Recap

Today is the last day of our trip and I though that I would take a little time to reminisce about the past experiences that have unfolded in the last month.

SYDNEY

When first arriving in Sydney, Australia I had no idea what to expect while stepping off of the plane but we hit the ground running through checking out the Hyde park barracks. This was the first building manufactured on the island and housed all of the English prisoners, which the prisoners actually built themselves. We were able to see the living conditions and the hammock that originally filled the thirds floor and we were also able to check to see if any of our ancestors were on the list of prisoners. We also learned how important rats were in the process of collecting of the information about the barracks and its inhabitants. The rats would hide materials and possessions in the walls over the course of the barracks history, which were eventually recovered and put on display. Our next stop that same day was a museum and specifically an exhibit on the aboriginals. We learned a brief over view about the life styles and the art of the original inhabitants of the continent. This included the hunting methods and the weapons that they would use including the returning boomerang, hook boomerang, wooden swords and their spears. This was also the day that we were first introduced to their unique form of art work and some of the symbols that they used to depict certain objects and animals. This was a nice brief first encounter that set up a solid basis for our future learning about the Anangu. This ended the lectures for the first day but now looking back on it seem to be the perfect starting point. We students just arriving on our first trip to Australia looked at the first two cultural groups that founded and created Australia. From that point we were free to do what we wanted and enjoy the city creating our own adventures. We all decided to go out as a group and grab a class dinner at a local eatery. We decided to hit up a local kebab stand where a few of us enjoyed our first taste delicious taste of Kangaroo. This long day and completely new city eventually tired most of use out and we called it a night returning to the hotel we had to wake up the next morning to attend the aquarium and the Taronga zoo

We woke up early on this nice Sydney morning with normal weather conditions consisting of rain and clouds and walked our way down to the Aquarium. Here we were able to get our first glimpse at some of the native creatures that live in either Australia fresh or saltwater habitats. We started in the fresh water habitat where I was able to see one of my favorite animals the Platypus. This turned out to be a lot smaller than I had originally predicted but just as anatomically awkward as I imagined. This was also the first time I experienced the Snake Necked Turtle and the Macqurie, which both have necks that stretch out of their shells a lot longer than turtle back in the States. After these encounters we entered the saltwater section of the aquarium where we observed the vast amount of sea life that we would soon be visiting at the great barrier reef. These animals were kept in many different sections some in large containers with many other fish while some were just one or two fish in a smaller container. In the large containers we saw Sting rays, Sea turtles, and sharks swim above us while we walked through a glass tube while in the distance we watched as a Dugong munched on its brekky of fresh sea leaves. I was also able to find my new favorite fish. Australian Pineapple Fish, which looks like a flattened pineapple that can swim. Upon leaving I could not help but resist but to purchase a nice fish and chips meal. After a nice lunch we took the ferry to the Taronga zoo. On this ride we got our first view of the Sydney Opera house and a great opportunity to gain a few shots from angles that could only be reached by boat. At the Taronga zoo we walked around viewing all of the different animals either from Australia or other continents. This was a large day for me because I had previously never attended a Zoo so there were many animals that I have never seen in person. The highlights for me were getting my first glimpses of Australian native animals like the Kangaroo, Koala, Emu and kookaburra. I also was able to see my favorite animals the Komodo Dragon. Afterward we went and watched a bird show that consisted of many birds that we would actually see in the wild throughout the trip and got an idea of their different hunting talents through up close and personal experiences with them where they flew high above the crowd or took money out of our hands. We were then again free to roam around as long as we wanted. That night was another evening where we hung out with classmates and attempted to explore the town and get our barrings for opportunities on free days. Again after a long day filled with walking we decided to turn in. We had to wake up early for a two hour train ride to our first experience in the rainforest.

While arriving at the Blue Mountains it seemed as though we were never going to be able to get a view of the three sisters, a famous selection of eroded rocks at the top of a cliff, due to the large quantities of fog. After spending a cold misty day in the rainforest and these peaks eluding our gaze the sun finally peaked out from the fog lifted and we were able to snap a few quick photos before they were once again covered. The actual trek through the forest was amazing giving us a great first impression of what to expect from the rainforest. We walked deep into the canyon and eventually ended up at the base of a giant waterfall and then we climbed back up the side back up to our starting point for lunch. We then again started walking through the forest where our guide gave use some great talks about the natural habitat and was able introduce us into the the many different plants that we past. Unfortunately we were unable to see many of the animals from the zoo because we were on the side wall of that rainforest and not in the center which the animals prefer. When we reached the end point we took a contraption similar to a roller-coaster out of the canyon. This ride was used by miners everyday as their main transportation to work. On the bus ride back we were all stiff and tired from our exportation and enjoyed the relaxing train ride back. This was also where I found a book on the train that happened to be on Amazon.com's best sellers list called, “Across the Universe”, by Beth Revis. I ended up reading finishing this book during the rest of our trip.

