American Visit 2017 - Blog
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The ambassadors take turns sharing their day's adventure while they are in New Zealand, and we present that here as a web log. |
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Tuesday, 28, February - Contributing Schools Visits
- By Ambassador Sarah
What we did was we went to lots of primary (elementary) schools. At the school we sang our songs and then they replied with the Haka. Then we answered a few questions that the students had, then at the very end we got a full tour of the school. The students asked a lot of questions. Some of my favourites were: What has been your favourite place in New Zealand? What is your favourite New Zealand food?
One of the questions we got asked a lot was, do you like your new President? We all let the teachers answer that one RESPECTFULLY. What I will remember most about today is getting to see what New Zealand schools look like because they are very different from our schools in America.
I will remember this experience forever!
- By Ambassador Sarah
What we did was we went to lots of primary (elementary) schools. At the school we sang our songs and then they replied with the Haka. Then we answered a few questions that the students had, then at the very end we got a full tour of the school. The students asked a lot of questions. Some of my favourites were: What has been your favourite place in New Zealand? What is your favourite New Zealand food?
One of the questions we got asked a lot was, do you like your new President? We all let the teachers answer that one RESPECTFULLY. What I will remember most about today is getting to see what New Zealand schools look like because they are very different from our schools in America.
I will remember this experience forever!
Thursday, 23 February – Last Day in Queenstown
- By Ambassador Aiden
Today was our last day in Queenstown. We started the day having breakfast at the Brazz Restaurant. We took a 50-minute ride on the Earnslaw Steamboat to Walter Peak Station. Our group rode horses, watched a dog round up sheep and we fed the deer. I really liked the BBQ lunch because they had all different kinds of meats and lollies. We rode the steamship back to Queenstown. This was a place to remember!
- By Ambassador Aiden
Today was our last day in Queenstown. We started the day having breakfast at the Brazz Restaurant. We took a 50-minute ride on the Earnslaw Steamboat to Walter Peak Station. Our group rode horses, watched a dog round up sheep and we fed the deer. I really liked the BBQ lunch because they had all different kinds of meats and lollies. We rode the steamship back to Queenstown. This was a place to remember!
Wednesday, 22 February - Queenstown Day 2
- By Ambassador Sam
Today, we walked to breakfast in Queenstown at “Brazz.” It was very good; I had pancakes with ice cream. Next, we went to “Cookie Time.” The cookies were very good. Then we went to the “Kiwi & Bird Park.” It was very exciting for all of us. We learned about and saw Kiwis. We watched a show about helping the environment and Daniel was chosen to go up and do a trick with a bird. The bird stole $20 from Daniel but gave it back! We ate lunch at FergBurger at a cemetery.
Then we went up in a gondola and hung out in a place called Skyline. It had very cool views of the lake. Soon after the, up at Skyline, we ate at a buffet. A really good buffet with really good food! I ate way too much! When we finished we went to a Kiwi Haka show. It included a welcome dance and they taught us how to do some of their dances. The boys got to learn how to do the Haka and the girls got to learn how to use a musical instrument called a poi. We finished the night playing outside until dark at the hostel.
- By Ambassador Sam
Today, we walked to breakfast in Queenstown at “Brazz.” It was very good; I had pancakes with ice cream. Next, we went to “Cookie Time.” The cookies were very good. Then we went to the “Kiwi & Bird Park.” It was very exciting for all of us. We learned about and saw Kiwis. We watched a show about helping the environment and Daniel was chosen to go up and do a trick with a bird. The bird stole $20 from Daniel but gave it back! We ate lunch at FergBurger at a cemetery.
Then we went up in a gondola and hung out in a place called Skyline. It had very cool views of the lake. Soon after the, up at Skyline, we ate at a buffet. A really good buffet with really good food! I ate way too much! When we finished we went to a Kiwi Haka show. It included a welcome dance and they taught us how to do some of their dances. The boys got to learn how to do the Haka and the girls got to learn how to use a musical instrument called a poi. We finished the night playing outside until dark at the hostel.
Tuesday, 21 February - Off To Queenstown!
- By Ambassador Jovanni
Today we headed on a two hour trip to Queenstown. When we got there, we ate lunch in Arrowtown at a café. We ate sausage rolls, dumplings, and cheese rolls. I loved the dumplings. After, we went gold panning. I found 31 pieces of gold flakes. We walked around town and ate the most “sourest” candy in New Zealand. My group went to eat ice cream.
We threw all our things into our hostel rooms and headed out for our next adventure eating at The Prime Restaurant. I ate fettuccini. We met three tables of other Americans, some from Seattle. After, we watched a street performer. He was a very funny dude. Then more shopping in Queenstown and more ice cream! Finally, we went back to our hostel, played on the trampoline, watched some TV and settled down and went to bed. What a great first day in Queenstown!!
- By Ambassador Jovanni
Today we headed on a two hour trip to Queenstown. When we got there, we ate lunch in Arrowtown at a café. We ate sausage rolls, dumplings, and cheese rolls. I loved the dumplings. After, we went gold panning. I found 31 pieces of gold flakes. We walked around town and ate the most “sourest” candy in New Zealand. My group went to eat ice cream.
