What`s+happening+on+TOUR

= __Day One diary:__= This page will feature any little fun moments and plenty of pictures taken by myself of the group in action on the Court. Please feel free to go onto the the discussion link at the top of this page and write to me. If you don`t know what to do go back to the front page and follow the instructions about joining...**__SIMPLE__** - talk soon Gareth:-)

=__Our Flight to LA is: QF025 - 2nd December @ 7.40pm__=

=**PLEASE SCROLL down this page**= The diary page JUST keeps on-going.........

=**__2nd December:__**=

Meeting at SHGC Carpark at 2.45pm for a 3pm departure. Good Morning Everyone, Today we had our first experience of the rich and famous - running into David Beckham at Auckland Airport and for some reason he didn`t want his photo taken with us?! The 12 hour flight did not seem to knock us about too much and everyone is still rather excited. We met our billets tonight and there was an arguement about who was going to go with the family who had the hummer vehicle...all of us are staying in pairs and having a really great time with our hosts - we have been extremely well cared for, breakfast on the run each morning from a local coffee shop and then to the school cafe for a bagel (I had a banana just to keep my healthy body going - you like that one Mrs Duncan :-) Talk soon to you all. Gareth:-)

=__3rd December:__= Monterey Weather http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USCA0724.html

http://www.mbayaq.org/



Good Morning Everyone,

WOW...what a beautiful place this is - Monterey Aquarium! This would be a great field trip for any of our classes back in NZ. We also had a visit to a local family business that exports and grows lettuce, brocolli and cellery...the kids found this all a little slow, but the adults were okay. Today was about preparing for our games against the Mariners from Marina High School settled amongst the old Fort Ord Army Camp (ex-Boot Camp). The Marina High School has only been open 2 years and they were really excited to see us, they had their Hall open with students listening to loud music dancing and sliding about - of couse, our troops joined in and the party was on!!! Interesting concept - they feed us before the game started (I thought this was a plan to get us off the game focus - SO - Tep and I ate the potato chips and left the bread and salad for our athletes - the things you do for sport!!)

Game time - We arrived at the Gymnasium to a 50 plus crowd and the local TV Station and Stadium announcer who wanted to check with me the kids names so that he could read their names out as they run onto the Court - this was absolutely special, they made us feel like the Tall Blacks, Silver Ferns some sort of major International side anyway (I`ll put the Television link onto the site so you can go and watch parts of our game)

The Girls took the Court and out played their opposition looking a little nervous, but took control of the ball very early. Mariner ladies couldn`t keep up as we took the match - 77 to 11. ONE win on the board!! Game time for the boy started in the same fashion with the sponsors of the game `Wal-Mart` CEO presented the teams with a Basketball and we did our Waiata and Haka - you all would be extremely proud of your children...they did a fantastic job of entertaining and the crowd went NUTS!! The boys took a little while to assert dominance on the game and finally beating the Mariners 63 - 39.

A great day. We got back to our billets at 9.30pm and straight home to our fabulous hosts. I`m billeting with Tep (Mr Te Wharau) and we have found our host LOVES all the things that we do...just amazing really, Tv, sport and food - (not Elvis - don`t know why?) God Bless you all at home and a BIG hi to the TAPS Team - missing yo all. Gareth Duncan:-) All photos so far will be put online sooooooon - I`m accessing a school computer this morning and have 30 minutes use time. Sorry, I`ll be back soon.

=__4th December:__= We are here at school early this morning (North Monterey High School) because Roger our billet has a faculty meeting that started at 7.30am. Tep and I have gone for a brisk walk from the car to the classroom and have put the aircon on...a little cold here today 13 - 14 degrees. I`ll give you more information on our day tomorrow sometime...We are off to Pebble Beach Golf Course and to drive the Cannery Row - it is the Million dollar PLUS housing Estate (Maureen - I`ll keep an eye out for our holiday home!)

TALK soon everyone...Gareth:-)

Today we played Robert Lewis Stevenson School $25,000 a year!!!!! - What a beautiful place to visit and play basketball. The school was nestled right amongst the famous Pebble Beach Golf course. During the break before the game Tep and I had a walk around the school campus and visited the office area and also the student common room. The school has 500 students who come from all around the World and board at the school - The actual school look like Hogwarts off Harry Potter.
 * __`The Expensive CAB ride day`.....__** We are supported by Megan and Lance who have finally tracked us down for a - $150 Taxi ride to find our game in Pebble Beach.

