The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 9 - 13th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 9 Our last full day in Paris began with an early start for a tour in and around the Notre Dame were we learnt some fun facts about Paris fountains, clocks and a flower market.
Afterwards we split up for a bit of shopping and lunch. 
 
We meet back up again at the Louvre for a guided highlights tour that included visiting the Mona Lisa. 
 
We had a nice team dinner near Montmarte before heading up the hill to Sacré Coeur and finnishing off the night with some exciting unboxing of Sonny Angels in the foyer. 
 
- Sophie & Estelle
 

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 10 - 13th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 10 Well we packed as much as possible into our final day here in Paris!
We started the day with a great Bike tour which took us through parks, back alleyways and also past major tourist spots, with a welcome stop for a Croissant from an award winning bakery, which indeed was one of the best we have sampled this week!
Then the girls were of course extremely keen for last minute shopping and a group also ventured over to the spectacular Arc de Triomphe.

We are all back at hotel now awaiting the  bus to airport and begin the long haul home.

Robyn and I are thrilled with the success of this tour and are just so proud of our dancers, who have  represented our Academy, their families and themselves with passion and pride.

Robyn & Julie
 

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 8 - 9th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 8 Today was another fun day in Paris! Some of us went to Disneyland, while others spent the day shopping and relaxing.

The Disneyland group had a great time going on rides, watching shows, and enjoying all the Disney fun. It was an exciting and busy day!

The rest of us stayed in the city. We went shopping, bought some souvenirs, and then spent time either relaxing under the Eiffel Tower or taking in some more sights.

In the evening, the city group met up again and went to a French musical at the Lido Theatre while the Disney group ended the day watching the firework show.

— Abby
 

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 7 - 8th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 7 Today was our first full day in Paris which started off with a yummy Paris buffet breakfast which set us off for a busy day of activities to explore!

We had booked tickets for a 3 hour tour in a mini bus, which showed us some iconic spots in Paris to visit as well as walking through the gardens and trying the best macarons. At the end of the tour we finished at the Eiffel Tower which we had booked tickets to go up and see the beautiful view from the summit!

We then got back to our motel and had a quick turn around to get ready for dinner which we had booked tickets to go around on a cruise on the seine river. We then finished off the day with group pictures in front of the sparkly Eiffel Tower.

- Lily and Sophie

Belgium Tattoo - Day 4 - 7th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo - Day 4
Today kicked off with a well-earned sleep-in as we geared up for our first show day!

We arrived at the arena around lunchtime and jumped straight into our first performance — it was over in a flash!

After the show, we had some well-deserved downtime. Some of the girls got to catch up with family over an early dinner before they joined the audience in our next show! It’s lovely to have our kiwi supporters here!

We then joined the kapa haka group for a pre-show, lively, (and mandatory!) jump jam session.

Before we knew it, it was time for show number two. We’re all buzzing and can’t wait for our final show tomorrow!

- Kaitlin and Neryda

Belgium Tattoo - Day 5 - 7th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo - Day 5 ast show today! It felt very bittersweet doing all the dances for the last time, but we are all looking forward to Paris tomorrow!


After the finale of our last show, we took some photos with other groups, quickly had some dinner at the arena, then headed off for an evening at Brugge.

At Brugge, we looked around different shops and most had awesome waffles! Finished up time at Brugge by celebrating with some of the pipers from the tattoo!

We all came back to the hotel a tad exhausted but excited for the rest of the trip!

- Crystal + Eva
 

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 6 - 7th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog - Day 6

Today we said our farewells to our home for the past few days in Oostende, Belgium and started our journey en route to Paris!

We took a 2 hour bus trip to Brussels, then relaxed with a sigh of relief when we made it on the train to Paris.

After lugging our belongings up and down the metro staircases, we made it to our accomodation for the rest of our trip. Once settling in, we hit the streets of Paris! 

A few of us caught up with family, whilst the others started with pizza for dinner. We then made our way to the Louvre, where many photos were taken! Following this, as a group we ended our evening with 5 star gelato and crepes! 

Now we are going to get a good sleep before a full day of sightseeing tomorrow! 

Livvy and Chloe :)

Belgium Tattoo Blog- Day 2 - 4th Oct 2025

Belgium Tattoo Blog- Day 2

After a long day of travelling and sightseeing in Amsterdam, we were treated with a sleep in which was well needed. Once we finished eating some breakfast, we made a quick trip to the supermarket. We then hopped on the bus for a big day of rehearsals. 

We rehearsed our dance with Te Ahikaaroa where we began to see it all come together! We continued our rehearsals before making our way to the arena for the first time! We ate some dinner before heading outside to continue perfecting our dances. Now off to get a good nights sleep before another big day of rehearsals tomorrow! 

Isla and Estelle x

The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing Inc., PO Box 5470, Palmerston North
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