BISHOP BAVIN CULTURAL TOUR ~ AUGUST 2007
4 August 2007 Great excitement!
There was great excitement as everyone gathered at O R Tambo airport and the check in procedure went very smoothly. Mrs Denise Buxbaum, Mrs SueAnn Radebe and Mrs Cathy Davids are all well seasoned chaperones and parents can rest assured that their children are in excellent hands. A wonderful tour awaits them ---
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 August 2007 Bienvenue en France!
Bonjour from France! I received an sms from Mrs Buxbaum to say that the flight was pleasant and that they had arrived safely in Paris at Roissy Charles de Gaulle. She said that all were in high spirits and everyone was looking forward to the fun and the sunshine on the Cote d'Azur!Upon arrival, members of the Centre International d'Antibes were there to greet them with their customary warmth. Once they had unpacked, they decided to go for a walk into Antibes and they enjoyed exploring 'la vieille ville' before continuing on to the beach. There was much noise at dinner as everyone excitedly introduced themselves to youngsters from all over the world - they are all so very happy!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 August 2007 Fun on the Campus!
I received an email from Mrs Buxbaum and I am delighted to hear that everyone is having such fun! She writes: "What a lovely day we've had. It started with a meeting with the 'animateurs', followed by the 'dreaded' test, which was actually fine! Everyone then played games and socialised on campus until lunchtime, after which we travelled by train to Cannes, where all loved posing on steps of the Palais des Festivals - celebraties in the making! They then had free time to shop and came back to the campus with loads of packets, having thoroughly enjoyed the outing. After dinner a game between the boys and girls was arranged in the auditorium - as you can imagine this was a LOT of fun - the singing and laughing could be heard for miles!" Please note that Mrs Buxbaum is using a French sim card and her former South African number should be disregarded. Her number is now 00 33 6 26 85 49 23. One word of caution - 083 cell numbers are NOT compatible with this sim card and she will not receive the message. The number of the Campus administration is 00 33 4 93 61 56 09 or 00 33 4 92 90 71 70 in case of emergency only.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 August 2007 Lessons can be fun!
Today was their first day of formal tuition - everybody was very happy in their designated class and all loved their teachers! Who would believe that children would be happy to go to school during their holidays -- the campus certainly has a magic recipe! After another wonderful lunch, with so much choice, they boarded the coach and went on an excursion to St Paul de Vence.They enjoyed wandering through the narrow streets and the view of the surrounding countryside was magnificent. Several even learnt how to play petanque with our animateur Karim and they really enjoyed that! On the way home the coach driver confessed that he'd never heard such an animated group as everyone sang in full throat! In the evening there was a barbeque with an enormous amount of food! Everyone dressed in black and red for the campus disco, which was an enormous success! The chaperones send much love to all back home!
Writt en by: Jenny Peddle
8 August 2007 A relaxing day
Just a quick update from the teachers for today... "all enjoyed class once more and after lunch we went by coach into Antibes. The children were initially disappointed to hear that sailing on the Med was cancelled, owing to excessively strong winds, but all thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing afternoon, wandering around one of the most beautiful towns on the Cote d'Azur. In the evening there was an organized outing to Juan les Pins with other international students".