The Girls lost their game 41 - 32. The girls really just ran out of steam given that they didn`t have a bench to call on. The opposition rolled out a team of 14 Girls against 6 - Well done our Girls!! The Boys lost their game to a VERY structured and organised team losing 51 - 39.

=__5th December:__ YOSEMITE :http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm= == ==

Yosemite Falls is fed mostly by snowmelt. Peak flow usually happens in late May, but by August, Yosemite Falls is often dry. It begins flowing again a few months later, after winter snows arrive. Hiking maps http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/valleyhikes.pdf
 * Did You Know?**

On our way to Yosemite and the weather is a little cooler as we drop down into the basin of California. All the kids have their thermols on and are ready for any elements thrown our way. The troops have arrived looking very tired this morning so the rest in the bus will be useful. We have Isaac on ICE as he has hurt the arch of his foot during last evenings game. Hey mum, dad, Taisha and Khayden =] Well….Sooo far im loving it in America, My first host family were soooo nice.(I gave them the cool bag things) lol. They owned a pizza place, so chances are im going to be coming back to New Zealand a tad bit over weight. =] This morning was the first time we had something normal to eat (cereal). Clothes are sooo cheap over here..Like really. The weather here aint that bad. Just in the mornings its like freezing as. Last night we played Stevenson high. They are like the best in their area.. so we were expecting a hiding we only lost by 8 in the end and we had 6 players they had a team of 12 so we were pretty happy with that. Their school was like Hogwarts I swear like it was flasher then any other school ive seen. I found Taisha a top yesterday.. So yes im not just thinking of myself over here =] Well I better get going now, im kinda hogging the laptop. Love you’s Tana Xxx P.s. Ash says to tell you that she is looking after me here. Haha Hey mum (Dara) its mean over here but disaster has struck and im not having the best of luck at all. My wallet has disappeared with all my money in it, so I’m down to my spare cash passport which sucks big time and I’m injured. Woke up this morning and couldn’t even walk. I have to go to the doctor to check out my left foot. The bridge really hurts and I think ill be missing out on a couple of games. The other foot playing up as well. Anyway we went to pebble beach and saw some of the biggest houses and the richest people in all of America. We had our first game against marina and we smashed them. Yesterday we played Stevenson and we lost 58-32. we of to Yosemite today and its supposed to be really cold Yeeeeesssssssssssssssssss. Talk to you later. Isaac __ Do you think we will enjoy this...hmmmm? Beats exams and studying - Lovely rooms!!!!__ __Goodwill Exhibition Basketball Doubleheader__ New Zealand Hoop Teams Start U.S. Tour in Marina On Monday evening local fans were treated to some outstanding basketball, thanks to a visit from SACRED HEART GIRLS COLLEGE and ST. JOHN’S BOYS COLLEGE, two excellent prep teams from New Zealand. Our Marina High Mariners hosted the two elite high school basketball clubs at Porter Youth Center, for four hours of hoops, friendly competition and cultural exchange, as the visitors began their three-week, 11-game tour of the western United States. The two sister schools from Hamilton, New Zealand, are the latest teams to participate in this outstanding annual event that has spanned some 20 years. Monterey County coaching legend Jim Rear helped to create the tradition in the “80’s”, while at Alisal High School in Salinas. During the past two decades, kids from the southwest Pacific have come to the West Coast U.S., while our local teams have also ventured “down under” to take a look at life and sports, halfway around the world. After landing in Los Angeles over the weekend, our guests proceeded to the Central Coast, making a mid-afternoon stop yesterday to tour the beautiful Mariner campus. A tasty “pregame spread” was served up by MHS parents Mrs. Miles and Mr. & Mrs. Rondez, as the teens from both countries met for the first time. A couple of hours later at PYC, the teams met on the floor before a large and appreciative crowd. Though bested by both visiting teams, our young Mariner basketball players competed well throughout the evening, as they went through their latest developmental test on the hardwood. In the Girls opener, Samantha Penko led the scoring for MHS with 6 points, on two 3-pointers. Michelle Drummer chipped in with a three of her own, while Jasmine Rondez ran the offense and scored a second quarter hoop. Our Boys continued to improve, with points from Trey Miles, and solid floor games from Cameron Rodda, Michael Villagrana, Armand Kincade and Julius Dawkins. Just as important, our young players enjoyed the entire experience with our new friends, who treated the crowd to not only some outstanding hoops, but also native songs and dances, direct from New Zealand. Principal Don Livermore was on hand to award both teams the official MHS gold coin, while Mr. John Martinez of our Marina WAL-MART dropped in between games, with a special gift of two autographed pro basketballs, to help our Guests commemorate their stop in Marina. While our Mariner Boys team will now take a break from competition until early 2008, our Girls have another short trip down Highway 101, for an assignment with Soledad High next Tuesday (12/11).
 * __Where are we staying:__**
 * http://www.yosemitepark.com/default.aspx____**
 * Many thanks to Coaches Teresa Cargo and Mel Young, as well as Team Manager Gareth Duncan, for bringing their fine group of student / athletes from New Zealand into Marina for this memorable visit. __YOU__ and all area Mariner fans will get to see how it all went down, in next week’s exciting episode of THE BLUE & GOLD REPORT on Marina Channel 25. Check the listings here to select the telecast of your choice . . . !**
 * Marina High will begin its Coastal Athletic League hoop schedule in mid-January. On the docket are eight exciting Girl-Boy home doubleheaders. It all starts with the January 15 contests with area rival Calvary Christian – much more news to follow . . .**
 * GO MARINERS !**