We threw all our things into our hostel rooms and headed out for our next adventure eating at The Prime Restaurant. I ate fettuccini. We met three tables of other Americans, some from Seattle. After, we watched a street performer. He was a very funny dude. Then more shopping in Queenstown and more ice cream! Finally, we went back to our hostel, played on the trampoline, watched some TV and settled down and went to bed. What a great first day in Queenstown!!
Monday, 20 February - What To Do When You Can't Get To Stewart Island
- By Ambassador Mateo
Today we got up and drove to the airport. We sat in the airport for forn a long time playing cards just to hear that our flight to Stewart Island was cancelled due to the cloud ceiling being too low for air travel. We got picked up by the vans and drove to Queens Park. We went to the cafe and then went to the playground. After that everybody went to Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum. There were lots of cool cars and trucks. My favorite was the old police car. It was featured in the New Zealand movie “Pork Pie.”
- By Ambassador Mateo
Today we got up and drove to the airport. We sat in the airport for forn a long time playing cards just to hear that our flight to Stewart Island was cancelled due to the cloud ceiling being too low for air travel. We got picked up by the vans and drove to Queens Park. We went to the cafe and then went to the playground. After that everybody went to Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum. There were lots of cool cars and trucks. My favorite was the old police car. It was featured in the New Zealand movie “Pork Pie.”
Thursday, 16 February - Our Visit to the Marae
- By Ambassador Krystal
Today we went to the Marae. When we got there they did a Karanga which is a Māori call back and forth. We had to take off our shoes and then we got in and the girls sat in the back in the boys in the front. They spoke and sang in Māori. They had their kids sing in Māori for us. Then we sang our two songs then we went to greet them by touching noses. Then we had a morning snack.
They told us about Maui his brothers in the sun. They took us on a tour around the place and then. before we left they taught us how to make warrior faces. The boys had to stick up their tongues and boys their eyes so did the girls but the girls had an option to either grit teeth or to make a "frown" face. We took a photo in our warrior faces outside the Marae and then it was time to leave
- By Ambassador Krystal
Today we went to the Marae. When we got there they did a Karanga which is a Māori call back and forth. We had to take off our shoes and then we got in and the girls sat in the back in the boys in the front. They spoke and sang in Māori. They had their kids sing in Māori for us. Then we sang our two songs then we went to greet them by touching noses. Then we had a morning snack.
They told us about Maui his brothers in the sun. They took us on a tour around the place and then. before we left they taught us how to make warrior faces. The boys had to stick up their tongues and boys their eyes so did the girls but the girls had an option to either grit teeth or to make a "frown" face. We took a photo in our warrior faces outside the Marae and then it was time to leave
Friday, 17 February - Farm Day
- By Ambassador Logan
Today our group went to three farms. The first farm was a dairy farm and we drank fresh milk and saw lots of cows. The second farm was full of sheep and we learned about sheep farming and saw two sheep being sheared which was fun and interesting. And lastly, we went to a vegetable farm and learned about potatoes and carrots. We got to sample some yummy carrots, they were good!!
- By Ambassador Logan
Today our group went to three farms. The first farm was a dairy farm and we drank fresh milk and saw lots of cows. The second farm was full of sheep and we learned about sheep farming and saw two sheep being sheared which was fun and interesting. And lastly, we went to a vegetable farm and learned about potatoes and carrots. We got to sample some yummy carrots, they were good!!
Wednesday February 15 - Natures Wonders
- By Ambassador Caleb
Today we woke up in a museum. We had breakfast there. Then we headed off to the 8-wheel vehicle ride at Natures Wonders. It took 45 minutes to get there and then we had a burger for lunch. The 8-wheel ride was really fun and we saw seals and baby penguins. The nature preserve has been there since the mid-1800s and has beaches that have untouched by humans for over 30 years.
- By Ambassador Caleb
Today we woke up in a museum. We had breakfast there. Then we headed off to the 8-wheel vehicle ride at Natures Wonders. It took 45 minutes to get there and then we had a burger for lunch. The 8-wheel ride was really fun and we saw seals and baby penguins. The nature preserve has been there since the mid-1800s and has beaches that have untouched by humans for over 30 years.
Tuesday, 14 February - Cadbury World and Otago Museum
- By Ambassador Jake
Happy Valentines Day! Today we went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and also stayed the night in a museum. First we went to the Cadbury factory and it was amazing! They put sooo much work into every single bar of chocolate. At the museum, it was not what I expected but it was cool because we got to go into a butterfly room..
- By Ambassador Jake
Happy Valentines Day! Today we went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and also stayed the night in a museum. First we went to the Cadbury factory and it was amazing! They put sooo much work into every single bar of chocolate. At the museum, it was not what I expected but it was cool because we got to go into a butterfly room..
Monday, 13 February - Welcome, Cooking, Service
-By Ambassador Mya
Today was our first day at James Hargest College. I will remember singing in front of all those people. I will remember that because it was kind of nerve wracking because of all the things that could happen like if we messed up or if the music stops.
