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“HANSONS ON HOLIDAY”
Max and Jessica Hanson from Orcas Island, Washington
came to NZ from the US and rented a vacation mini-van. They
visited much of both islands, and parts of Australia, photo
blogging as they went.
Left, they are at Hot Water Beach building a sand barricade
to keep out the incoming tide. (Note, surf swimming for littlies
not reccommended at Hot Water Beach).
Locally, they also visited the Goldmine Experience in Thames
(see previous pages). Their blog is truly impressive, with
packing list, Kiwi word list, “what I learned”. musings on
creating a Top Ten list, and an essay on being part of the
world community. Besides hitting the tourist attractions, the
kids spent a day in a Christchurch school.
We enjoyed reading their blog and decided to contact them.
What a delight to find they are from ‘our’ island. Greg and I,
and managing editor Carol Wright, all lived and worked
together on Orcas Island many years ago!
Read more
The family made their trip an educational
adventure, including pre- trip research
and compiling a Kiwi word list that
included (after much heated debate!) the
word ‘rubbish’.
Siblings Oskar and Ingrid loved their sleeping hidey hole
in their camper mini-van.
Ingrid and Oskar valiantly build
a sand wall barrier to keep the
incoming surf out of their hot
water hole at Hot Water Beach.
• Family owned & operated villas • Weekly fee $100
• 2 & 3 bedroom villas with designs for everyone’s taste & budget
• Active residents organizing events & fun
• Thames hospital close by
NEW APARTMENTS
COMMENCING 2015
It’s all
about loving
the lifestyle...
OPEN DAYSWEDNESDAY All enquiries welcome
82 Richmond St,Thames • Ph: 0800 868 5484 • richmondvillas.co.nz
Celebrations
Pool and Spa
Village Choir
Perfect location for your new lifestyle choice! Adjacent to shops,
ammenities and healthcare facilities...providing safety, security and friendly atmosphere.
Get the Kids Amongst Nature
Moehau Environment Group have another exciting
Summer Programme planned for January, with nature
activities for all ages and abilities. Events include a series
of guided walks, Kiwi Listening and Junior Ranger days
in local campgrounds. The line-up also boasts a Starlight
Cinema event at Waikawau Bay, Upclose Kiwi Encounters
in Port Charles, a family fun run and a coastal clean-up at
Waitete Bay.
For Natalie Collicott, the group’s Coordinator, the jewel in this year’s
programme are three one day trips to Cuvier Island on the 8, 9 and10th
of January. “We are super excited to be able to offer these trips, in
partnership with DOC, as Cuvier is usually off-limits to the public.”
Participants travel by launch to the predator free island, encounter
resident endangered species and learn about the island’s fascinating
history. Numbers limited so book quick to reserve a spot. 07 866 6903.
Illustration by Miriam Silvester
from the guidebook
starts! Where the fun
SALES • REPAIRS • BIKE HIRES
535 Pollen St, Thames • 07 867 9026
.
Jan 2015
ExplorE naturE
Fun activitiEs
For tHEWHolE FaMilY
suMMEr
all FunDs raisEDGo toWarDs
KiWi HaBitat rEstoration
on tHE coroManDEl
HoliDaY
proGraMME
For BooKinGs
call 07 8666903
or visit:coroManDEl inFo cEntrE
To find out what’s on, visit pick up a
booklet from any Info Centre on the Coromandel.