=__6th December: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/ __= Maple Tree Inn 711 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Phone: 1-800-423-0243 Fax: 408-738-5665 Today is the big drive back to San Jose and the weather has finally decided to pack it in on us, I guess the good thing is that we are travelling and it doesn’t matter so much. Beautiful views as we left the Yosemite National Park (see some of our photos online – under the title – Photos) Drove through Oakdale Township at 12.47pm where we had lunch and a stretch and stopped at Hershey`s Chocolate factory. We arrived at Maple Tree Inn at 3pm and got ourselves prepared for our games against Andrew Hill High School on one side of San Jose and the Boys join up with their first tournament game at 6pm (Wilcox Tournament) Isaac’s injury is coming right which is good for the team and gives us a healthier bench to call on. Mum’s and Dad’s can be assured that the kids are eating well, but are just needing a few reminders about the healthier balance – we are getting there as the excitement of been in America with the 100`s of food options is starting to calm. Game results and feedback: Boys - 78 - 30 Lost...a good old fashion lesson on how to play sport competitively and a really `won`t to WIN`. Girls 63 - 36 Winners Javiel: yesterday we had the longest, most ridiculous bus ride ever!!! Sure, hanging wit the boys and girls on the tour bus is all good but there is a time where it is too long!!! It was our first day without a game and it felt good to get away from the preparation of playing a game, and just chill though. We went to taco bell today (apparently it’s the McDonalds of America with popularity) but it wasn’t nice. You can ask anyone who went in there; it was extremely fatty with no decent taste. I didn’t even finish my feed, which isn’t usually like me to not finish a bought feed. Jordan: hey mum everything is fine its pretty cool here the food is horrible but the billets I stayed with were realy nice the brought me and cam a hat and I did say thank you we won our first game but lost the second but I did top score with issac for our team I hope serena’s alrite I miss you heaps.
 * __Day 5:__**

Day 6: The boys won tonight 49 - 46 in a really exciting game this win keeps us in the tournament playing off for 3rd or 4th. The boys went shopping today and all bought a pair of the same Nike boots - we got 15% of the $60 price tag. The girls lost 35 - 34 in the last few seconds. The girls have been playing fantastic basketball and really looked a little tired tonight. We are off to Alcatraz tomorrow at 8am - San Francisco here we come. Talk tomorrow sometime.

Day 7 and 8: Church at St Clairs



Sorry I`ve been absent for the last couple of days, been busy keeping up with the socialising and eating!! We have just come home from Mass at St Clairs Parish in Sunnyvale...beautiful Mass and we had a huge welcome at the start by the Phillipino Priest (lovely Man) The boys had to be up at 6am this morning to get ready for the Mass at 7.45am. After the service they had breakfast on for us in the Church Hall. The boys game last night was another successful lesson in how to play the game of basketball at this level, and taking nothing away from our boys the opposition again were very good!! Score 52 - 31...the girls are 1 hour away from us and they lost last night by 16 points. The order of today is to get the kids to Salinas (60 miles by bus to meet our new billets) so then they can get home and rest up. 9.30am now and I`m the Athletics directors computer while the boys are in the Gym with Wilcox High school having a srimmage...all the boys are split up and having a lovely old time. We meet the girls this morning at 11.30am and travel to Gilroy where today is classed as the BIG shop day...(parents watch the accounts clicking over - some boys need more money so please check your kids bebo sites and emails) That`s all for now.

