A GROUP of 23 Empangeni High pupils had the experience of a lifetime during the 24th international sport youth exchange programme between South Africa and Germany in July and August.
After a 29-hour trip, the group arrived in Pocking where they were welcomed by Mayor Franz Krah.
Pupils accompanied their host parents for a weekend before the start of a two-week programme at the Sport Secondary School at Hauzeberg, followed by a visit to Haus am Strom where the group learnt about nature and technical aspects of hydropower.
Two days were spent in Schönau next to the well known Lake Königssee for a sightseeing boat tour of Castle Herrenchiemsee, the palace of King Ludwig II.
They then burrowed into a salt mine in Berchtesgaden, took a trip to pristine waterfalls surrounded by the highest mountain in Germany and marvelled at water fountains in Hellbrunn, a baroque water castle near Salzburg and a unique summer palace dating back to the 17th century.
German archaeologists also lectured the group at the ruins of a castle in Hilgartsberg about its history, as well as the Stone Age Olympics site at Hofkirchen.
Days were also spent in the company of professional rowers and water-skiers on the river Danube in Vilshofen and Obernzell, among other highlights such as hiking in the Bavarian forest, a visit to a glass-blowing factory, walking among the tree tops and attending an organ concert performed on the biggest church organ in the world in Passau.
‘Hospitality of epic proportions were bestowed upon us by each and every host family, the organisers, the sponsors and the mayors from Pocking, Bad Griesbach and Aidenbach. We can’t thank them enough for an experience of a lifetime,’ said Julia da Silva of EHS.
‘Our heartfelt thanks goes to Marlene and Siegi Depold from Pocking, Bavaria and Schalk Smuts from South Africa who had the vision to start the Sport Student Exchange Programme almost 25 years ago.’
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