Planes, trains and automobiles - Day 19

It’s the last day in your country and it’s the final chance to head out and see places or people that you have yet to visit. It’s also your last day to sample the local food and enjoy the atmosphere. You decide that you will head out of the city and explore some of the smaller, neighbouring towns. In order to leave the city, you will need to find a vehicle. It could be a bus, a train, a taxi, a bicycle, a scooter...

Activity 1

Let’s imagine that the neighbouring town was about 30 kilometres away. There are a number of beautiful villages and interesting things to see along the way. You have four options for this trip. You can take a:

1. Train – 25 minute ride; No stops along the way; $12 for the trip (return)
2. Bus – 45 minute ride; Two stops along the way to look at interesting villages; $8 for the trip (return)
3. Scooter – 1 hour ride; Unlimited number of stops; $5 for the trip (return)
4. Bicycle – 2 hour ride; Unlimited number of stops but there are some hills along the way; $1 (return)

On your blog, tell us which of these four options you would choose and why!

Answer:

Out of these 4 options I would have to pick Bus, because I get to see 2 interesting villages and it's not that expensive.

Activity 2

These days there are, literally, dozens of different kinds of vehicles that we can use. Some of them are quite familiar (eg. car, truck, bus) but some are very unique and different. Watch this Youtube clip of the most Amazing vehicles ever made.

When you have finished tell us which of the vehicles you liked the most. On your blog tell us the name of the vehicle and the reasons why you liked it so much. There are a number of pretty interesting options!

Answer:

My favourite vehicle from that video has to be The Hover Board. The reason why I like this vehicle so much is because it can hover above the ground! Ever since I watched Back to the Future, I have always wanted a Hover Board. It's almost like flying, except safer. 

Bonus Activity

The Canadian government has decided to build the longest walking trail in the world. It is called the ‘Great Trail’ and it covers 15 000 miles. Wow! For this activity, we are drawing inspiration from this walking trail and thinking about our own footprints.

Your task is to use DrawIsland tool to create your own digital footprint. The footprint must include your name and the name of the country that you are visiting. Otherwise, you can decorate it in any way that you want. It’s totally up to you! Once you have drawn your footprint, save it, and then upload it to your blog. Here is an example of my footprint:

My Footprint -

Famous/Infamous animals - Day 18

It’s time to go to the zoo! You have been invited to tour the national zoo with some students from one of the local schools. Although you don’t really know anyone you decide to be brave and give it a go! When you arrive at the front gates, you walk into the zoo and you immediately see…

Activity 1

Imagine that you have just entered the zoo. On your blog, tell us what you think you might see on your visit. You can start with this sentence:

I had just entered the zoo when, all of a sudden, I saw…

Aim for a blog post of 8 - 10 sentences in length. You can do it!

Answer:

I had just entered the zoo when, all of a sudden, I saw. . . a herd of stampeding elephants! They had escaped the zoo "Oh No!" cried the zoo keeper, "I forgot to lock their gate again!" she whined as she walked back to her office shaking her head. "Help! Help! Somebody please help me!" screamed a voice in the distance. I ran to the location where the woman was screaming. She was stuck inside her car that was squashed by one of the elephants. "Please, please get me out of this mess," the lady sobbed as she tried to climb out of the smashed window. I pulled her out of the car and back to safety. I advised her not to try and drive pass a herd of elephants again. She laughed and said "Thank you so much," I smiled and said "No problem."

Activity 2

When you are at the zoo, you have the chance to learn about some animals that are specifically found in your country. They are called ‘indigenous’ animals. This means that they are originally from your country. Use Google to identify two indigenous animals from your country. On your blog, post a picture of the animals and tell us a bit about them. What are they called? Where do they live? What do they eat?

Answer:

 Kiwi

Kiwis live mainly in native forests and scrub and rough farmlands. Kiwis usually eats small things such as seeds, grubs and many varieties of worms.

Tuatara 

Tuataras live in burrows and are more active at night. Tuataras are carnivorous so they eat lizards, frogs, small tuatara and the chicks of seabirds. 

Bonus Activity

Sadly, there are a number of animals in the world that are struggling to survive because they cannot find enough food to eat or a safe place to live. Many of these animals are dying and, in some cases, there are very few of them left. They are called ‘endangered animals.’ In New Zealand we have many endangered species, including the kakapo, a shiny green bird that likes to make its nest on the ground. Unfortunately, the nest is really easy to get to and other animals can easily steal the kakapo’s eggs. As a result, very few new kakapo are born. There are 55 kakapos in New Zealand right now.

The New Zealand government is trying to save the kakapo. They are looking for creative ideas. What do you think they could do? On your blog, tell us what you think should be done to save the kakapo. Please be as creative as you can!