Just another note for you parents. I would like to let you all know that the boys have started putting the team photos from the tour on a combined Bebo site...I`ll let you know the url asap. I think if we use this format it will be quicker and easier for all - I`m finding it takes toooooo long to upload photos to the wikispace and by the time I`ve got one or two photos adjusted my times up on the Hotel computer or it looks a little rude that I`m in the guest computer lounge all night when we are at our billets.

Thanks everyone for your patience. Gareth

Day 8: Our trip to Hearst Castle today started at 9.15am which was rather late given the length of the drive by Bus as we had to be at our destination at 11.15am (160 miles away) All the boys are back with their same billets as North Monterey High School as we have discovered that the Selina`s High School is a couple of blocks away from North Monterey High and the girls have new billets from the Selina`s High School – big game for the girls tonight against Selina`s High. We arrived back from Hearst Castle tonight around 6pm after picking up a few snacks at the Supermarket and straight around the corner to the Gym. Girls are playing tonight at 7pm so we are all here in force ready to support our girls. Part of the long trip toady gave kids a chance to recharge and rest themselves on the bus as for many of them the constant touring mode is starting to show tiredness. I guess the things you can never prepare for are the meeting new people and having to move your belongings everyday, talk and socialise when all you’d rather do is sleep – and for many of our kids not been able to sleep-in in the mornings is difficult for some. You would be happy to hear (partners at home) that your husbands are doing a great job and behaving beautifully. I would like to say to you Michelle…Tep has been trained well, he has done the boys washing, dried, folded and even wanted to iron my white shirt – a top man!!! Tomorrow 11th December we are heading to Vacaville where we are staying with the Buckingham Charter Magnet High School another big drive of 179 miles to be met by, the Mayor of the City, TV and the whole school with the focus been on promoting a good news story for the town (wow aye…another famous moment for the kids) wearing Number 1`s tomorrow and the boys can’t wait, you would think we never dress up?! [|www.bebo.com/mo-show] : Moehau’s bebo site [|www.bebo.com/usa-tour-2007] : tour band site created by Moehau. This site has all our photos on it – take a look. Moehau Hey every body, Its Moehau here, hello mum and happy b’day Te Ra for the other day. We are all having a ball, and a great time and we are all disappointed the trips only got a week and a half left! We love the hospitality and support of the people over here. The basketball is great as well. The food isn’t very nice though, it’s all full with fat, cheese and sugar and we all dislike artichoke! Apart from that we are having the time of our lives and will always remember this tour.

Love you mum and family and cant wait to c u all soon!

Hey, mum and guys this Isaac. Went shopping at the Gilroy outlets yesterday and found some cheap as gear that is really good. The stuff over here is awesome as and none of it is in NZ, YYYYYYYEEEEESSSSSSSSSS. Got some new colourful shoes that suit me completely, they better than the pink ones and the sure stand out a lot more. Thanks for topping up my account it really helped and relieved some stress of me and the rest of the adults. I will email you soon.

P.S what shoe size is alex?????????

See ya Isaac

The girl’s game tonight…The girls started strongly and always looked in control of the game. In particular was the fantastic shooting of Ashleigh, Samantha and Santana. The girls finished the first half: 27 – 17. The final score: 51 – 27

Day 9 - 11th December:

In the tradition of John Steinbeck, the National Steinbeck Center draws its inspiration from the diverse people and the land of the Salinas Valley. Through the exploration of Steinbeck's work and themes, we provide and support educational experiences that inspire audiences to learn about human nature, literature, history, agriculture, and the arts. Rooted in the earth and the people of the Salinas Valley, author John Steinbeck achieved worldwide recognition for his keen observations and powerful descriptions of the human condition. He championed the forgotten and disenfranchised while affirming the strength of the human spirit. His life was as rich and provocative as the Salinas Valley he immortalized in his writing. Steinbeck drew his inspiration from this land and became known throughout the world, receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. Seven themed theaters showcase //East of Eden, Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath// and much more. Enjoy ever changing art and cultural exhibits, the Museum Store and One Main Street Cafe. The museum's next addition will be the Valley of the World Agricultural History and Education Center. The National Steinbeck Center is located in historic Oldtown Salinas, a scenic 17-mile drive from Monterey, California on California's Central Coast.