Next we headed to the cooking room for some Kiwi cooking. I made the cheese rolls but my favorite was the pavlova. After we finished cooking, there was a lot of dishes, they took forever and they just kept coming and coming. The dishes also took a long time because we had to hand wash them.
Next we headed to a local retirement home for our community service project. We sand “God Bless America “, “This Land is Your Land”, the Wolverine Beat and “We Go Together” in front of the elderly. We kind of messed up the last song but they thought that was funny.
-By Ambassador Mya
Today was our first day at James Hargest College. I will remember singing in front of all those people. I will remember that because it was kind of nerve wracking because of all the things that could happen like if we messed up or if the music stops.
Next we headed to the cooking room for some Kiwi cooking. I made the cheese rolls but my favorite was the pavlova. After we finished cooking, there was a lot of dishes, they took forever and they just kept coming and coming. The dishes also took a long time because we had to hand wash them.
Next we headed to a local retirement home for our community service project. We sand “God Bless America “, “This Land is Your Land”, the Wolverine Beat and “We Go Together” in front of the elderly. We kind of messed up the last song but they thought that was funny.
Friday,10 February - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- By Ambassador Aiden
Today we went to the Te Papa Museum and this is what I learned:
• Greenstone is a native stone that is only found in New Zealand.
• A Waka is a boat that holds many people and is equal in size to 2 canoes side by side.
• Te Papa means a treasure of containers because they explain the native culture of the Māori.
• A Kiwi is a native animal.
The best part of this day however, was meeting our New Zealand families!
- By Ambassador Aiden
Today we went to the Te Papa Museum and this is what I learned:
• Greenstone is a native stone that is only found in New Zealand.
• A Waka is a boat that holds many people and is equal in size to 2 canoes side by side.
• Te Papa means a treasure of containers because they explain the native culture of the Māori.
• A Kiwi is a native animal.
The best part of this day however, was meeting our New Zealand families!
Thursday, 9 February - Lord of the Rings Tour
- By Ambassador Sarah
If I had to choose my favorite part about The Lord of the Rings tour it would be the Weta Workshop. My second favorite part about The Lord of the Rings tour was going to Rivendell. The Lord of the Rings tour was my favorite because we got within feet of the movie props. Some of the props we got to see where the orc costume and weapons, King Théoden’s costume, Farimir's costume, and Pippin's costume and lastly we got to see the elf’s costume.
While we were we at the workshop we watched this really cool video that explained the history of the Weta Workshop and Weta Digital Production. Rivendell was amazing. When we got to Rivendell the tour guide got out some props (capes and swords) and handed them out. Then while he was setting out the food we went on a walk. After we ate lunch we went across the mighty river Anduin. The next part is what was so awesome about the trip to Rivendell . We got to go where they filmed the movie. We got to stand next to the tree that Legolas stood next to (the actor was Orlando Bloom). It was so amazing I will remember it forever.
Two things that surprised me was that Sean Connery turned down the offer to play the role Gandalf. He would have made about $400 million off of just one of the films. The second was that all of the chain mail in the movies were made by two people!
It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- By Ambassador Sarah
If I had to choose my favorite part about The Lord of the Rings tour it would be the Weta Workshop. My second favorite part about The Lord of the Rings tour was going to Rivendell. The Lord of the Rings tour was my favorite because we got within feet of the movie props. Some of the props we got to see where the orc costume and weapons, King Théoden’s costume, Farimir's costume, and Pippin's costume and lastly we got to see the elf’s costume.
While we were we at the workshop we watched this really cool video that explained the history of the Weta Workshop and Weta Digital Production. Rivendell was amazing. When we got to Rivendell the tour guide got out some props (capes and swords) and handed them out. Then while he was setting out the food we went on a walk. After we ate lunch we went across the mighty river Anduin. The next part is what was so awesome about the trip to Rivendell . We got to go where they filmed the movie. We got to stand next to the tree that Legolas stood next to (the actor was Orlando Bloom). It was so amazing I will remember it forever.
Two things that surprised me was that Sean Connery turned down the offer to play the role Gandalf. He would have made about $400 million off of just one of the films. The second was that all of the chain mail in the movies were made by two people!
It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 8 February - Wellington
- By Ambassador Daniel
We did a tour though the parliament. We also saw the prime minister. We learned about the 7 political parties. Last we looked at the things that prevent the buildings from collapsing during earthquakes.
Next we went to Zealandia. We saw a rare bird called Takahē, they don’t fly. There is a gate so the birds can leave but predators cannot get in. This creates a sanctuary for the birds to come and go as they please. There was a crazy forest and a huge dam which we climbed on.
So far our trip in New Zealand is awesome!!!
- By Ambassador Daniel
We did a tour though the parliament. We also saw the prime minister. We learned about the 7 political parties. Last we looked at the things that prevent the buildings from collapsing during earthquakes.
Next we went to Zealandia. We saw a rare bird called Takahē, they don’t fly. There is a gate so the birds can leave but predators cannot get in. This creates a sanctuary for the birds to come and go as they please. There was a crazy forest and a huge dam which we climbed on.
So far our trip in New Zealand is awesome!!!