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 August 2007 Outing to St Raphael
After class today the group travelled by train to the seaside resort of St Raphael. The scenery en route is indescribably beautiful and it's obvious to see why it's called the Cote d'Azur. They had a lovely relaxing afternoon and many swam in the warm waters, whilst others strolled along the beachfront with icecreams. One of the highlights before departure was the discovery of a MacDonalds!In the evening a caberet show was organized on the Campus and many of our girls danced - to the delight of an audience who applauded enthusiastically!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 August 2007 Final day at Campus Horticole
Time really flies and it's difficult to believe that they have been away for almost a week. Everyone has loved the school and learnt a great deal about cultural diversity – something you cannot teach in a classroom and one of the many benefits of overseas travel. It was once again too windy to go sailing, so they spent the afternoon at AquaSplash, which is a wonderful waterworld with hair-raising rides! It is Lineo Khotle's birthday today and everyone sang vigorously to her at dinner - I'm sure she'll never forget her 17th birthday! They are off to Nice by coach tonight and what a perfect way to end a stay in this idyllic part of the world. Hopefully all have packed before they leave on the excursion, since they depart tomorrow morning bright and early!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 August 2007 Onward to Italy
They left the campus bright and early this morning and although sad to say goodbye to the many friends they have made over the past week, everyone was excited to commence the next stage of the journey. As soon as they boarded the luxury coach, most of the children fell asleep, but the chaperones tried hard to keep them awake to enjoy the spectacular scenery en route to Italy as they passed through Villefranche, Beaulieu- sur-Mer and Menton. Around lunchtime they arrived at the railway station in La Spezia, where they met their local guide, who accompanied them on their afternoon excursion around CinqueTerra. They will be spending their first night in Italy at Hotel Terme Pellegrini and the contact details are: Tel: 00 39 057 291 00 46 or Fax: 00 39 057 270 257. Please note that I will be travelling to France tonight with a group of students, so will be unable to update the website until tomorrow afternoon or perhaps even Monday morning. Please rest assured that your children are in safe hands and that all arrangements are firmly in place. Once in France, I may be contacted on my regular email or on my French cell number which is 00 33 6 34 57 80 35. In an emergency, please phone my husband Clive on 082 454 9746.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 August 2007 Pisa to Florence
I have just arrived in France after a journey of 30 hours! Denise Buxbaum's daughter is the designated chaperone for this independent tour and I am confident that she has learnt from the best! Lara received a phone call from her mum to say that the Bishop Bavin group had absolutely loved Pisa and countless pictures had been taken of her pupils propping up this mighty tower! In high spirits, they then continued on to Florence and all were so excited to be in such a beautiful city. However, can you believe that the search for leather shoes and hand bags actually took second place to the quest for a MacDonalds - amazing!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 August 2007 Florence is wonderful!
I have just received this lovely email from Mrs Buxbaum: "Florence is wonderful! We had a fantastic orientation tour this morning, even though it was raining...we simply joined all the other thousands of tourists and used umbrellas + rain jackets! The guide was very interesting and the children asked lots of questions. We started off in a renaissance palace, which was very impressive and then we went to the Duomo, where we had a visit inside the Church, which was very beautiful. After our lunch of pizzas, the weather cleared up and we walked to flea markets and then back to our hotel across the PonteVecchio. Everyone had aching feet by that time, so we all decided to relax in our lovely hotel before dinner. Please note that until further notice, I am now reverting to my South African roaming number which is + 27 82 573 3302 . Should you wish to contact me, please remember that this number is ONLY for sms's. Everyone is having such fun!"
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 August 2007 Italy to Switzerland
I have just received an sms from Mrs Buxbaum to say that they had a wonderfully relaxing drive through beautiful Italian and Swiss countryside today. They were very impressed with their hotel in Lucerne and were looking forward to a delicious dinner and a walk before falling into bed!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 August 2007 Lucerne is wonderful!
Mrs Buxbaum has written to say that they had the most wonderful day in the beautiful town of Lucerne and that the guided walk was so very interesting. They found the visit to the Glacier Garden absolutely fascinating and they learnt a great deal about the Ice Age. In the early evening they walked down to the lake and thoroughly enjoyed the one hour cruise, where they remarked on the Swiss houses dotted all over the green mountains. They then returned to their spotlessly clean and comfortable hotel for dinner, which was apparently delicious!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 August 2007 The highlight of the tour!
