myamazingtrip

Hello!

It has been lovely over the last few days. Well, as you know, I decided to visit an ordinary New Zealand family here, so I could get an overall picture about the family life. So I went out and from nowhere I find myself in a heavenly neighborhood somewhere in the beautiful part of Auckland. It was full of wonderful houses with New Zealand`s flag in perhaps every property. Which I thought was a good sign, cause it was probably many ordinary families who where living here, so I have found the right place for the right business. I knocked on some doors to ask if I could be allow to stay with them a while. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, because it was like 100 families who ignored me. But I would do exactly the same thing as them if a stranger knocked on my door and asked if he could stay with me, so I can`t sit here and complain about them. However, at last I found a family who finally let me in after my kindly presentation and a talk. I hope they got a good picture about me.


Trust me, it was not a small family at all, because it consisted of four children and a father and a mother. To be exact there were three boys and one girl. The children`s names are, Jack (8 years), Lachlan (10 years), Sophie (14 years) and Ryan (15 years). The mother`s name was Charlotte and where 36 years old, and the father, James, where 37 years old. Anyway, the family in its entirety was lovely, pleasant and friendly. They stick together as a family, which was very important according to them. This family such as other families here usually lives in houses which are built separately from their neighbors. But the houses here looks like Australia’s, you know a house with one floor and a big garden outside.


It took a while before I understood how the school looks like here in Auckland. But after some info from Ryan, I finally got it. The fact is that I think that the students begin the school quite early here, because they namely start year 1 when they are five years old. Compare to Sweden, we begin year 1 at the age of seven. So you could say that a five year old student was as smart as me when I was seven. Wow. But I think that a child who is five years old shouldn`t begin school yet, he or she should play instead, because they are still a kid. Anyway, Jack and Lachlan are studying at the primary level by now, but when Lachlan gets eleven years old he could either pursue two more years at the primary school or at a specialist intermediate school. Sophie and Ryan are studying at the high school though. In fact, you start the high school at the age of thirteen which is divided into two divisions, the junior secondary and senior secondary. In total the children spend thirteen years in schooling where you high schooling five of those 13 years. To be precise the junior secondary is between year nine to eleven and the senior secondary is between years eleven to thirteen. However, after the school Jack, Lachlan and Ryan usually went out and played rugby which is a huge sport here, but Sophie was rather with her friends.


The living and the lifestyle here is very good, it`s even so good that it is the third best country in the world to live in! I think I have already told you about the things like activities and such. But I can tell in brief again to you that here is everything you can imagine yourself. Speaking of which, Auckland has one of the best lifestyles in the world! Quite amazing, right? Nevertheless, it`s a really friendly city where everybody seems to live healthy and happily. Apart from that, everyone seems to enjoy their lives as well, so no wonder why it is a friendly city. Sweden is also a really good country in my opinion, because it`s an open country which make Sweden multicultural. But there are some things that could be better in Sweden, like that the people should be more kindly, because sometimes they are cold and selfish.


The children must be so lucky to live in an awesome country like New Zealand which is modern and has a democratic system where the human rights are 100 % respected like Sweden. The people here are also very broad-minded and different, and therefore New Zealand also got a multicultural mix. Due to New Zealand’s social welfare don’t almost things like hunger and such exist, and it also reminds me of Sweden’s welfare which is also quite good. But I think that these good welfares depends on how much dwellers a country have, because a country who got smaller population and a good economy like New Zealand and Sweden, they got better welfare than a country with many residents and bad economy. However, here you are open and welcoming to everyone which I saw in this family that I visited.


There is every type of work here, but James works as a doctor and Charlotte is a teacher. Every morning Charlotte drives the children to the school so that she can go to her own school thereafter. She ends her work at 2 o’clock and directly picks up the children on the way home. James starts his job early in the morning and end at 4 o’clock, and he is always home in the right time to eat some delicious food which Charlotte has made for the family. You can think that it is the mother who does all the work home and taking care of the kids, but it´s not always like that, because sometimes if James have holiday it`s his turn to taking care of the children and the home. But about the income, it`s of course James who got a larger income than his wife, so it`s basically the father who livelihood the family. There is almost in every family in the world where the father got a better job than its wife and earns more money. I don’t know what it depend on but it may have connections with the deficient equality.


Alright, this was basically all I could tell you about the family life here and I hope you got a nice picture of it. But sadly I have to inform you that this was my last post, which means that we never gonna see each other again. I`m actually going to leave this country tomorrow, so this is my last day here. It`s so boring! I wish that I could stay here for a longer time and share every moment with you guys. But the time runs fast when you got fun. So before I finish, I hope you enjoyed my posts and got a lot of new knowledge about New Zealand. I had a hell lot of fun!!!

