Sheep, Cows, and Dolphins

So this week had many firsts.  I went to my first classes in New Zealand.  Saw my first NZ sheep, cows, and dolphins.  I also spent my first night in NZ away from my Auckland apartment.

So I know you are all dying to know about my first classes, rather than my adventures with dolphins and waterfalls.  My classes all went well my professors are all very welcoming and passionate about what they teach.  I have four classes that are each worth four credits each.  They are each three hour classes held once a week, although I was very excited to learn that I have 5 weeks when my education classes aren't held(all of April and the last week of March). I have two courses for Education, my Maths (rather than Math here in NZ) and Reading, and then I'm taking two electives Maori Culture and Te Ara Pou a Leadership Course.

I was very excited when I walked into this classroom.

And don't let the chairs deceive you, we take off our shoes since it is a sacred Maori house and we lay on cushions on the floor!!  I must say I've been very happy with my course selections and the my first impressions of the classes.

I also had my first day in a New Zealand primary school.  I am placed in a Catholic school and a Year 4/5 class of 28 children.  I plan to go in almost every Thursday and spend the day in the classroom to fulfill my UVM requirements.  I got to share about the US and they ask me many questions, they also happen to be reading the Hatchet which takes place in Canada.  They were excited to learn about my experiences with moose and skunks.   I really enjoyed the class and the students are well behaved and very friendly.

Well if you want to know more about my classes you'll have to ask me, because I have a fun filled weekend to fill you in on!

Friday morning we headed up North to the Bay of Islands.  In the morning we had two 5 person rental vans that ventured out. We later meet up with a van with 8 other people and 2 people that rode on a bus.  So altogether there were 20 of us!!

On our way we decided to stop at the Waipou Forest and see some of the largest trees in the world, second only to California.

The largest tree in New Zealand. 

On our drive there I saw my first New Zealand sheep.

We also ran in a cow crossing!

It's just like home!!

MOOOO!! The people in my car found it very funny that I got so excited about the cows and was mooing and wanting to go pet them.

After viewing huge trees, some cows, and more pretty scenery we drove over to the Pahia Holiday Park where we would be staying for the next 2 nights. The place was very cute, with a community kitchen where we could cook our meals and even had trampolines and a pool. Once setting up camp we headed out to buy dinner for the 10 of us already there. It was yummy pasta and garlic bread. After a very large satisfying dinner we hung out and then turned in for the night.

The following day about 12 of us headed over to hike Rainbow falls and along the way we also found Fairy Pools, so it was a very magical.


After this we then decided to go take a look at the beach. Sadly when we got there it was rainy, cold, and cloudy.  So instead by stopped by the Whangeri Treaty Grounds, we saw the treaty and then headed out for lunch.

We went to Shippees restaurant for some fish and chips.

The food was yummy and it was so cool to eat on a ship.  We all left very full bellies as well!

Next we decided to go for a drive to a beautiful look out and beach.  The beach was great, but the journey there on winding gravel roads (thanks to google maps for that) was rather nerve racking.

We made it though, and went for a swim and did some exploring.

Here's me, Taylor, and Brett at the top of the hill/rock/mountain we climbed. 

After our climb we headed back, this time on the ferry not the winding gravel roads. We had a delicious barbeque and just relaxed for the evening. 

The next day we saw the Bay of Islands as it was meant to be seen, from the water.  We spent most of the day sailing around the islands on a very nice sailboat that fit 18 of us.  We had great views and even got to kayak and snorkel off the boat. 

Dolphins!! 

Here's Emma, from Northern Ireland,  and Jay Vermont (I'm not joking that's his name!), from Cali. 

We all had some much fun and were so happy with our day on the water.  After arriving back on land most of us drove back to Auckland to get ready for classes that Monday.