Islandhopping ;)

It is so nice having a long weekend! The three days passed by so quickly. On Satuday I went with Tanja to Waiheke Island by ferry. Already the ferry trip is just amazing but once you arrive on the island, you feel like your in another country. Waiheke Island (Maori:The long,sheltering island) consist of several little villages and there actually live people. And I guess, they live in paradise. White beaches, little bays, cristal clear water and streets full of little cafes are what add up to the laid-back atmosphere. We had a look at several of these villages, strolled over a tiny but wonderful Satuday market, but most of the time we spent on Onetangi Beach. No, we weren't just laying in the sun doing nothing. We actively used our English by chatting a lot :) and we somehow leapt back into our childhood collecting arms full of shells, especially the broken pieces of the pauashell. The amazing thing was, that even on a popular weekend like this, the beaches were not crowded and we easily found some spots for our own. At around six we looked for a nice restaurant and we were both completely happy with choosing a nice fish restaurant. After dinner, to support our digestion, we walked down to the wharf where we could enjoy the seafront before we caught the ferry back to downtown. And this trip is just unforgettable. We chose the perfect time to set back as the sun set behind the skyline of Auckland. I never thought, that a city can be so beautiful. My pictures are better than on postcards! On Sunday I went to church in the morning before I went to Auckland Domain, where I studied with the nice background music of a live Jazz band. In moment like these, I really like the city as everybody comes out of their houses (and televisions),sitting on camping chairs, letting their children play and simply enjoy the day. Later on I met Tanja again and we went together to the wharf were the 175th anniversairy of Auckland was celebrated. It was a really nice festival but already around six o'clock, there was not much more going on and so we walked to Parnell, a really nice part of Auckland, where we had a delicious Indian dinner. And than it was already Monday. Time for me to explore Rangitoto, another Island, this time on my own and without any civilisation on the island itself. As I try to save some money I wanted to catch the earliest ferry at 7.30 am to get the early bird fare. The thing I didn't think of was, that the regular busses didn't run. So I ended up in another bus which stopped at Parnell at 7.21, so I had to run in nine minutes down to the wharf, a distance of 1.9 km. I still can't believe that I managed it, as I am really not fit anymore. But where there's a will there's a way. Once on the island (already completely exhausted of my morning run), I walked up Mount Rangitoto, which is a young volcano. The crater and the view over Hauraki Gulf is just stunning but the little bays I went to explore later on were even better. On my way, which was probably a little bit to long, considered the heat absorbed from the black volcanic stones and the fact that the last ferry leaves at 5 pm, I took a few swims in my private bays. There was literally no-one! With a little final spurt,I got on the ferry back to Auckland. Since then I am incredibly tired and I'm afraid I had a little bit too much sun...

TOP OF NEW ZEALAND

After two weekends in Auckland I thought it was high time I listened to my sister’s advice to go and see the Bay of Islands. As I was quite disappointed by the high rate of Swiss students at school (and even German speaking ones) I decided to go to this trip organized by school without knowing anybody. This decision was definitely worthwhile. I met a lot of really nice people and especially I found some Swiss people that spoke English, too. And although they were far older than I am, I had a great time with them and I am thankful for having met them. On Friday we left after school and set off for Paihia, the Gateway to Bay of Islands. As the trip takes quite long we made a few stops. One of them was in a Kauri forest, which was pretty impressive. As you can see on one of the pictures, the trunk of this protected tree is incredibly big. Once we arrived in the nice seaside village of Paihia we went out for a delicious, (and expensive) dinner at a seafood restaurant. A nice glass of wine with delicious fish pasta made my day. In the morning we got up at 6 am to get ready for our trip towards the top of New Zealand: Ninety Miles Beach and Cape Reinga. With a bus, rather looking like a truck, we made our way up through the stunning landescape and I found myself starring out the window thinking 'This looks like in the Lord of the Ring'. And then we arrived at Ninety Miles Beach: No words for that. Making our way up along the beach was an mind-blowing experience as you felt the waves splashing at the bus. Then we drove along a creek into huge sanddunes where we had the chance to go sandboarding. Good fun, but I was more afraid of this than I was before my skydive!!! At midday we reached Cape Reinga. To the Maori, this point means a lot as they believe this as the gateway to eternity. I just found it awesome to see how the two oceans crash together. In the evening, back in Paihia we made a promenade along the several beaches with a really nice Italian icecream before we popped into a bar to have a nice glass of wine. (two things I learnt I NZ: White wine is delicious, but: Like my mum I feel dizzy and get a little bit crazy :)) On Sunday we went for a nice bushwalk along a river. It was relaxing after doing so many things on Saturday. Then we took the ferry to visit New Zealand's first capital called Russel. We found a beautiful beach, almost abandoned, where we took a swim before we had to say goodbye to a paradise of little Islands. The good thing is that, when we drove into Auckland, that I for the first time had the feeling of coming home. 

