Last week our group split into two groups and embarked on separate CVA (Conservation Volunteers of Australia) journeys. My group, which consisted of Nick, Riley, Liv, Trace, Allie, Brett and our new team leader whose name was also Brett, camped and worked at the beautiful Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park for the week.
Our campsite was a short walk from the beach which was made up of warm… Read More
Our journey into the outback began when we got picked up in this massive off-road looking bus. We set off into the outback riding on normal asphalt roads as well as driving on rocky dirt roads. It was pretty hard to take a nap because we were being bounced around inside the truck. The very first place we stopped, we were at a watering hole so we could go for… Read More
We’ve arrived in Sydney, Australia safe ‘n sound! This city is absolutely incredible as we got to explore it all day on our scavengar hunt. We visited the Memorial museum in Hyde Park and the Opera House, learning about the history each one and roamed around the Royal Botanical Gardens where the trees and plants are so strange and beautiful it’s as if they came straight out of a Dr.… Read More
In Fiji there is a saying called “Fiji time.” Roughly translated by many tourists and foreigners, it means unpredictable bus schedules and slow customer service; but to the people of Fiji, it means slowing down to savor the fleeting moments of life and caring more deeply about smiles, conversation, and compassion than finely-tuned time tables. As we depart the country we called home for a month and look back, it… Read More
Maddy and Nick here, reporting from the lively city of Labasa on the smaller, Northern Island of Fiji! Our 24 hour travel day started yesterday morning when we said our final goodbyes to Togovere, and it has been hectic but fun as always. After a 3 hour bus ride from Rekireki to Korovou, we found ourselves sitting roadside on our packs for a good part of the day waiting for… Read More
k
Bula!
Our final night spent in Togovere village was full of colorful matching bula shirts and dresses, flower garlands, a feast of 18 different dishes, and late night kava drinking with breaks for singing and dancing. We all felt so much love and gratitude extended to us from every member of the village and we certainly gave them our appreciation in return. The next morning after our last… Read More
Bula friends and family!
Diana and Inga here with news from the past week in Tongovere Village. This past week has been full of long and hot but rewarding work days, crazy smiling children following us around, a plethora of delicious papayas, coconuts, bananas, and mangos from trees around the village, and so many welcoming families. We are both rooming together in a big, loving family’s home for this… Read More
The group is thriving in their village in Fiji! Just wanted to share a quick photo in front of the community center with the whole group. More photos to come soon!… Read More
I heard from the group right before they left for their village homestays and volunteer project yesterday! Their first few days in Fiji were a great start as they delved into the culture, had some time to get to know the city of Nadi during a scavenger hunt, and enjoyed time on the beach. Here are a few photos from their time in NZ.… Read More
Dear Friends and Family back home,
The Carpe Diem Walkabout group has successfully landed in Fiji. We spent the last night in Auckland going out to a nice dinner as a celebration for our final hours in New Zealand. New Zealand will be forever in are humble hearts along with the UNFORGETTABLE memories that we made there. It seems like just yesterday we were all in LAX just meeting each… Read More
Our month in NZ has finally come to an end. We had more incredible moments than this blog could handle, but here are some of our favorites;
1. The breathtaking views of NZ as we made our final decent into Wellington after a long day of travel.
2. Arriving at our hostel in Plimmerton on a nice quiet beach after a long 20 hour day of flying and chaotically running… Read More
Our third week began by travelling from Anne’s farm to a nearby Maori community center, called the Kotare Trust where we have been living for the week. We were greeted warmly and openly by the generous hearts of the Maori family who help run the Trust. After enjoying a few songs and a traditional dance we were welcomed into a room with an expansive and delicious lunch spread. As we… Read More
We apologize for our delay of this blog post, due to lack of internet access.
We arrived to a farm just outside of the small town of Warkworth, where we were greeted by Anne and members of the Verdonk family. We were also kindly welcomed by a small Maori family living on the farm. As we settled in to our new home for the next week we were all… Read More
Walkabout crew is back and ready to attack! This past week was spent at the Blue Mountain Adventure Center where our days were jam packed with epic-ness. We started off by meeting Reggie the friendly pet goat. Then we jumped head first into a week of mountain biking, repelling, hiking, caving and river rafting. Some of us even formed a fellowship and attempted to summit Mount Doom! All in… Read More
Hello all friends and family!
Inga and Allie here from the FANZ Walkabout Crew. Today marks our last night in Plimmerton as well as our orientation. We’ve had an amazing past couple of days getting to know eachother, checking out local sights and setting our intentions for the next 3 months. The weather has been pretty rainy but has not dampened our spirits! In this short amount of time we… Read More
Hello all friends and family! Today marks our last night in Plimmerton as well as our orientation. We’ve had an amazing past couple days getting to know each other, checking out local sights, and setting our intentions for the next three months.
The weather has been pretty cloudy and rainy here but it has in no way dampened our spirits. Our group has grown from strangers to family in a… Read More
Greetings from New Zealand or perhaps we should say kia ora,
The Walkabout group has arrived safely after our 15+ hours of travel. We spent our first day getting to know each other while exploring the outskirts of Wellington. The group is getting along great; it looks like we are going to have an amazing time together. We ended the day with a completely student led dinner and already our… Read More
Good evening family and friends!
The Walkabout crew has all rendezvoused in LAX and are clearly feeling calm and ready as they prep to depart for the upcoming adventure.
Amidst a lot of smiles, handshakes, and hugs, these precocious young travelers are eagerly anticipating the journey ahead! Stay tuned to the blog as we will update it when they arrive safely in Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud,… Read More
Greetings team Walkabout!
Brett and Nina here reporting from our Portland scavenger hunt as we simultaneously have some fun and also prepare for our adventure together. This afternoon we took some time to soak in a few of the local sights here in Portland. Our first stop was McMenamins Kennedy school for a relaxing dip in the soaking pool. Formerly an elementary school, you can now book a night… Read More