Farewell, visitors.

http://www.immigration.co.nz/life-new-zealand/education-employment/

http://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/life-in-new-zealand~5.html

Hey everybody

Look who`s back, me of course, Mr.x. Have I mentioned before anything about what I’m interested in? I don’t think I haven’t. But okay, if you haven’t managed to figure it out earlier, I tell you that nothing makes me more interested than the stunning city, Auckland. That’s also the reason why I’m in Auckland. So today I have just mostly spend my time on the streets to explore Auckland`s eye-catching buildings and more. This day was also good for my health, now when I think about it. Because I’ve been wandering almost the whole day, so it was like a painless workout. Anyway, today I have learned so much about this city, I’m almost a professor in Geographic’s about Auckland right now. It was a lot of things I didn’t knew about Auckland.

Alright, first of all there is a really mild climate here and did you know that Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand? Well, if you didn’t, now you know it! To be exact, there is 1,4 million dwellers who lives here. You see it`s not a small city at all, right? But nonetheless, there´s a city called Wellington which is smaller than Auckland but the capital of New Zealand. There is totally 4,5 million peoples in New Zealand, so if I’m right, one third of the population lives here in Auckland. In Sweden the population is twice as more and the area of Sweden is not quite twice as large as New Zealand`s.   The city itself is located in the North Island of New Zealand. One thing I didn’t know was that Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. About that, it was the Maoris who were here first as dwellers due to the fertile land. But then the Europeans came and managed to colonize it. Later the city was founded in 1840 and named by George Eden. In that year this city was the capital, but some years later Wellington was the capital.

Wherever you are in Auckland, you`re never far from magnificent surroundings.  Here is beautiful beaches, refreshing walks, relaxing holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife. Auckland is more than a great city, it´s full of things you can do and see. Well, as you know I’m mostly interested about the central part of Auckland, because here is a charming city life. The culture, food, shopping and the adrenaline packed activities are just some few examples about Auckland central. I got really wrong when I thought that I almost had done everything here. So far as I know I have just done a fraction of all the experiences. The jet boat and sailing experience, the bungy off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the shopping, the Auckland Zoo experience, the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium, Kelly Tarlton`s Antarctic Encounter and underwater World, the Mission Bay, the Auckland Art Gallery and Museum, the Tamaki Hikoi (Auckland Walk) and the Viaduct is both attractions and places I haven’t ride or visit yet. Told you, there are a lot of things you could do here. I`m though thinking of to take a walk in Auckland`s largest park, Auckland Domain, tomorrow.

Auckland is home for many cultures, and it may depend on the history when the Europeans came after the Maoris. But aside from that, is it now many immigrants, who immigrate to New Zealand and especially to Auckland. I don’t know, but I think it may depend on the jobs and opportunities.  Sweden is also a multi-cultural country, because there are lots of immigrants who come here due to their living condition in their home country. Or simply they are coming here for study or work.

However, I hope you got a little glimpse of info about Auckland, because that was all for this time. Now, I’m so on for some spot of shopping at the huge shopping centers where I`m going to shop till I drop. Thereafter I am going out at the night to see the colorful and passionate nightlife. I can`t wait for this!

Have a good time!


www.newzealand.com/int/auckland/              www.sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland

Howdy!
I`m back guys and in the best shape ever. Please, don’t get jealous, but guess what I did today? I have done a Sky jump at Auckland`s Sky Tower! Wow, this was truly an unforgettable experience. I can`t find any words to describe it. It was just great! My fingers are still shaking, but you should have seen me up there when it was my turn to jump. Anybody who saw me would think that I where doing dance moves where you shake your body a lot. The situation didn’t got any better when I looked down though. But I realized that it wasn’t time to back off, it was showtime! So I somehow managed to come over my fear and jump. Wow, the feeling while I where falling softly straight down was awesome! Nevertheless, the view was just a great bonus. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I had a view all over the wonderful city.

It was thanks to the commercial on the TV yesterday that gave me this info about this experience, because it said that every day there is Sky Jumping and Sky Walking at Auckland`s Sky Tower. I also heard that this was a don’t-miss experience and the most thrilling attraction. I got totally sold on the commercial, so I was definitely on to this experience. I was already jittery and high-strung before I even went out to buy the tickets. I’m kind of afraid of heights, but ain`t no “tower” high enough for me, or not. However, I hoped that I would return back safely, which I did, and I begged that I wouldn’t get a heart attack, which I almost got while I was up there.

