Split

They say if you run the golden toe your wish will come true. I wish....

A sphinx in the centre of Diocletian’s Palace. The palace was built in the 300’s for Diocletian’s retirement. The stone comes from the island Bracu.

The Market Sailing in to Split. There are 180,000 people living in Split. It is the second largest city in Croatia. We have one night here on the boat then we farewell our new friends.

Swimming and sailing into Hvar

The water was beautiful and crystal clear.

The fort above Hvar.

The view of Hvar from the fort. We had to tender from our boat, Diamond, but it came into port at about 8pm. "Tender" is when you go on a small boat into the shore.

Hvar’s Church.

Did you know that the fingerprint was pioneered by a man from Hvar in 1858.

Oh no is it a pirate ship?

Dear Te Whare Piwakawaka

Mrs Wu emailed Ms McDougall your comments...

Wow! It’s so cool! I wish I could go with Sammie G. 

I wish I could play with Sammie G there on the boat! 

I hope Sammie G is looking after Ms McDougall. I miss Ms McDougall and Sammie G. 

Dear Te Whare Piwakawaka,

Sammie G here. I’m so pleased you are reading my blog. If you ask Mrs Roughton or Mrs Cooper they have a small QR code that Mrs Wu could photocopy and put in your homework book like Te Whare Kiwi has. You could follow my great adventure in the holidays and comment on my blog.

One day when you are older and if you work hard and save some money you may be able to come in a boat like this. It’s a good holiday because I have only had to unpack my bag on Sunday and we will then pack it again this Saturday ready to go to a little village called Trogir.

I’m not sure who is looking after who. On the buggy ride Robbie looked after me and I cuddled her because she got scared. Ms McDougall checks her lists and tells us what we can do next or where we are going so that is good. But last night we had a surprise movie on the island of Vis where they filmed Mamma Mia 2, it was such fun and Ms McDougall was singing along.

I miss you too Te Whare Piwakawaka, enjoy your holiday

Love Sammie G

This is a special photo for you to do a See, Think, Wonder. It was taken on the island of Korcula when Ms McDougall went walking at 6am.

Oh Mamma Mia

Did you know that Mamma Mia 2 was filmed on the island of Vis.  So we went to the open air cinema for the screening, oh it was such fun. Robbie laughed and laughed!

This is a church across the bay. 86% of Croatians are Catholic.

And here is our Diamond all lit up so we don’t lose our way home.

Good night Te Whare Kiwi

Love Sammie G

Sailing to Vis

The sun is shining and it’s time for a spa on the way to Vis

Don’t worry I have my sunscreen on

Buggy riding

Oh my, what an adventure this was. Check me out.

We went driving off road through vineyards and olive trees. Robbie whispered to me that Ms McDougall was her father’s daughter - he used to drive jet boats a bit fast too. Wind in my horns was a nice feeling.

Answers to more questions...

The water was nice in the bay of Lombardo just before we docked at Korcula- Ms McDougall and Robbie swam for about 25mins behind the boat. But the current was strong at times so thankfully Robbie held on to a rope so we didn’t lose her. She is amazing for being 80years old. My legs are too long and although they are strong for standing they are not strong  for swimming.

The guard was on the outside of the walls of Dubrovnik so he was guarding the old city. Years and years ago the wall was built to protect it. In 1991 the wall also protected it when there was another war. We learnt all about the war and we were very sad about some of the horrific things that went on. I am so lucky to be in Te Whare Kiwi and Tatuanui School because "we caRe". Every day I see children helping one another and keeping the class and school well looked after. So to hear about how other people in other countries have been so mean to others it makes me very sad but very thankful. Tatuanui School is a great place to be.

The ropes on the bridge of Dubrovnik...

Boats can go under the bridge, it is very high so the ropes must be for something else. They are made of steel though. Did you see the box thing in the centre of the bridge near the ropes? I wonder what that is? Do you know?

Woah it did get rough!

Then we went in to Korcula and docked safely but then the storm came!

Tomorrow hopefully it will pass and we are going "buggy driving". Ms McDougall showed me a photo, in Africa people go on jeeps in safari, in Tatuanui people go in quad bikes on the farm but in Korcula they go in buggies.

Only three days left until you are in holiday, I wonder what adventures you will get up to?

Lots of love Sammie G

Answers to your questions...

Thank you for your messages, I miss you too!

I have just seen some of your questions...

Ms McDougall fills up a water bottle for me from the boat so I am being careful.

Yes we went inside the old walls of Dubrovnik 

The ice cream in Munich was lemon ice tea, very refreshing and yummy. Different to New Zealand ice cream - it’s more creamier, where as this was like a gelato - icier.

Love Sammie G

Swimming off the back of the boat

Unfortunately no biking at the island if Mljet as Captain Mario said if we docked there we would be stuck as a storm was coming.

So he took us for a swim in a bay off Korcula. 

Both Robbie and Ms McDougall dived off the back of the boat for a swim. But you know, giraffes can’t swim. I wonder why?

Then we went in to Korcula and docked safely but then the storm came!

Wow - here’s a "See / Think / Wonder" as we farewell Dubrovnik

Keeping guard

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is so old

Can you believe it Te Whare Kiwi, I am here. It’s very hot so I’m trying to find safe water to drink. Our boat is very nice and has three levels so it is high enough for me and we have been shown the life jackets so don’t worry. There is this amazing bridge that I can see in a distance but we will sail past it tomorrow so I will get Ms McDougall to take a photo.

This is the entrance to the old Dubrovnik town. It’s like going inside a castle with a moat.

Cuddles

This lady was at the gate as we boarded our plane from Munich which is the capital of Germany on our way to Dubrovnik. Her dress is the Bavarian (German) folk dress. I think she looked very pretty in it and she wanted to cuddle me.

Quick stop in Munich

Just enough time for ice cream in Munich.  Check out Google Maps to see how long now to Dubrovnik 

The plane, the plane

I can see our plane, can you spot it in the background.

Ka kite ano Aotearoa!

First stop Dubrovnik, Croatia

Wow Robbie (Ms McDougall’s Mum) and Ms McDougall have the bag all packed. They have just shown me our itinerary and here are the islands in Croatia we will be visiting. I wonder what food they will have for me, will the water be warm to swim, what are you wondering?

Farewell Te Whare Kiwi

Dear Te Whare Kiwi

I will pack my bag carefully tonight but I will see you tomorrow morning for my last day before my GREAT adventure

Hayley’s "because" statement...

Hayley thought I would rather stay because she will miss me.
But Hayley it will be ok because I can write to you.

Madeleine’s “because” statement

Maddy shared her "because" statement. She would rather I go on a great adventure because I will fit in the boat, it will be big enough.

Yah, I’m so excited

Oh my goodness, I spotted Ms McDougall sharing with Te Whare Kiwi that she was going on a great adventure. I think she said she was going to a place called Croatia. I wondered if I could go too. Clay said “He wanted to go with Ms McDougall” and I replied “Ditto”.
On Friday Te Whare Kiwi did a “Would you rather...”, “Would you rather Sammie G go on a great adventure OR would you rather he stayed home”.
I listened to all the children’s “because” statements. I will miss Te Whare Kiwi, so I thought I would start this blog so they won’t miss or forget me. Yes they decided I could go, I’m so excited, and yes giraffes can go on boats, just watch me.