A group of school friends, we were on our journey to Cape Reinga the Northeast spot of New Zealand North Island. Our way went through spectacular Bay of Islands – a tourist Mecca with numerous leisure activities. We simply couldn’t miss it! We arrived late in the evening, and after checking-in  we all went to the local pub. Around midnight a host announced a karaoke competition, a good prize was promised for the best singer, the crowed was the one to judge.The first girl sang out of tune, but the crowed gave her warm support, next  lady sang “Black Velvet” amazingly good, then there was one more contestant and after her my friend Marcella inspired by previous singers or by certain amount of beer decided to sing as well. She sang rather good and was met well by the crowed. After her there were no more volunteers, so all participants were awarded with free tickets to local leisure activities. Marcella got a pass for parasailing and I couldn’t be more happier for her aseptically as parasailing ride was tailored to carry two people at once. We couldn’t wait until  the next day.

In the morning we arrived to the pier, a boat with 10 people and a crew  was already waiting for us, so we ended up to take the last turn. All this waiting and watching other fellows soaring high in the sky, made me quite uneasy. I was breathlessly waiting for our turn and making up suitable excuses to pass on. Meanwhile brand-new parasailors  were landing one by one, looking and feeling happy. They kept saying that all fear vanishes once you are up in the sky, that the view is magnificent and that there is nothing like it.

Ok then,  I decided to overcome my fear and got ready for promised excitement. I tried not to panic and trust professionals. It’s our turn. We’re vested, strapped, hooked up and ready to go. The harness formed a seat around us, so all we had to do is sit and enjoy. The last moment instruction – to stand on your feet while landing. One, two, three, Go! Wow!  I never knew I can fly so well!  Effortlessly, gently! Just me and Marcella in the air, soaring like to birds high in the sky. It’s wonderful, peaceful, surreal. We sailed above the see, enjoying a spectacular view of numerous islands, endless ocean and the sun. It’s beautiful!  We were up and down in the air experiencing almost a free fall and then taking off high in the sky again. 15 minutes went too fast, we were about to land, but all we wished for was to carry on with our thrilling ride. It was fun I’ll never forget.

The school occupies five fabulous historical buildings located in the beautiful Albert park right in the heart of Auckland city. After couple of hours of intense studying we used to go to the Albert park for lunch, to cool off on fresh air under the trees and carry on with never-ending conversations. The school is equipped perfectly for language learning. The cozy learning center with all sorts of facilities – audio and video, internet access and a friendly teachers always ready to answer your questions – is not only a great place to study but also a hot spot to hang out, have a cup of coffee, read a magazine or watch a movie and of course chat with friends.

School offers various courses, it is also possible to organize private classes tailored for your needs. There are not more than 12 students in a group and groups are also well- mixed to keep the learning process interesting for everyone. My choice was IELTS exam-preparation course, and after that BEC. This way I hit two targets at once – improved my english level and certified my achievement by prestige paper. It helped me in future studies and career opportunities. At the same time many students came to New Zealand to spend relaxing holidays and make new friends, so their choice was the course of general english which didn’t involved examination at the end.

The school staff are high class professionals. There are the courteous  counselors and administrative personal who are ready to help you solve a problem of any kind, then there are friendly english teachers who make the learning process as efficient and enjoyable as only possible, and finally there are the fun and hip social programme managers who organize all kind of exiting activities and entertainments. All together these people made my stay in New Zealand as comfortable as I never could imagine, starting from airport pick up and arrangement of accommodation, helping with all kind of questions related to visa extension, opening bank account, insurance and so on.

The school arranges an accommodation on your chose. In my case it was a host family, lovely Liz and Patrick an old couple and their fury cat Simba living together in a cozy house in the North Shore. The host family eased  my transition to the new environment and enriched emergence to the Kiwi culture. Plus there’s always someone ready to help

Whenever you’re in a new place you inevitably start feeling home seek. But in New Zealand I simply hadn’t have time for that, being busy with digesting immense mass of experiences falling upon me. I plunged into school-social life and get lost in Auckland’s entertainments. After classes there was always an exiting social programme. We went sailing, did some sports and explored Auckland and its sightseeing. My first trip with a school was to the Piha beach. But the most unforgettable were pub crawling and boat parting.

While the intense social life mingled with no less intense studying the time run extremely fast. The last weeks before exams everyone got tense and occupied with studies. The teachers were great! I didn’t even realize, how I found myself at threshold of examination class confident and well-prepared. 4 hours to do your best, and then you are free. Relax and breath-out. Examination week is also a graduation week. Some friends were going back home, but some definitely stayed to explore the beauty of New Zealand. It was hard to say goodbye to teachers who became my dearest friends too. It officially was end of an era. What’s left – numerous photos, a fat note-book with contacts from all over the world, recognized certificates, unforgettable memories and the ultimate bound to the school we happen to spend the time of our life.

Kauri tree is a famous New Zealand sight. One of the largest tree in the world, it may grow up to 50 meters tall and live for 2000 years. Kauri tree is a New Zealand national treasure (Toanga) and is a protected species. The largest representative of this species Tane Mahuta “Lord of the Forest” and Te Matua Ngahere “Father of the Forest” are situated in the Waipoua Forest North Island New Zealand.

Related subjects:

Tane Mahuta “Lord of the Forest” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tāne_Mahuta

Te Matua Ngahere “Father of the Forest” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Matua_Ngahere

The Kauri Museum New Zealand http://www.kauri-museum.com/

The name Ninety Mile Beach is a misnomer because it is actually 88 km (55 miles) long. The reason for its name is unknown. Several theories have been put forward, the most common stemming from the days when missionaries travelled on horse back. On average a horse could travel 30 miles in a day before needing to be rested. The beach took three days to travel therefore earning it the title Ninety Mile Beach, but the missionaries did not take into account the slower pace of the horses walking in the sand, thus thinking they had travelled 90 miles when in fact they had only travelled 60.

By the way Cape Reinga has an important cultural aspect, the word Reinga is borrowed from Maori language and means the ‘Underworld’. The place itself according to Mā

ori belief simbolised the point where the spirits of the dead enter the underworld to continue their journey to their traditional homeland of Hawaiiki.

The old Pohutukawa tree lipping the rocks behind the lighthouse simbolised a maori spirit on its path the Te Ara Wairua to the final destination Hawaiiki.
Cape Reinga is one of the most visited sites of New Zealand, attracting thousands of tourists around the year. Lately government introduced a construction plan improving infrastructure and increase facilities around the area for the comfort of the visitors. In 2007 Cape Reinga was added to the tentative list of UNESCO in order to receive World Heritage Site status.

Comprised of numerous islands it gives a visitor variety of sea adventure options, including swimming with dolphins, parasailing, sailing, fishing, different boat cruises. Moreover you have a possibility to do a skydiving and enjoy the scenery in a free fall. 

For a group of people a trip to the nearby wild island can be organised, where you can enjoy a sun sea and privacy during the whole day. Charter boats can be also arranged for sailing, deep sea fishing and diving trips. 

The Bay of islands is not only a unique natural place but also a historical.

In 18th century The Bay of islands became a first european settlement in New Zealand.    

The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri. Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand.

Checkout the following site for more information http://www.northlandnz.com/events.php