Oh yeah, here is some facts about the tower. Well, the tower is located in the heart of Auckland City. The tower is 328 meters and the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand! The Sky Jump was at the high of 192 meters! But that`s not all, there is also a restaurant there which is Auckland`s only 360-degree revolving restaurant. There`s also a Sky Lounge where you can chill out and take some light refreshments. I can`t just keep thinking about why Sweden doesn’t have an attraction like this. The only attraction in Sweden who looks like this is atmosfear in Liseberg. But there are still huge differences between the atmosfear and the Sky jump, because the atmosfear is a free fall and the Sky jump is a base jump. And you can find free falls in every amusement park, but you will just find the Sky Tower with its attractions just in Auckland. Therefore this was a really special experience. But I hope that there are going to be an unique attraction in Sweden in the future, so that every tourist who visit Sweden and the attraction will always remember it.

This is an attraction you must ride and a building you must visit if you`re here in Auckland. I promise, this is the most interesting place to visit. Because you don’t see this attraction and the building anywhere and after a Sky jump you will have some breathtaking memories for rest of your life. I don’t think that you do a base jump from 192 meters everyday either. And one base jump from 192 meters is enough for a feeling you never have felt before.

This was the first time I did this kind of experience, and probably the last time. I`m so happy that I have done it, because I have manage to overcome my fear. Anyway, I have done it and next time it`s your turn to give it a shot!

By the way, tomorrow I’m going to eat a delicious seafood meal with my friends at the Auckland`s 360-degree revolving restaurant at the Sky Tower. It`s gonna be really tasty and I`m just truly looking forward to it. Well, this was basically all I wanted to say, so that`s it for this time. Hope you enjoyed it!

See ya!

 www.skyjump.co.nz/

Hi guys!
I`m so ready for new experiences, and the first was absolutely amazing. I was so tired from yesterday but after a much-needed bath in the Jacuzzi where I chill out, I´m rested as never before. It was quite boring in the hotel room now when I was alert, but suddenly the ringtone to my mobile started to go off. I answered the phone and it turned out to be one of my mates here in New Zealand who wonders if I could tag along with him to a rugby game. To be exact he said he had one ticket over for the game. And what can I say? Perfect timing, or what? Well, you might have already figured out the answer, but if you haven’t, I can briefly tell you that I said yes. I couldn’t first believe it, that I’m gonna see a rugby game with the masterful rugby team, All Blacks, tonight. Isn’t that great? This day can`t get better. I’m just so stoked.

Here is little fact about the game. Well, first of all, rugby is New Zealand`s national sport and here it has become somewhat of a religion, like a part of the country`s culture. But in Sweden are the wintergames bigger and a bit of a national sport, cause the weather. Anyway, the All Blacks, the team I`m gonna watch, are one of the most feared opponents in the rugby world. They wear black jerseys with the silver fern and do always perform the Haka (war dance). And for those who might not know how the game is played - rugby is a rough and tumble game consisting of 15 players each side, trying to get an oval shaped (rugby) ball across the try line. A rugby game is a really big sporting event here.

After the game......

Whoa, this is what I call a real event. This was incredible! I’m still flabbergasted over the atmosphere on that field. I´ll tell you, I’ve never seen or experienced these kinds of rugby games before. I`ve only seen this in movies before, but now I’ve seen it for real!

Alright then, the game were between New Zealand`s All Black and Australia`s Wallabies. These two extremely great teams are rivals, so no wonder why there were an intense atmosphere. However, the match took place here in Auckland in Eden Park which is New Zealand’s largest stadium with a capacity of 50 000 seats. I swear, the stadium was overcrowded. 

Have you seen the All Blacks entrance before? If you haven`t, it’s time to see it. Just that dance! I would run for my life if the players in All Blacks stood right in front of me and did the Haka (war dance). I would even run if I saw one of the players face. Trust me, they were creepy and they are really bad guys. You will agree with me when you see it. But I couldn’t still understand that, how the wallabies could stand there and watch the All Blacks in their eyes, during the Haka. They truly hated each other.  You could almost smell the hate, you could almost touch it. I thought that this would end up in a war, which it more or less did. Except that, I felt so sorry for the small players among the giants. Because from the beginning to the end they faced a lot of beat. But it was not just the small ones who got whacked, everyone on the field busted up each other as well. It looked like they were just after each other, not after the ball. Everyone on the field was just like, oooooohhh, when a player got brutally tackled. And I can just say one word about the crowd, WILD! I mean, it was just off the hook, you know? Just crazy! Anyway, when the referee blew in his whistle to signal that the game is over, everyone got twice as crazy. And I understood why, when I saw the scoreboard of course. All blacks did really made mock out of the wallabies. This game was spot on. I could just no more than praise the All Blacks this day, and thank them for the masterly game. Now, if you`ll excuse me, I have some work to do, to go to bed.

