By Mary Wickun, Stratfords of the World
Five Ambassadors from the Stratfords of the World Organization, have recently returned from a 25-day tour of New Zealand. It was a whirlwind trip of sightseeing, fellowship and adventure!
Starting in the North Island in Auckland, we enjoyed a tour of the Sky Tower, visited local wineries and an olive grove. We enjoyed so many views of the beautiful coastline in our daily travels. Next we traveled to Rotorua to tour scenic Hobbiton, and attended a Maori Cultural Experience. We walked through a geothermal valley, witnessed a glow worm cave and so much more.
Taranaki
We headed to the West Coast to Taranaki, to visit our Sister City of Stratford. We then enjoyed a week-long gathering with Ambassadors from Stratfords in Australia, England, Ontario and Prince Edward Island in Canada. Some of our highlights included a hike in Mt. Taranaki, as well as a visit to Pukerangiora Historic Reserve and a nature walk in Pukeiti. We visited museums, many local landmarks and enjoyed two backyard barbecues, along with a fabulous Medieval Dinner. The Festival of Lights and helicopter ride around Mt. Taranaki were two of the trip favorites.
After departing Stratford, we headed to the South Island to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, to Christ Church, Greymouth, Franz Joseph and Queensland. We were able to experience the beauty of the South Island by bus, cable car, ferries, steamship and train. It was a unique blend of scenery including the Southern Alps, the Fox Glacier, bright blue lakes and inlets, national parks, gorges and river valleys as well as the popular Milford Sound. We traveled past miles and miles of sheep, cow and even deer pastures.
The true highlight of our trip was the warmth we felt amongst New Zealanders. Our host families were wonderful people who treated us like family. We established life-long friendships and learned first-hand the culture and beauty of this magnificent island. As they say in their native language, “Kia ora” which translates to “have life”!
All of our travel excursions were meticulously planned by Jim and Cheryl Fillman of Spread Love by Design. Jim and Cheryl not only attended the trip with us, but provided excellent travel assistance and have since become wonderful friends.
Stratfords of the World reunions take place every two years. Our next will be Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada, from September 22 – 28, 2027.
Our local organization will be opening up to new membership in the near future as we begin preparations to host a reunion here in our Stratford in 2029. We’ll keep you posted!
