Wondering how Julian and Miss E (yep, the Vac has a name now) are doing with their hitch hiking adventure across New Zealand?

Here is Julian's diary and some pics! If you want to know more about Julians journey then please write to us at electrolux@vacfromthesea.com

Day 2
After a radio announcement to help the Vac and myself get a ride, we hitched a ride to Rhode Street School to award them with their $500 cheque and UltraOne Green in recognition of their work in the area of environmental sustainability. My word, what an unbelievable school this is, where they grow their own food, construct their own structures and even have their own radio station, seriously impressive stuff. From here we hit the road and hitched to Cambridge, then to the blue waters of Taupo, then after some more help from our radio partner, hitched a ride through the roads to the art deco capitol of Napier. Another successful day of travel with four friendly drivers, its' time to relax for a few hours before another day of hitching south.

 

 

Day 3

A short hop from the art deco capital of Napier to Havelock North first thing in the morning got the NZ Vac from the Sea and myself to Iona Collage thanks to the help of More FM. There we showcased the Vac from the Sea to a group of school girls and discussed recycling initiatives, before presenting them with their winning cheque and UltraOne Green for the fantastic work they are doing in the area of environmental responsibility. Always great to see school kids thinking of how they can contribute to a cleaner, green future. That afternoon we swung by a handful of local retailers who are really excelling with their sales of the Electrolux Green range, specifically Havelock North Harvey Norman. In this very Green land, there’s some brilliant activity to support a cleaner tomorrow.

 

Day 4

Thursday began with a real race against the clock, to get from Hastings to Palmerston North by 11 am for our presentation to Ross Intermediate school.Things were looking tough when the Vac and I began hitching at 7.30 am, with little traffic around. Thankfully a passing sales rep who had hear about the tour pick us up, 90 minutes later we were at the Ross Intermediate school, where the Vac from the Sea presentation was held to over 400 students, and the UltraOne and $500 prize presented to the school for their winning entry on how they recycle. After a quick visit to Harvey Norman in Palmerston North, radio did a live cross announcing that I was in need of a ride to the final destination for the day, Wellington. After about 20 minutes a passerby spotted the Vac on my back and we were off to windy Wellington.

 

 

Day 5
Kicking off in the heartof Wellington, Miss E (NZ Vac from the Sea) and I made our way to Te Aro School, trying to hitch a ride but without success, fortunately it was a 30minute walk from the starting point. All the students at Te Aro attended our presentation, greeting us with a Maori welcoming song and taking a very active part in a fun filled half hour discussion on recycling. From here it was a rough ride across the Cook Straight, where Miss E and myself were lucky enough to visit the ships bridge, where the ship’s Captain explained how he had recently sailed across the pacific, and was shocked by the amount of junk floating in the ocean. Needless to say he was very enthusiastic for our cause.

(All photos Erica Ahnfeldt)