Report of the Italian adventures north

We are just back from our fantastic journey around the north of NZ. Was full of miracles, the most beautiful views and experiences. You would have loved it all. Jim is turning my 1 1/2 hour videoing into DVD for the boys. They are such lovely boys. I enjoyed playing cards with them and Ian, one night until midnight!!

July 2nd. Waitomo Caves - main cave was flooded at a distance well below ground level which prevented us from travelling in a boat on the under ground river. We ventured to the waters edge and could see the boat below. We see a few glow worms. However, then the miracle occurred. An old boy of Hato Paora College is a guide of the Aranui cave which is full of wonderful stalactites and stalagmites. He was told that we were at the Caves so he came and showed us FREE to a great depth underground. We climbed down safe ladders with hand rails and saw the most wonderful formations which had taken millions of years to form. They were lit by electricity. Was wonderful to Christian Burgess and his little son.

July 4th - we made a very early start for the Bay of Islands and were able to be on the boat at 8.00a.m. crossing over to the early missionary station at Russell. The day was so glorious, blue sky and sea with islands and believe it or not.... dolphin fish jumping up and down across the bay following the boats. Was so spectacular and unforgettable. Ian and the boys climbed up to Hone Heke's flag staff on a high hill and we visited the early settler's and missionaries' graves in the Church cemetery. We returned by boat to Paihia then travelled over to view the special site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, giving British sovereignty to New Zealand. This place is of great significance to the Maori and peoples of New Zealand. We viewed the beautiful Wharenui with its carvings and woven panels, the great canoe, the home of the first governor which is furnished in the style of 1840's and we watched a film production on the life of the Maori and the significant events leading to colonization of NZ and to life as it is today in this land. The grounds are beautifully kept with native trees and shrubs planted around the lawns and the flag staff stands high on the cliff above the first landing place. It was quite a momentous visit to this place.

Then our travels took us right across to the western coast and down through the Waipoua forest to view the 2000 year old giant Kauri tree known as Tane Mahuta. We walked through the native forest on a path to the foot of this giant, magnificent tree. The native forest has many Kauri specimens and other beautiful native trees. Our trip lead us down to Dargaville and back to Whangarei. We had covered an enormous amount of roadway.

July 5th: We visited the Kiwi House and a Pioneer Village, both of which are beautifully set up for world tourists to view. We were amazed to hear a talking Tui bird speaking in the same intonation as his caregiver! Then at 4p.m. the boys and Ian set off in canoes with a guide from Ngunguru school on the safe, quiet river which comes in from the sea at that point. The scene was idyllic and the boys looked great paddling up stream in their coloured kayaks. They loved the adventure and did so well, after some instruction.

July 6th: We left Whangarei for Rotorua, again passing right over Auckland city on the motorway and harbour bridge. At Rotorua the boys had such fun on the Luge. They travelled up to the top of a little mountain by closed in cable car, then came down a winding, sealed track in individual, little, sliding cars with brakes. They enjoyed this experience so much they went up and down 4 times in less than 1 1/2 hours!! That night we had a Farewell dinner in a beautiful restaurant, a hot pool soak and played cards until late.

July 7th: We visited the historic Whakarewarewa Geyser Valley where we took a guided tour of the Maori village. We viewed the bubbling mud pools, boiling water pools and shooting geysers. This tourist site is probably the best known of any in NZ. It is quite a shock to see how thin the earth's crust is at this point. We saw Maori food being cooked in the traditional hangi style in a hole in the ground where the natural steam did the cooking for free. Later we travelled down to Lake Taupo, viewing the Huka Falls on the Waikato River and having a delicious lunch on the lake shore. All three volcanoes were covered in snow and the view was magical. We travelled through the Desert Road, passed the Army camp at Waiouru and down the Taihape. We had tea at Hunterville and made our way home again. What an adventure we had been on. We covered approximately 1,700 kilometres safely and saw so much that was famous, historical, beautiful and unforgettable. We thank God for giving us such a safe, successful remarkable journey.

July 8th. The Italian students are now staying in Otaki and Wellington for the next week of School holidays. They will attend Hato Paora College for 2 more days at the beginning of 3rd Term, before returning to Wellington for their flight back to Italy. We will truly miss Antonio, Samuele and Stefano when they leave our shores.

Best wishes to all the families and Paolo Badiali who have kept in touch with us during this exchange. I look forward to seeing you all in September when again I will be visiting Italy, this time with 2 Maori girls and Mrs Mary Dinsdale, their teacher, whom I know very well.