After the tour our sponsor JimRear took the whole group to lunch at the Salenas Valley Brewery...beautiful feed and we celebrated Declan`s birthday by singing a very loud happy birthday tune which rocked the restaurant we were in.. The girls completed another fine performance last night beating the BCMHS Girls team 65 - 14 (Girls have won 4 from 7 games - brilliant. The Boys play tonight the 12th December @ 7.30pm USA time.

I have to go .....be back soon with more news. Gareth //**As a small, nurturing college preparatory school with high expectations, Buckingham Charter Magnet High School will graduate all students as critical and creative thinkers who are equipped to succeed and contribute positively in a changing world, by providing unique educational opportunities in active partnership with staff, students, family and community.**// Dear Staff Reminder(s) PD this week will be Christmas staff party at the Hampton’s from 1-4pm hosted by Taryn and Bob.
 * Here is a copy of the BHCMHS staff notice....Welcome To Buckingham Charter Magnet High School!**
 * Week of 12/10-12/14**

Congrats to Molly, our November red ticket winner! We will be doing a drawing at the staff party on 12/14 for December’s winner. All of you hoarding your tickets :-)… this would be a good time to drop them off to Vicki! New Zealand students will be arriving at host homes on 12/11, women’s varsity game at Vaca Pena that evening New Zealand students will be on campus all day on 12/12, 4:30 Luau in the gym for host families and basketball players, men’s varsity game at Vaca Pena that evening Finally, a big congratulations to one and all for BCMHS recently being selected as one of the nation’s top high school according to “US News and World Report!” Thanks, Ellen, Taryn and Bob

We have been spending the morning walking around the Campus of BHCMHS which is nestled amongst warehouse buildings (like Te Rapa straight or the Base as an example)...fasinating - seamless education at it`s best. The students have two hour periods and are project based. The main focus of their learning programme is around the Arts - producing Movies, audios, and sound tracks. We have been memorised by the absolute commitment to a focussed Inquiry learning programmes. Our kids are having a shared lunch in the Gym very soon...it is 11.50am here on Wednesday 12th December.

December 13th and 14th Today we spent time at Old Sacramento looking around the town that`s been kept in the same running order as the 1800`s - beautiful. HISTORY of the TOWN:

On August 13, 1839, John Sutter landed on the shore of the American River near its confluence with the Sacramento River. With the promise of a Mexican land grant, Sutter and his landing party established Sutter's Fort. As the settlement grew and became permanent, it attracted other businessmen looking for opportunities. Sam Brannan established a store near the Sacramento River hoping to take advantage of the convenient waterfront location. When gold was discovered in the nearby foothills by James Marshall, Brannan's settlement, called Sacramento, boomed. The embarcadero flourished and was the prime trading center for miners outfitting themselves for the gold fields. But the new city experienced flooding and fires. In 1850 the new city experienced its first devastating flood, and again in 1852, the city was wiped out by high water. It was apparent that drastic measures would have to be taken if it was to saved. In 1853 a mammoth project was proposed to raise the city above the flood. The ambitious and expensive proposal was not totally accepted until another devastating flood swept through the city in 1862. Within a few years, thousands of cubic yards of earth were brought in on wagons and the daring scheme to raise the street level can be seen throughout Old Sacramento under the boardwalks and in its basements.

Wow - what a time we have had over the last couple of days. We have spent time in classes that were making and producing Movies, singing classes, and a Chemistry class that was having a feast (so I over heard Isaac saying)

We picked up our Mini Vans at Dollar Rentals and we were extremely lucky we got there early because they did not have our reservation...Budget Rentals came to the rescue!!!! A special advert for Budget - GOOD people!

Basketball gets even more challenging...the boys lost last night 102 - 50 gaining a lesson in basketball skills. The opposition team was from the local area and it looked like they played basketball in their sleep they were sooooooooo talented - 15 - 16 year olds dunking the ball backwards, stunning to watch, but not good for the lads to try and pick themselves up from after really just losing the night before last: 52 - 37.

Girls are having a great run winning by 5. Let you know the score when I catch up with Teresa.

Happy birthday to Moehau today and Marqcus tomorrow. Talk soon Gareth:-)

The LA experience and the relaxing part of the trip has started.

End of the Tour 16th December: - We may not be as active on the wiki as we have been during the basketball part of the tour...sorrry! WE are in Disney mode.

See you all tomorrow, we will get the kids to text you all and give an arrival time to Cook Street. Gareth:-)

= = =Our accommodation at Howard Johnson Plaza Anaheim=

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/info/photos.htmhttp://www.hojoanaheim.com/info/photos.htm
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