Devonport

My first weekend in Auckland was really nice. On Saturday I went with a few classmates to Devonport which is just a few minutea by ferry.

Once you are there, you feel like in an Italian seaside village (at least I imagine it like this as I have never been to Italy). However, it has this beautiful charm that puts you in a holiday mood. First of all we walked up Mount Victoria (10 min, 80 hm; now we are ready for Mount Everest;)) and enjoyed the beautiful view that you have up there.

After that we ate fish and chips in a really nice restaurant before we set off to explore some of the lovely beaches. Some of them were quite crowded, especially when you are used to the abandoned beaches of the southern westcoast. But of course we took a swim in the refreshing water.

Later in the afternoon I went with Myriam to Newmarket to have a look at all the shops which was nice but cities always make me kind of tired.

On Sunday I went to a church quite close to where I live. The people were really opened, so it was easy for me to feel comfortable. The atmosphere is amazing, you really go with the crowd and the message is so close to your daily life.

After that I went with a friend to Auckland domain to have lunch and to listen to an openair jazz concert. In the evening I cooked a Swiss dish for my homestayfamily and although I wasn't happy at all with my result they seemed to enjoy it.

Now already the second week of the course started and I get already into kind of a rhythm how everything works, which is nice.

Advanced: Done! Let's go for Proficiency!

Already one week is over of my stay in Auckland. Although Auckland is much bigger than everything else in New Zealand I still manage not to get lost!

The school is much more official than in Nelson which has of course advantages and disadvantages. The classes are less funny but probably more effective. What i really miss is the personality which was one of Nelson's biggest plus. And on top of that I missy old classmates as im Auckland there are so many Swiss people who even speak German!!!

However, I found my friends and we are having a good time. The course seems to be hard and we all know that it won't be easy to get that one as we are then on the level of an educated native speaker.

The good news is that I passed my Advanced exam with the top grade (wohooooooo)

All in All, I am fine and I like Auckland (so far) ;)

That's Auckland!

I left Nelson literally in tears. My homestayfamily was just too nice. They made it really hard for me to go. However, I can look back on a unforgettable time and I will never forget them, they became my second family and my friends, too.

I arrived in Auckland safely and although the airport pickup didn't work very well, I am now at my homestayfamily. They are completely different than the one in Nelson, but they are really nice and only want the best for me!

Today Angela, my homestaymum showed me around Mt Eden and in the afternoon I explored the city on my own. I was surprised but I really liked it! It is beautiful!

Tomorrow I start with school again. I am keen on learning more and I'll try hard to get the Proficiency exam. But beside studying I absolutely want to visit the beat spots in the northern island.

So far, so good!

Back home in Nelson!

After a lovely time in Christchurch I finally got back to Nelson to my dear Kiwifamily. It really felt as if I came home.

And we suddenly did a lot of things. Go swimming in the evening, go swimming in the morning, go picnicing in the Japanese Gardens, go Wharfjumping, play games and watch films.

I wish all of you a happy new year!

My Kiwis

Tomorrow I'm flying to Aucklanf which is quite exciting but over all rather sad because I have to leave my favourite Kiwifamily.

We had such a fun New Year's Eve. A dance party at Tommy's where you absolutely didn't have to have any serious skills.

On New Year's Day the whole family went to Rabbit Island where we had a lovely barbecue and where had a game-afternoon which was sooo funny. On top of that we went swimming in the sea and believe me, there was no single day since I've been back in Nelson that I haven't been swimming.

I am just thankful for my time here!