Answer:

Well, one of my ideas are you can take The Kakapo in. As in look after it yourself. Their have warm shelter and their eggs won't be stolen. Maybe you could build a Kakapo Sanctuary where you breed the birds so they don't become endangered anymore. 

Famous Sights - Day 17

Before you leave to head home, you will want to dedicate a few days to sightseeing in your country. There are dozens of beautiful buildings and gorgeous natural wonders. Scroll down to see pictures of three of the most famous landmarks in each country.

Canada

CN Tower – Tallest building in Canada

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CN_Tower

Niagara Falls – Largest waterfall in the world

Canadian Rocky Mountains – Largest mountains in Canada

           http://bestwesternalberta.com/attractions/lake-louise

Chile

Torres del Paine National Park – One of the largest and most beautiful national park in Chile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torres_del_Paine_National_Park

San Cristobal Hill – Second highest hill in northern Santiago  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Crist%C3%B3bal_Hill

Lauca National Park – Beautiful national park in the far north of Chile

http://www.mountainphotographer.com/lauca-national-park/

Germany

Brandenburg Gate – Beautiful arch in downtown Berlin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Gate

Neuschwanstein Castle – One of the oldest castles in Germany

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle

Berlin Wall – The most famous symbol of the Cold War in Germany. It used to separate the east side from the west side of Germany.

https://kuruc.info/r/4/160532/

Malaysia

Petronas Towers – Tallest buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petronas_Towers

Batu Caves – Famous Hindu temple and shrine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves

Gunung Mulu National Park – A large national park in Sarawak, Malaysia, with lots of caves and beautiful rainforests

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunung_Mulu_National_Park

United Kingdom

Big Ben – Largest clock tower in England

http://www.aboutbritain.com/BigBen.htm

Stonehenge – An ancient circle of stones

http://www.oxfordscientificfilms.tv/portfolio-item/secrets-of-the-stonehenge-skeletons/

Buckingham Palace – Home of the royal family in London

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/event/27250576-buckingham-palace-tour-summer-opening-2016#5xKQigfsWIOQi2yB.97

Mexico

El Castillo, Chichen Itza – Mayan temple

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Castillo,_Chichen_Itza

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral – Largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas

http://www.mendaily.com/top-sights-of-mexico-city/

Gruta de las Canicas – Cave with 2.0 million pearls on the cave floor

https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/la-gruta-de-las-canicas-al-sur-de-tabasco.html

South Africa

Kruger National Park – Home to dozens of African animals

http://www.gateway-africa.com/kruger-national-park.htm

Table Mountain

https://dumirocks.wordpress.com/tag/table-mountain/

Apartheid Museum – Museum honouring important events in the history of South Africa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid_Museum

United Arab Emirates

Burj Khalifa – The tallest building in the world

http://creativedig.com/burj-of-khalifa-a-skyscraper-in-dubai

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Huge, contemporary mosque

http://luxeadventuretraveler.com/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque/

The desert

http://www.abudhabidesertsafarionline.com/

Japan

Jigokudani Monkey Park – Famous hot spring with live monkeys

https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/294845106824206181/

Himeji Castle – Best existing example of Japanese castle architecture

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3501.html

Mt Fuji – Highest mountain in Japan

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/mt-fuji-earthquake-caused-volcanic-eruption

Australia

Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Huge red rock formation in the middle of the desert

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/

Sydney Opera House – Most of the most iconic buildings in the world

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/06/7e/de/b0/caption.jpg

Great Barrier Reef – One of the largest ecosystems in the world

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/australias-great-barrier-reef-will-disappear-within-two-decades-with-no-intervention-2014-3?r=US&IR=T

Activity 1

On your blog tell us which of the icons you would most like to visit in your chosen country. Be sure to tell us why you have chosen it!

Answer:

I have chosen Torres del Paine National Park from Chile. I chose this icon because the moustain is just stunning. It kind of reminds me of Mount Fuji.

Activity 2

Let’s imagine that you have been asked to host a visitor from another country. They are going to come and stay with you for three days. During that time, you are expected to take them on a tour of New Zealand and show them some our most famous icons. Where would you take them? If it was me, I might take them to Mt Cook in the south island, to the Sky Tower in Auckland and to Chums Beach in the Coromandel. What about you? On your blog, tell us which three famous places in New Zealand you would go with your visitor.

Answer:

The first place I would take my visitor to is Rotarua. To relax in the hot springs.

The second place I would take my visitor is The Sky Tower. I might even take him/her to Fortuna.

The last place I would take them is Mission Bay at night and treat them to some delicious Ice Cream. Yummy!

Bonus Activity

Take a picture of yourself standing beside a popular place in your community. It can be anywhere that’s pretty popular in your area (e.g. a store, a restaurant, a marae, etc). On your blog please tell us about the landmark. What is the name of it? Where is it? Who goes to it?