What a wonderful day they had today! A coach collected the group from their hotel at 9.00am and they were taken to Engelberg, from where they took the cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Titlis. It was apparently indescribably beautiful, with a splendid 360 degree view of the Alps. They returned to Lucerne in the early evening and got dressed for their special Swiss dinner at the Musik-Folklore restaurant. During their delicious meal, the Bishop Bavin group entertained the WHOLE restaurant as they blew the Alpine horn, yodelled and danced! The atmosphere in the restaurant was magical and all the clients + management thanked the group for their enthusiasm and spirit. On the way back to the hotel they sang a medley of chapel songs in the Square in the old town and passers-by actually stopped to listen and then clapped! The chaperones were so proud of them and all went home so happy - this will be such a wonderful memory for everyone!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 August 2007 Onward to Strasbourg
Everyone was really sad to say goodbye to Switzerland and to their lovely hotel! A long coach ride is always so relaxing and gives everyone a chance to catch up on some sleep. Upon arrival in Strasbourg, they booked into their hotel and then enjoyed explorig their new environment during the afternoon. In the evening they went to a traditional restaurant called The Creperie la Korrygane in the Place Marche Gayot before marvelling at the stunning light festival on the banks of the river.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 August 2007 A wonderful day in Strasbourg
They met their local guide at 9.00am and thoroughly enjoyed the orientation tour of Strasbourg. She was very interesting and was able to answer in depth all the questions which the group asked. Petite France was really spectacular and the children were fascinated by the houses with their wooden facades. They then boarded their coach and set off for Riquewihr, which is the only town in the region not to have been destroyed by the two world wars. They concluded the afternoon with a visit to the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, which everyone loved. With not much time to freshen up, they made their way to a local restaurant to enjoy a three course meal, before their cruise on the River Ill at 8.30pm.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 August 2007 Onward to Paris
The group left the hotel in Strasbourg early this morning and commenced the 7 hour journey to Paris. This marks the final leg of their tour and they have all had such a wonderful time. They will be staying at the Hotel Palym for the next four nights and the telephone number is 00 33 1 43 43 24 48. If you would prefer to send a fax to your children, the number is 00 33 143 41 69 47. I have stayed at this hotel on several occasions and can vouch for its cleanliness and level of service. It is centrally situated near the Gare de Lyon, so perfect for all their visits!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 August 2007 Great fun in Paris!
I received an sms from Mrs Buxbaum to say that they had had such a wonderful day in Paris today. They started with a walk along the famous Champs Elysees, from la Place de la Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe. Judging by the packets, they all loved shopping in the many name brand boutiques en route! They then took the metro to Montmartre, where they entertained the crowds with their dancing on the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur. They were so popular that had they charged the audience to view their talents, much of their tour costs could have been offset! They have become so adept at using the metro and in the early evening they competently made their way to the Eiffel Tower and to their cruise on the River Seine. They all had such a lovely day and they finally fell into bed quite exhausted!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 August 2007 Another wonderful day in Paris!
They started today with a visit to the Musee d'Orsay and their guide was so interesting. She explained the art in such a simple way that it was easy to understand and all the students were fascinated by the beautiful masterpieces.They then took the bus to Les Invalides, where they got free tickets to see Napolean's Tomb!After a picnic of goodies bought in a supermarket, they made their way right to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The view was magnificent and this was a real highlight. In the evening they ate dinner in a lovely Italian restaurant in the Latin Quarter, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful day!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 August 2007 Day excursion to Belgium
What a wonderful day they had in Belgium! The group left by train for Brugges very early in the morning and thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the quaint streets lined with 16th century buildings. After their canal cruise, they had lunch in the market square, where all shopped for souvenirs. They then walked to Rose's Chocolate World, where there was a demonstration on chocolate making. You can only imagine all the purchases that were made!After a light dinner, all returned to Paris in high spirits, having had the most wonderful excursion.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
23 August 2007 Homeward bound!
It's hard to believe that the tour is over and what a wonderful success it has been! The three chaperones have been exemplary and have ensured the safety and well-being of all your beloved children. As parents you have afforded your sons and daughters the most wonderful opportunity and the memories made on tour will last a lifetime. Flight AF990 departs Paris CDG at 23h15 tonight and I am sure there is no need to remind you that it arrives at OR Tambo tomorrow, Friday 24 August at 09h40. It remains for me to say a sincere thank you to Mrs Denise Buxbaum for choosing to travel with Personal Touch Schooltours on her third consecutive tour and I look forward to 2008!
Written by: Jenny Peddle