Day 13: Sand Tobogganing, the Tasman Sea and Off to Cairns

Wow, she does look kinda waxy!

Today they take a coach from Shoal Bay back to the airport in Sydney.

They can fly to Cairns at 1:30 and arrive at 4:30 where tomorrow, they will snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. I wasn't sure if they would hit the dunes yesterday or today but the itinerary said today. Turns out it was yesterday and Sheila posted a few great shots!

She also shared a few other photos from the last few days. From the climbing and repelling trip to the Antarctic Center and fireworks in Sydney. These kids are living large and will have stories to tell us through Christmas! They only have a few more days!

The photos below are Sheila's pics except the one I swiped from Eloise's Instagram on the right!

From the People to People Itinerary:

Welcome to Cairns, a coastal cosmopolitan city nestled in tropical northern Queensland amid two of Australia’s most treasured World Heritage destinations, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

• Challenge yourself to try sand boarding and race down the sand dunes that can be over 90 feet high!
• Travel back to Sydney to board your flight to Cairns this evening.
• Interact with local Aussie families over dinner and enjoy this unique opportunity to be immersed in local culture and learn about life in Australia. 

At the Dunes. Some of Mad Max was filmed here Sheila reports.

How fun is that!?!

At the Antarctic Center. 

Just before the repel down the mountain!

I have no idea where this is...

Fireworks over Sydney Harbor.

Day 10: Good Bye New Zealand, Hello Australia and Mystery Solved!

They are on their way to Australia!

Part two of the trip officially begins today (which is Saturday for them) and they are flying to Sydney. I got a chance to talk with Katie quickly today (via wi-fi at the airport) and she said the adventure yesterday was a killer! It was hard, challenging and mostly COLD. While it didn't happen to her, some kids had frozen feet it was so cold. I hope they warmed up today so they could make their way to the plane.

They were participating in some amazing team and confidence building activities with the company, Full On. It appears they worked their way to the top of a mountain and repelled down.

Collen Estes, a leader from the Vacaville area, posted a fantastic shot of the delegates with huge, amazing smiles and all their gear (below). The girls look pretty psyched to me! There's a video from the company about People to People delegates below.


The other day, they got to go to the Christchurch Antarctic Center to learn about the animals and research happening down south.

I stole this pic (above) from KC's Instagram because I loved it! They are getting ready to go into an Antarctic Windstorm Simulator and their faces reflect the excitement and a little hesitation as they get ready to get their faces blown off!

Sheila also posted a pic (right) of Katie and her buddies at the center where my daughter is managing to hug the crap out of a fur seal while the other girls sit casually on his back.

Of course, the thing I noticed most (because I'm the mom), is most of Katie's crap is on the ground in front of her; all spread out, including her phone. My how I haven't missed THAT around the house!

The kids should have wi-fi tonight so I expect at least a few photos.

From the People to People Itinerary: [Note: so this is weird because they did this the other day! It must be a weird out of order mistake. But they did fly to Sydney.]

• Join in the fun at the Christchurch Antarctic Center, a showcase for the unique International cooperation that exists in Antarctica today.
• Meet with people that have worked in Antarctica and have an opportunity to call a base camp in Antarctica to speak with scientists there.
• Come face to face with adorable blue penguins that have been cared for and nursed since they were chicks. 

Then it's off to Australia! Known as the Harbour City, Sydney is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches.

• G’day, mate! Welcome to Australia!
• Meet your Australian Delegation Manager upon arrival at Sydney Airport.
• Dine at a Sydney restaurant overlooking Darling Harbor, where you will have the opportunity to try kangaroo for dinner.
• Go beneath the sea at the Sydney Aquarium for a chance to discover fascinating marine life, including dugongs, turtles, and stingrays.

Sydney, Australia

Day 7: Attending School in New Zealand is Part of the Homestay

What they are feeling - wet in Picton!

Ha! The kids have to go to school today! 

At least that's the plan on the itinerary. They are still at their homestay in Picton until tomorrow. And it's raining! According to the Weather Channel, it poured last night and might hold steady today (and tomorrow). But then things should get better in Christchurch tomorrow. 

Before they left, the delegates (and parents) attended a series of meetings and the kids had to do reports on different aspects of life, culture and politics in the two countries. They learned about life in NZ and school so it will be interesting for them to actually experience it. 

Schooling is compulsory for all children in New Zealand aged 6 to 16. Children go to primary school from 5-13 years old, then secondary school (also known as college, high school or grammar school). There are also some intermediate schools for children in their final primary school years from 11-13 years old.

There's a chance the schools might be on break. I just found the schedule and the term ended in early July - not sure if that means this week or last week! (I love the last paragraph below. Everything in NZ sounds so chill!)

School usually starts at 9am and runs to 3pm or 3:30pm. There are four school terms running from late January to mid-December with two-week breaks between them and a six-week summer break at the end of the year. 

Term 1: February to mid-April - Two week break
Term 2: Late April to early July - Two week break
Term 3: Mid July to late September - Two week break
Term 4: Mid October to mid December - Six week summer holiday 

Like the rest of New Zealand, schools are peaceful, relaxed places and discipline is good. Pupils are made to feel comfortable in their learning environment and there’s less pressure. It’s an environment where young people can stress less and learn more.

They are out of Internet range until tomorrow. They are getting closer to the Antarctic and the weather is getting colder! Shelia, their leader, posted one quick pick (see below) as they boarded the ferry yesterday and commented on the temperature drop. 

An iconic landmark, Stirling Point at the southernmost tip of the South Island has this great sign that shows how far everything is from that tiny spec on the map. The Antarctic isn't that far! 

Sheila's photo from the boarding area at the ferry yesterday.

UDPATE: We got a note from late this day from Sheila and Colleen, the two leaders. Here's what she had to say:

Dear Parents, 

We are having a GREAT time...the delegates are AMAZING! Thank you so very much for preparing them so well...they are doing such a good job of representing their country. 

We appear to have brought good weather with us;-)

Auckland was sunshine and w/o wind with little chill as was Rotorua and Wellington...nicknamed their "WINDY CITY" the weather was so beautiful they took us to see some extra sights from atop Mount Victoria...from there we got to see the Byrd Expedition Monument which points the way to towards Antarctica and the South Pole.

The ferry crossing was almost as smooth as glass and our Delegation Manager, Sarah, had booked us a large area to ourselves at the front of the boat with great views and privacy to safely store our stuff as we explored and enjoyed the voyage...again, GORGEOUS weather...everyone was amazed.

We continued on our journey to Methven, South Island, on a 2 lane coastal highway (much like California's highway 1) for approx 3 hours arriving in snow flurries...Yeah! We had a terrific school visit today and all delegates seem thrilled with their homestays. 

Sheila & Colleen

From the People to People Itinerary: 

• Today, if school is in session, you will have the opportunity to attend school with local students and experience their academic and social life.
• Remember to thank your home stay family, as this will be your last night with them.