Bonjour à tous!

So I’m back in New Zealand after an unforgettable trip to France! I had the time of my life with the other Young Ambassadors, creating lifelong memories and friendships in France and Belgium.
Here are some highlights from the trip.

5 jours à Paris :
On the 14th of July, we were lucky enough to be accepted as official guests to watch the Bastille Day Military Parade on the Champs Elysées. It was awesome to be part of such a wonderful event. Later that night we watched the Bastille Day fireworks display from a bridge on the Seine.

In between our official visits in Paris we had some time for sightseeing. We visited the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Sacré Cœur, Louvre and more..

6 jours à Arras :
Our time in Arras was definitely a highlight of the trip. Huia and I had an amazing host family who went out of their way to make sure we had a memorable French experience. We even got to try some French delicacies like cheeses, wines, snails and frogs legs!

In Arras I was able to track down the memorial where my great-great-grandfather Walter Cave is commemorated. As I was the first member of my family to stand next to his name, holding his two war medals, this was definitely a special moment that I will never forget.

During our trip we visited many battlefields, memorials and cemeteries. It was a moving experience to visit these places, though incredibly sad to think that so many people lost their lives.

1 jour en Belgique :
Near the end of our trip we spent one night in Belgium. During the day we explored the town of Ypres and went to the In Flanders Field Museum. We also went to the Menin Gate Memorial, where the traffic is stopped every night at 8pm for the Last Post Ceremony. It was a privilege to be part of something that has been going on for so many years.

After an amazing two weeks in France it was hard to leave, however we’ve all left with memories and friendships we will never forget.