back to normality

Well, it's been ten days since we returned, and it was straight back to school (for some, anyway). It was a really good experience to live in another culture, where English was not the first language, and where the way of life was different. We were told by the Principal that we would feel homesick (and some did), that we would come up against challenges and obstacles (which we all did), and that we would grow and mature as individuals (which we did). We've made some new friends, learnt a lot about ourselves and others, and would be keen to repeat parts of it again. That would mean, of course, more scratchy boards, more barbeques, more begging for raffle prizes, etc.
We are grateful to our parents and friends who supported us over these last ten months or so, to the Principal and Board of Trustees who allowed us the opportunity to do the trip, and we thank all our fellow travellers for their friendship and companionship.
Au revoir, tout le monde.

last day

Today was the trip to the Lighthouse on Amedee Island. It was a roughish sort of crossing, and not as hot as it has been in recent days. You can climb the 229 steps to the top of the lighthouse, go in a glass-bottomed boat to see coral and all sorts of fish and sharks, go out towards the reef and feed sharks there - they love bread. There's also a demonstration of coconut tree climbing, and the boys and Paigan also made their way up. Then they demonstrated how to cut open coconuts and grate it ready to eat. During the buffet barbeque lunch, we were treated to local songs and dancing by Pacific Islanders, and they also had a number up trying to copy them too.
Later there was a demonstration of various ways to tie a pareo - we just have to get the weather in Invercargill to be able to wear them!
The swimming and snorkelling was enjoyed by many of the group as well, and the snakes were interesting to see - apparently quite venemous, but not aggressive. We'd been warned about them, so were well prepared to keep bags closed in case they curled into them.
This evening we dined at a creperie, and packing is now in progress - how will it all fit in?
Tomorrow night in Auckland, then to Invercargill on Sunday.
Au revoir.

This is the lethal guillotine - which has actually been used in Bourail - and still is in working order. He asked for volunteers, and almost everyone pointed the finger at one person - can you guess who?

After visiting the cemetery we went to a nearby beach for lunch and a swim. There's a "pierced rock" - which is why the place is called Roche Percee, where you can get through a hole in the rock at low tide. It was a relaxing time there till we could visit the Bourail Museum and get an account of the history of the town, including the connection that New Zealand has through its war involvement. Presently there's an exposition of things connected to the war efforts of the NZers in Wellington.

Meg, after she'd placed a poppy and the Southland Spirit of a Nation flag on a headstone at the New Zealand cemetery in Bourail. A contingent of 2500 soldiers was based there in the Second World War, and about 50 lost their lives in the South Pacific. I thought they were buried there, but our bus driver seemed to think they were just plaques commemorating their deaths - will have to ask Syd Harvey from Tuatapere, who was based there and who visited again a year ago after 63 years.

We ate in the canteen twice - other days we got a packed lunch of a sandwich (half a baguette with lettuce and ham). This meal was pasta, casserole meat, green beans, bread, kiwifruit, and water to drink. The naughty children have to wipe the tables down when it's needed. Children go in their classes, and it's constant from 11.30 onwards. About an hour later students from the high school next door come over for their meal. Parents pay once a term for this and it's really quite cheap, but you have to swipe your ID card to get it.

And now we are all starting to get bitten by mosquitoes! Free day tomorrow - so look out, shops! Actually, not really, because prices are fairly high. It will be the swimming pool at the hotel which will take the hit. May as well make the most of it because we hear the weather's not great at home.

And Lucy managed to get away - 4.00am start for her and Kathryn this morning to get her to the airport, but it was worth being there that bit earlier than the hundreds of others. Hope the rest of her tournament goes well.

all the children

Here we all are waiting for parents to pick us up after our visit to Tjibaou Cultural Centre. The host students were allowed to come as well, but one decided to stay at school because she had a French test! The day was so hot, unfortunately, and the bus to and fro wasn't air-conditioned, and it was quite noisy at the centre and a bit rushed, but there was some interesting material there to be seen. School gates are locked during the school day, and you have to ring a bell to be allowed in. Supervised by people who aren't teachers - same in playground, in canteen, and in classroom when the regular teacher isn't present.

last day of school

Well, today was the last morning of school - I taught four classes before 11.30, while Kathryn sorted things out for Lucy, who was due to come back today, but because of a strike at the ariport somewhere (typically French), she has now been rebooked for tomorrow - leaving the hotel here at 5.00am.
We had lunch in the canteen, with a meal that was not quite so appetising as last week, but it was free for us. In the afternoon we went to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre with the host children. The building is architecturally fascinating, and it tells the history of the local Kanak people, but it seemed to be so much hotter today, or maybe we were more tired, so its effect was somewhat reduced unfortunately.
Tomorrow we get on a bus (airconditioned, we hope) to go to Bourail where there is a New Zealanders' cemetery. It's the students' last night with their homestays tonight, and tomorrow morning they will get dropped off at school ready to wheel their bags back to the hotel before we leave for Bourail. Some of them are dropped off at 7.00am, I heard today, so no wonder they are feeling a bit jaded now.
Forgot to bring my camera down to transfer the photos for this, but maybe tomorrow.

