The Next Trip in 2010-2011

The initial stages for the next trip are underway. Parent meetings have been held at Wahroonga during Term 2 and another will be held at Brookvale in Term 3. Unfortunately cost have risen but keep in mind all the extra things we do beyond the basic trip offered by EWT. Check out the Contingency Fund used to provide a whole lot of extras. These costing are based on the last trip and will no doubt change but hopefully not by much. A lot depends on the US dollar rate for contingency. Many of these things can't be booked until a few months beforehand and others can only be paid once we arrive.

Now is the time to start getting your first deposits, application to travel, travel insurance forms returned.

San Diego and Old Town

Mighty Ducks Ice Hockey

Las Vegas

Click for Video of Bellagio Fountains

After our afternoon outing we went to the "Tournament of the Kings" show at Excalibre. Couldn't take photos during the show, but, our hero, the King of Norway, came over after the show for some photos with the students.



Then some photos at night after the show.

Disneyland

Knotts Berry Farm

Universal Studios

Hollywood By Night

Home.

Well we ALL came back. At least we counted 40 students onto the aircraft! We're home again and need to unpack, sleep, fix the desktop computer which went down the day before we left, take down the Christmas lights and decorations, put out the tree, etc. Over the next week I'll keep adding to the blog to try and complete the story. If any one has photos they'd like to include, let me know.

So ends a great trip. As expected some got more out of the experience than others, but we believe without exception everyone had a great time including the leaders. Now to start planning the next one in 2 years time. Already modifications are being considered to make it even better.

Thank you everyone for your children, your trust, your patience and your following.

Gordon and Helen Vick
and of course Kylie and Chris.

homecoming

Arrive 0750 Monday. Computer hassles so this is via my phone.
See you all soon. Disneyland was fabulous!

Anaheim

Well we're here and I don't think our feet have touched the ground. Oh, yes they have but haven't finished walking etc. Arrived in late after an hours delay and fairly much straight to bed. Early start yesterday and coach down to the Mexican border for some shopping. Many took the opportunity to buy an extra bag to bring even more stuff home. We spent a bit of time around Old Town where San Diego was first established and then onto the ice hockey match. Wow, what a match! We lost to the current leaders by one goal (3-4) but it was high tension excitement and action the whole time. I don't think I've heard our students cheer so much.
Today we're off to Knott's Berry Farm for action packed rides etc. Its getting difficult to find time to process the photos and get internet time. I'll see how it goes.
Cheers
Gordon

Leaving Las Vegas

Well we've just arrived at Gate D55 to find there is a 65 minute delay. Dang, we could have made lunch at Caesar's Palace after all. Well its been a great stay here and I think we're all a little shorter from the walking we've done. I guess it will be airport food for tea as it will be quite late by the time we get to our hotel. There was a great hot continental breakfast this morning which was appreciated by all. I'll go and sort some pictures and see what I can do before we board.

The show last night was spectacular.

Cheers

Gordon (and as always Helen, Kylie and Chris as well).
PS. It great to see the comments posted by parents. At least I kknow some of you are reading this.

Phoenix Departure

Well Hi everyone,
I'm sitting here in the departure lounge of Sky Harbor, Phoenix airport. We've successfully weaned all our students from their host families after having a great time here in Phoenix. Some luggage was over weight and friends who were under weight were needed to help out. One forgot and had all his hair gel etc removed from his carryon. They were told! But we're all safe and heading off to our adventure in LV.
There are some great stories of some of the activities our students have done in home stay and I hope some of them will add to the blog in the comments.
So parents, just a week to go. Hope you are all enjoying the break as much as I know you are missing them.
Cheers
Gordon (and Helen, Kylie and Chris).

School Day and Pot Luck Dinner

Today, Friday was school day. From all reports everyone had a great time in various classes. The daily announcements were made by some of our students over the school PA system. 30 Pizzas went down well at lunchtime and the pot luck dinner was put on by David and Elise Belnap was wonderful giving every one a chance to meet all the other families. The are a couple of photos which I will download later. In the meantime we are now into the final stage of our hosting in Mesa with families applying for adoption because they have just loved having our students. We've told them that we have to take them all home with us so let me know if you don't want them back (just joking!).

San Xavier del Bac and Old Tuscon

Well the Mission was great and the Old Tuscon Film Studios were a lot of fun.
I've heard the weather has been damp in Sydney so we've been really lucky with the weather with only on wet day (and that was last weekend), a glorious 21C with sunshine today.

Please feel free to leave comments for everyone to read.

Tortilla Flat and Goldfields

Hi everyone,

Well finally here are the photos from the day trip. Hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed the day.
Gordon and Helen Vick.

Sonora Desert Museum, Tuscon, AZ

Grand Canyon

Back on line again for our first day of exploring. On the bus after 5 days of homestay, the chatter never stopped. Sounds as if there have been some great adventures and some great new friends made in homestay and what a day for our first day out. The Grand Canyon in the snow. It was cold but clear in the early part of the day and it was fantastic to hear the surprise in the kids voices as they caught their first sight of the Canyon. We walked the rim trail, had snowball fights and took heaps of photos, some of which are here. By the end of the walk it was actually snowing and visibility almost lost. Don't worry if your son/daughter is not in a photo. They were taken at random with whoever we could catch but we did bring all 40 home! We had a fabulous day despite the cold (about -2C).

Off to the Sonora Desert tomorrow. A totally different scenario.

San Francisco

New Years Day

Well we had a really great in time in SF. Finished up with a city tour and some shopping time at Amoeba Records. The flight to Phoenix was smooth and the students were met at the airport by their host families with banners, posters, cheers and a happy birthday.

Its all been very quiet since and I guess that means everyone is happy and busy. We've done some shopping and sleeping. My host is putting on a belated Thanksgiving Dinner with family and turkey.