OPC

After a night in the ghostown that was Wellington, we headed off on our 5hour bus ride to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuit Center.  The week was spent doing some fun and unusual activities. 
The first day we went streaming up a river, knee deep, for some of us short people waist deep, and for others who fell in head deep.  Without too many bumps and bruises, we made it to the waterfall- a sight to behold.  A beautiful rainbow popped out and some were able to capture it.
That night folks, we recieved the most amazing Halloween care package that you could ever, and I mean EVER, imagine. Thanks to Eric's MOM! We spent the night eating chocolate and Halloween candy talking about how awesome you are.  For any other loving parental units who would also like us to think they are awesome, care packages are more than welcome!  Contact the office for details on our location.  Next stop Sydney ;-)

After our feast, we climbed, on full bellies, Mt. Tangariro, also known to Lord of the Rings fans as Mt. Doom.  Now, when I say climb, I really mean climb, not hike.  It was so incredibly steep.  When we reached the top the view was outstanding.  We were then instructed to whip out our ice axe that we luckily had stored in our packs.  With ice axe in tow, we slid, on our bums, down the 2000ft. mountain.  Yes, that is correct. Oh, and did I mention it was covered in snow, a wee little childs DREAM.

Other activities included team building excercises, high ropes course, and a field trip to the thermal pools. 

Last but not least we went caving in Okupata Caves.  This was a challenge for most as the cave was very narrow and there were some difficult squeezes, especially POOH BEARS CRACK.  Yes, that's the real name.
After caving we ventured out on our overnight camping adventure.  Canoeing for almost thirty minutes led us to a private beach island where we all set up our own camp sites from a tarp and sticks that we were given.  The night was very quite and a reflective time for most, spent alone in our tents.

OPC was a great and we did so many things that would have been so expensive to do on our own time.
Thanks to Ken and Pip our leaders at OPC.

Much love back home,

Hannah and Stephenie

Hello friends and family,
Sorry it's taken so long to get our free travel blog out (which seems like forever ago now...) but it is finally here!
After spending two magnificant days in Queenstown exploring the city and eating delicious Fergbergers and Fish &Chips, the group decided to venture out on two different free travel options.
Part of the group- MoMo and the minors (aka Simone, Samira, and Gabe)-decided to rent a camper van and drive around exploring NZ.  They ended up at Milford Sound and went kayaking.  Highlight of their trip? Seeing Penguins!
The other halfish of the group went out to the Caples Track on a three day hiking adventure.  When the driver picked us all up to take us to the trail head, none of us quite knew what we were getting ourselves into. The first day went by without too many incidents.  It took us about seven hours to reach our first hut, where we met Dan, the man, a fellow tramper.  The night was cold and the girls shared girl talk while the boys played cards as usual with Dan.
Now on to the second day....
Which was different than the first...
In the morning, Tate Beers and Ross, weren't quite feeling up to par.  But they persevered through the nine hours of grueling hiking only to see the top of the saddle for 5 minutes because it was too cold to stay up there. Mike suffered through the cold after falling into the water up to his waist on more than one occasion.  The rest of the group was out of breath most of the time after hiking some of the most trecherous domain that any of us have ever seen.  The hut could not come soon enough. 
Though it sounds like we all dispised what we were doing, have no fear we were troopers and really did love every minute.
The last day was a shorter hike to the bus stop where we waited, waited, and waited a wee bit more for the ridiculous tourist bus to pick us up and take us to Milford Sound.  We basically made the entire bus smell and they did not appreciate our tramping-selves on their bus.  After a cruise on Milford Sound through some of the most beautiful water scenery there is on this planet (including dolphins, waterfalls galore, rainbows, and seals), we returned back to Queenstown to meet up with the rest of our group.
Overall free travel was AWESOME.

Made possible by Gabe (we cannot pronounce his last name), who worked effortlessly in planning this free travel for everyone.
Love and Hugs to family and friends back home!
Miss you and love you!
FANZ

Mazol Tov from Marama

Hello Stalkers! Samira and Tate here reporting from Marama Farms!

