Sophomore Liliana Garcia and Senior Lily Comstive, shared the following recaps regarding the ETBU Women's Soccer TAME trip to New Zealand.
 
"This morning the whole team woke up early to eat breakfast and get on the road as we had a long day ahead. Some of the team went to the Hamilton Gardens and Hobbiton, and the rest of us went to the country side of New Zealand to go on a bike ride tour. I was part of the group who went on the bike tour. We biked 16 kilometers (10 miles) to the half way point where we stopped for some coffee and sandwiches. The view on the way there is beyond what a camera can capture. We stopped to talk and take pictures with fluffy cows and horses. I took a second to just take in God's creation. The bike tour is something I did not know I needed, as it gave me peace and quiet time to talk to God while witnessing all that He has made," Garcia said. 
 
Comstive added, "We started off the day exploring Hamilton Gardens and getting to walk through all the different themes. My favorite was the ancient Egyptian garden, where archaeologists and gardeners worked to build the first recreation of a historically accurate Egyptian garden. It was beautiful to see, and a really interesting introduction into specified histories, like the history of gardening. Starting off the morning with plants, flowers, and cats was nearly perfect.
 
Next we visited the Hobbiton movie set, where the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies were filmed. To step into a fantasy world was something I'll never forget. The set was beautiful, with details added to each hobbit hole to designate who lived there. For example, outside the apothecary's hole, medicinal plants and herbs were planted.  I've been inspired to finally read the books I've never gotten around to reading.  Today was one of my favorite days in New Zealand. Aside from the beautiful gardens and movie set, driving though the hills and seeing the pastures filled with sheep was something I'll never forget. We got to see the beauty of New Zealand as we drove, and I'm thankful for everything I've had the privilege of experiencing."