Shiga Kogen parents visit TASCI families

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 265, 29 November 1988, Page 5

Shiga Kogen parents visit TASCI families

Despite having no children of suitable age to take part in this year's Turoa/Shiga Kogen exchange a group of parents decided to come anyway.

Normally a group of young skiers travel to Japan each year for ski training, with a group of Shiga Kogen skiers coming to Ohakune as the other part of the exchange. This year a group of

parents visited New Zealand for six days, seeing Auckland, the Ruapehu region, Taupo and Waitomo while here. Turoa Alpine Ski Club members managed to persuade the visitors

to accept their hospitality rather than stay in hotels, which club member Dave Scott said turned out to be very successful. On the Saturday night at a welcome dinner the 1989 TASCI training team to Shiga Kogen were announced and introduced. The Shiga Kogen ladies conducted a tea cere-

mony for Club President Bruce Wilde and Ski Captain Dave Scott and presented the club with a tea service. The trip to Taupo included a drive along the Desert Road with side trips to look at alpine flora and into the Kaimanawas. Taupo trolling featured also, with Kimiko Y a - mamoto catching a fine fish, which w a s eaten immediately as sashumi. While in the Ruapehu area the Japanese visitors lunched and dined at various TASCI members* homes.

A visit to Turoa Skifields, while out of season for skiing, did include a ride on the' Movenpick. This gave the parents an opportunity to see where their children had skied during their trips here. On their last day here they visited Drayton's Farm, tried their hand

at shearing, played golf and tennis, spent several thousand dollars in Ohakune shops

and in the evening partied at the Scotts' house. There they sang English songs, the

hosts sang Japanese songs and finally both groups said their emotional goodbyes.