Alex's school - Dunedin North Intermediate

 In New Zealand, Alex was moved up to 9th grade and has to wear a uniform to school. Dunedin North Intermediate or DNI is an international school that is just down the street from us. Alex was not looking forward to wearing a uniform to school, but after the first week, he doesn't think it is such a big deal now. 

Alex's uniform and our awesome fake dear head.

DNI hosted an amazing technology center with classes focused on computer and graphics.

Alex biking to school (of course)

So far, Alex has been approached by the local Ruby Coach and Soccer Coach. I was hoping that he would do Rugby since it is such a New Zealand sport, but since he has loads of soccer experience...he opted to be on the 14yr old team.  Sports and an active lifestyle are a big part of the Kiwi lifestyle here. Several times when I have pasted Alex's school during recess after lunch, I have seen Alex and his friends without shirts or shoes tackling each other in the mud. I don't know if his uniform will make it to the end of the year.... 

 Coach Quilla and Alex's Soccer Team 

Alex at logan park for practice

Alex's class swimming on Wednesday afternoons

Glow worms in New Zealand

                      YES! Glow worms are in New Zealand! 
I was so jacked to check these little guys out.Since we finally got a car after landing on the south island, this would be the first excursion out of Dunedin.

Habitat

Glow-worms need damp places, where the air is humid and still, to construct their snares. Caves and old mining tunnels are ideal. In the forest glow-worm snares are commonest on moist banks beside a stream or in a ravine.

Light display

The glow-worm’s tail-light shines from an organ which is the equivalent of a human kidney. All insects have this organ but the glow-worm has a unique ability to produce a blue-green light from it.

The chemical reaction that produces the light consumes a lot of oxygen. An airbag surrounds the light organ, providing it with oxygen and acting as a silvery reflector to concentrate the light.

"We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow worm." 
--Winston Churchill

Super thick forests here - very lush and green! We loved the hike up the the worms and waterfall.
   
I love the little differences.... 

• The "Trails" are called "Tracks" 

• All the hikes give the "estimated time" for the walk instead of the length of the trail.
• "Flashlights" are called "Torches"

New Zealand Free Ride Film

After two weeks down-under, Alex and I work to get some sweet bike footage.
This is our first cut of Alex hitting Dunedin's pavement with downtown style. 
Look for more films coming to you by our "Eugene Claudbark Production Crew"

Click here for video - New Zealand Free Ride

Ellie's school in Dunedin, New Zealand

North East Valley  Normal School

I love that Ellie's school is described as "Normal" - that is a term to explain that it is a "teaching school"

Ellie class room!

The school is keen on finding ways to express bi-cultualism through music, dance and art! 

Click here for Ellie's school website

The Maori language used though-out the school.

• Every friday, her school hosts an assembly and parents are invited to see what is new. Inside the 120year old gym building that even has massive glass windows...the kids sang a traditional Maori songs and then awards were given to students based on sports achievements, help fullness and academics.  This photo show - Ellie being recognized by the school for her 3rd place cross country finish.
• When Ellie was introduced as a new student and asked where she was from, she said, "From Missoula, America"

This sign in the gym has names of all the kids who died in World War One 1914 and the South African War 1889-1902.

 Go Team!

Ellie racing ahead

3rd Place! Good on ya Ellie!

First Trip to the South Pacific Ocean

Since we still don't have a car, we took the Yellow Line Bus straight from our house all the way down to St. Claire beach. Dunedin local Beaches Link  ....Because it is winter here in August, we were bundled up against the harsh cold sea wind. Our first signal that we are not in our normal element was this sign...."Shark Warning Bell"  Anyone can ring the bell! I really wanted to know what it sounded like - maybe a siren? I imagine something alarming for sure, no school bell or ding dong. But, luckily for the surfers out in the waves, we didn't get to hear it. 

 Kids getting their feet wet in the freezing salt water

Ellie with her new shell collection

Ellie's shell arrangement

Jen and John

Of course nobody was out in the freezing water without a full-body wet suit but our kids. They were soaked immediately, luckily John is very type "A" and brought some extra warm clothes.

yeah!!!!!!!!!

Brrrr! It is cold at the Beach!

John and Ellie

Great day at the beach!

Downtown Dunedin, New Zealand Bike and Skate Park

Moving to New Zealand from Montana

Air New Zealand - now our favorite airline...!

United Air line was lame and charged us an extra $600 for our bikes, but Air New Zealand did not- they want folks to bring gear. We sure did - all our backpacking, rock-climbing and mountain bike gear!
Needless to say, we didn't bring much clothes...that was the hardest thing to for pack for a year.

The kids did awesome after all the flights....

 

 

 

 

 

Poor kids, Alex slept 16 hours straight after no sleeping on the plane...!)

Imigration went fairly smooth...except for our tents, shoes, bikes and other gear were taken from us to check. Being an Island, they are super careful about any noxious weeds

                                                              

Dunedin, New Zealand Arrival!

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Brrrrrr! It was cold in Dunedin! We had to scramble and open our luggage for coats, hats and gloves!