Whanganui

Sunday morning, we were transported in to Whanganui to meet up with our next group of hosts.  After a brief morning tea, we headed out for an afternoon of sight-seeing while Nathalie rushed off for another vocational visit. 

We walked by an old fashioned steamboat just heading up the river, went to an open glass studio called Chronicle (Whanganui is famous for its glass), and then paid $2 to ride a 100 year old elevator up through a hill.  Then, it was time for lunch in a local Irish pub.  In the afternoon, we toured the museum and art galleries as well as a very cool peace monument made out of the casts of children’s hands.  After a stop at home for a quick freshen up and cat nap, it was off to another cluster group meeting and presentation.

Monday morning was a vocational morning for everyone.  I spent the day with my host, Lei, who teaches in an intensive literacy program run out of a private training establishment (PTE).  Then we met up for lunch in a local café before heading out to a marae called Ranata.

Ranata is the name of the marae as well as a prophet, the church, and a faith.  The faith believes in the tolerance of all religions and that, one day, all New Zealanders will come together as one.  Apparently, the prophet Ranata also predicted Hitler and the September 11 attacks.

After another quick afternoon tea, we were off to club president Kate’s house for pre-dinner cocktails.  Then, it was back home for dinner after which Nathalie and Laura joined Kate for her Scottish country dancing class.

Thank you Whanganui for another great couple of days.