The group had mixed experiences in the city of Auckland. For most the time was spent exploring the city and even taking time to have a ride on a dolphin at the world famous Sky Tower.


We learned lots of things like: Where to find delicious gelato, kebabs, and burgers. We learned that nothing good happens in a hostel bathroom past midnight. And finally we learned that Ross is actually an advertising model in New Zealand.



While the time in Auckland proved full of adventure and fun for most, unfortunately a couple of members were struck with the dasterdley D and spent most of the time in the hostel bathroom. No worry though, the quickly scraped together what was left of their pride and pulled themselves together to head south. So we said goodbye to one member and good bye to the North Island!


The group was weary and tired, but met with the breathtaking landscapes of Marama Farms all worries were forgotten. Soon our inhibitions, much like Graham's pant legs, were nowhere to be found. The group quickly fell in love with our most gracious hosts and made fast friends with all the other happy inhabitants of the farm. We learned all about food and nutrition and spent long hours toiling away in the kitchen to create the grandest of meals. The work varied and gave the group opportunities to discover new talents. There was painting, fencing, twig throwing, Snow watching, track clearing, and tail clippings along with daily chores and duty.  Thursday night met us with a most unexpected surprise, in the form of Jean Beliveau, the man who is walking around the world for peace and non violence. The group marveled at this great man's tales from the road and his beautiful message of peace.



The time spent here at Marama has been a major highlight for many in the group. Our hearts and stomachs are sad to leave Graham and Giselle's amazing hospitality and their lovely home. While sad to leave, we look forward to the adventures yet to come and keep the lessons we have learned close to our hearts. Until next time!!!!

Moce Fiji, Hello Auckland

Greetings from Auckland,
      We have just arrived in New Zealand after having a wonderful experience at our homestays in Togovere Village. We were wlecomed with a sevu sevu ceremony where we were offered kava and where we met our
Nau's (mothers) and the people of Togovere. The first night we got aquainted with our homestay families and went up the hill to watch an amazing sunset (which we did night after night). The days following we
worked on the driveway and the school. The whole group pitched in and worked hard by shoveling sand, making the cement mixtures, laying the cement and making the wire tracks for the driveway. It was hard working in the hot Fijian sun but the villagers knew how to do it right by aughing and having fun and making sure to make plenty of breaks and having ample time to relax. We also learned about Fiji time which is
basically the opposite of what we do in America. Instead of rushing and trying to get as much done as possible, they take their time and if something doesnt get done, theres always tomorrow. Our Nau's also made sure to feed us well. Everyday at 7:30 we had breakfast which included pie, cookies, pancakes, toast, fried bread, tea, coffee, and raspberry eggplant jam. At 12:00 we would have lunch consisting of soup, fish,
rice, noodles, cassava, mango juice, and sandwiches. Then at 5:00 we would have our favorite meal of the day, tea time. We would have tea, fried bread, pancakes, and the most delicious, addicting scones (some
group members could eat 15+ scones per tea time). Lastly at 7:00 we had dinner consisting of different curries, rice, chop suey, tarot, fish, and noodles. We all gained a few pounds. The food was hard on our
digestive systems at first (nearly everyone got sick) but we eventually were able to adapt to all the carbohydrates. We also took a tour of the Fiji water plant, as well as the elementary school where we sat in on some classes and played games with the kids. Some other highlights of the Togovere trip included learning how to plant cassava, our day trip to the beautiful island of Nanu Ira, and our trip to the village beach where
the Nau's cooked a mean BBQ that literally brought tears of joy to Ross's eyes. The group also went on a rigorous hike up Fiji's 2nd tallest mountain. Our last days in the village were the most fun filled
and our group performed some traditional Fijian dances such as the Meke. Needless to say we were all bummed to leave Togovere but are looking forward to our time in New Zealand.


Eric and Samira