle your dags, we need to shoot through!

Have fun in finding the translations ;)

One third of my stay in Nelson

I can't believe that I have been staying in Nelson already for four weeks! That means that I have no only passed a third of my CAE Course but also that I have spent four weeks with Nelson's nicest families. 

Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to a student from Taiwan, Vivi An. I will miss her! 

I had a very good week, a lot of things to do and a relaxing weekend. 

Just a few words about what you can see in the pictures: 

1. View over Nelson from the Center of New Zealand

2. Sunset at Mount Street

3.Founders Heritage Park: a park, where old houses and items from Nelson are collected. I felt in love with the old bicycles.

4. Enjoying the spring at the center of new zealand after school.

5. Farewell picture with Vivi An.

6. Picture for my sistet back in Switzerland: an old airplane in a park in Nelson :)

7. Serena and I 

8. One of ou favourite lunchtime places

9. For Mum: I don't forget about my Dutch roots :)

Love you all!