Cheerio!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team

Hey there!
After a long and an approximately boring flight from Sweden I finally reached my destination, New Zeeland. I arrived at the largest airport in New Zealand in New Zealand`s biggest city, Auckland. Curiously, if I heard correctly, this city is not the capital of New Zealand. Instead there is a city called Wellington which is the capital.

Anyway, I took a cab from the airport which drove me instantly to my beautiful hotel, which is centrally located in the heart of Auckland City. And guess what, the hotel is a 5 star masterpiece. There is everything you can wish for at this hotel!

However, today is a special day here in New Zealand. To be precise, it`s the Waitangi day which is also known as the National day. Waitangi is namely the birthplace of the nation. Honestly, I didn’t have a single clue about this day, and that is, to say, embarrassing. And you may wonder now, how did he then find out that this day is today? Uh, well…yesterday I were hanging out with some friends that I newly have met, and from nowhere when we sat in a milk bar, they started to talk about this day. And I listened carefully of course. Anyway, now I know it and got everything under control.

Oh yeah, you may don`t know so much about this day so for that reason you just have to search for the facts by yourself... Hah! No, I just am kidding. I will of course give you some info about the Waitangi day. First of all, it all started with that New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at the Treaty house in 1840, which was located on the huge park-like Treaty grounds. The house was and is like a home for the Maoris and one of the largest remaining Maori war canoes. However, in year 1840, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is New Zealand`s founding document. Nevertheless, this day has been a public holiday since 1974! By the way, this is a yearly public holiday every February 6th. Alright, this was a briefly info about the Waitangi day I could offer you guys! Personally it is a holiday for me but for the Maoris it means a lot.

I heard that this day is unique and at this day will every sense get “alerted”. I can`t wait for the festival, I’m just so excited!!! This day will taking place at the city’s birthplace, Okahu Bay Domain. There is some history behind this place which is that the Maori chiefs were just here in 1841 when they invited Governor Hobson to create the city. My new pals did also told me that it will be plenty of surprises at this Bay. And I was like, “please tell me”. And if I heard right, there would be sailing yachts, a flotilla of waka (war canoe) and contemporary boats which arrives at Okahu Bay to a traditional Maori haka powhiri (welcome ceremony). I did also notice something called the Ngatokimatawhaorua (which I thought was a joke first time I heard it, which wasn’t), but it’s one of the world`s largest Maori ceremonial waka (war canoe). There would be an enormous wooden vessel floating on the bay with paddlers and passengers. And things I don`t see in everyday life.

Finally after the naval salute and the speeches from Maori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries, it`s time for the three-day festival, where everything can happen. There is going to be musical entertainment by talented local artists, cultural performances, Maori games and sports competitions, dance and last but not least some food. One of my mates told me that, when you taste the food here at this day you would understand the word enjoy in “enjoy your meal”. There are different dishes at this day like different kinds of fish, fried bread, curry chicken, roasted lamb and beef and something called chopsuey and more. About the games, is Ki-O-Rahi an example for a Maori game.

I told my fellows that this day got both differences and similarities with the Swedish national day. I said that in Sweden we do most of these things as well but in other ways. Like we both eat food at the national day but not the same food as each other. Such as in Sweden you eat something called “smörgåstårta” if I remember right. Trust me, it didn’t sound that well when I tried to translate it into English. But I managed to explain it to them that it’s a cake made of sandwiches with seafood, salad and mayo on it, and that it could be stuffed with other eatable things as well. My friends seemed to understand the dish actually, but after a long time. So after all, there are not so big differences in relation to the activities, except for the three-day festival. And about the clothes I told them that in Sweden’s national day they wear typical dresses which look like those clothes the Swedish population wore for 100-200 years ago, which is of needle work. But here they wear a kilt-like skirt which is made of several plants and got a Hawaii and Indian style. The differences on the clothes may depend on the weather and the climate or how “old” the culture is.

However, this day will without any doubt give me a sampling of their culture and history and an insight into what it means to be a New Zealander and a whole lot of fun! And today I will of course party and dance till I drop!

See ya!

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/events/events

Hello my fellows, first of all I would like to present this travel blog for you. One thing you don’t know about this blog is that it’s not real, it’s a fake blog. As you know the school has started again and this is a school project. And about that, even if this travel blog is spurious are the facts about the country that I’m going to "visit" real. However, enough said about this blog and let me barely introduce myself. You can from now on call me Mr.x, because sadly you won’t get my real name. And by the way, I’m from Sweden.

All right then, I hope you will enjoy this blog while you follow every moment in New Zeeland with me, and of course the pleasure will be on my side. Well, it’s time for me to get back in business.

Catch ya l8er!