The setting for Kathryn and me to have a little snack after classes had finished last week with Andree, the teacher responsible for setting up our programme and organising the homestays, etc. She is wonderful.

Emily and Kathryn at the Maritime Museum standing on the area of the Pacific after whom they were named - Wallis and Futuna Islands - they were obviously born to speak French.

Ryan trying to escape the camera - he's spent a lot of time in the water at the beach where we have migrated many afternoons. Used plenty of sunscreen, so he has not ended up being burnt, as some have.

Kathryn and I spent part of Sunday afternoon with the family where Ashleigh is staying, and were jealous of her lifestyle - out of her bedroom into the pool is what she can do each day. We enjoyed afternoon tea in their garden, with tarts made by the mother and Hortense - delicious!

Tonight we have just come home from dinner at the family where Lucy is staying, and it was a delightful evening - these children are so lucky to have had this experience.

Meanwhile, we have had to ask for towels the last three days because they have forgotten to leave us some, and most days, if we don't time it right, we wait a few minutes for the water to come back on in the shower. At least internet is back on. However, the hotel really is ok - it's just so handy to where the school is, it's right over the road from the beach, there's a busstop at the front door and lots of shops and restaurants handy.

One thing we didn't factor into the risk management was the French tradition of a strike - Lucy was supposed to come back tomorrow for a basketball tournament, but the flight was cancelled, as we found out by chance, but hopefully she will get away on Wednesday!

We are having lunch tomorrow in the school canteen and then all the children, including the hosts, are going by bus to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, which should be quite an experience. And that's it then for school here. The kids have started to really bond well, and it will be hard to leave.

A la prochaine fois donc - till next time then - bonne nuit.

all is going well

Sorry there have been no posts for the last few days - internet at hotel out! Kathryn and I had paid for an hour ot time each and found it went so quickly, so we got a 24 hour usage for the same cost as four individual hours, and then it broke down - so frustrating.
Anyway, things are going well - homestays are great and everything is laid on for us.
Friday we went to Maritime Museum and then toured a supermarket with a list of questions to answer, then time for a quick McFlurry beofre returning to school. Buses are ok, we thought, until yesterday when Kathryn and I may have been stranded for hours perhaps - a kind lady took us in her car.
No alcohol sold this weekend again - to curb the problems that it causes in the streets by groups of young ones - perhaps the City Council might consider it! Glass everywhere too on the footpaths.
Tomorrow going to another beach, then to the Cultural Centre with host children on tuesday - they are allowed the afternoon off school to accompany them, so that is nice.
Hope to get photos to you tomorrow if we can from hotel.

yay nc

omg at this school i have made heaps of friends even one best friend named romane she is so nice i got really sun burnt yesterday though because i forgot to put on sunscreen whoopsie the caanteen food here is really disgusting as well but we have to eat it i ran out of money the other day so i texted my nana and said i need more money so hopefully she puts more on my card. BYE BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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Our Holiday So Far! (Lucy & Ashleigh)

Hi Everyone!

We just thought we would let you know how New Caledonia is going!

Well...We have been getting up really early because school starts reeeeeeeally early!
Today we are going snorkelling at Master Island which will be super fun! We went to Mcdonalds yesterday it was really yummy!Its really hot over here and we are getting a really good tan, bet your all jealous! Tomorrow we are going shopping again we think! We are all having so much fun and eating good food! The ice creams over here are really yumm! Everything is really really really expensive! Lucy is cool and so is Ashleigh!

Hope you are all having a great holiday!
See you very soon!

Lots of love from Ashleigh and Lucy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx =]

retail therapy

Today was a half day at school, although some students finish at 9.30! Most went back to their families, to play football or go cycling or whatever, but most of the girls went shopping - we found some better ones today, with grateful thanks to Clara, Rowena's host sister.
Much cooler today.