On our day off we again explored the city but this free range exploring had us walking all over from one end to another and experiencing more than we realized. This early exploration definitely helped us realize what to do on our free day when we came back around for the last few days in the area. We walked all the way down to paddy’s market and checked out all of the souvenirs that would could purchase for our family but refrained to save money and space in our suitcase. I only purchased a watch to help keep track of time because I no longer had a cell phone in my pocket. We then walked through the botanical gardens and took a peak at the Sydney Opera house while the sunset from the opposite side of the city. We had recently met a few individuals that informed us about the Sydney Wartahs Rugby game. The majority of individuals on out trip decided to walk to the stadium and watch the game together...until it started raining and some people decided to head further back into the stands to escape the light rain. After the game we all went our own ways until we met up the next morning to head out to the capital city of Canberra.

CANBERRA

After hearing that we were heading to the capital I expected it to be a larger city similar to Washington DC. Unfortunately the city was a lot smaller and colder than I expected. Winter was setting in and this noticeable through the fact that leaves were leaving the trees similar too home. Surprisingly this means that these trees are not native trees to Australia because instead of losing leaves native trees shed their bark. Since we had been walking a lot most of us purchased groceries and decided to go to sleep early. We then cooked dinner and while we ate we had the most diverse set of attitudes and beliefs sitting at one table. There was on individual that was from Botswana who was a vegan, taught guitar, and worked on organic farms for the past seven years and two other individuals from Tasmania that were either a brick worker or a painter and in their free time hunted. These individuals respected each other but not their ideals. This was apparent throughout the conversations and it painted a great picture of each persons personality and how they respond to other people. After things died down we all went our separate ways and it was time for bed. We had another day of touring and exploring.

Again we woke up early to go on a huge tour of the city and gain an inside view of it's history. We started at a nice look out over the city where we learned how the city was originally constructed by an architect and that it was created because Sydney and Melbourne were unable to decide which city should be the capital. The town was set up in a triangle shape separating it into three different sectors, which I believe are military,government and public. We then got an up close look at the parliament building and where the senate and the house of representatives. This is odd because I have never been in any United States government buildings. There are also plenty of symbols built into the capital my favorite is that you can have lunch on top of the parliament because the people are above the government and that there is a straight line between the war memorial and parliament to remind them of the consequences of their choices. We then went to the US Embassy and asked a few questions with members of the US government about their jobs. We then got a short tour of the lawn of the Embassy but was a little let down that we were not allowed to go inside of the house. The last stop of the day was the actual ANZAC War Memorial where we learned about the past wars that Australia had been a part of which was new to me. I had no idea they fought in the battle of Galipoli and how much they have supported the United States in wars. This day was incredibly taxing and by the end of this everyone was ready to crash for the night and prepare for the trip to Brisbane.

BRISBANE

On arrival (Brisbane) the first though that crossed my mind was this is what I expected out of Australia. The weather was warm and there was not a cloud in the sky. The city looked like a mix between New York City and Miami. After arriving at the hotel went to grab some groceries and all of a sudden it started to down pour and we were running through a new city in the rain. After grabbing groceries I decided to take it easy all and and begin reading across the universe and avoid the sloppy weather.

Lone Pine Sanctuary was a great day with a lot of interaction with a lot of animals native to Australia. This day was the time when we were able to actually hangout, feed, pet, and hold a native dog and a bunch of Marsupials. I started out with a quick trip to the Kangaroo pen where I was able to walk around feed a large group of kangaroos. It was nice to go early in the day because I was able to see them before other people came to interact with them and it was just three of us. When we went back later the field was littered with families and their wasn't the same feeling of being amongst the animals at that point. I started to feed them water which they enjoyed just as much as the food but the first time I tried to feed them I sprayed on in the face. Luckily he was not angry with me and even held my hand later on. I was also able to hold a Koala this day which was an incredible experience. I noticed how slow they moved and how they seemed really out of it the whole time we were together. The animal had a distinct smell and seemed really complacent. I expected the fur to be a lot softer but in reality it was rough. After these experiences I was able to pet a Dingo and take a picture with it. The most interesting part of my day was when we learned about the Platypus. This animal is surprisingly nocturnal. They are also the only marsupial that lays eggs in a den instead of a pouch. They use an electrical sensor in their bill to pick up food off of the bottom of a pond or a river and that their eyes are actually closed while they search for food. After this tour we looked at a lot of native birds and I finally saw two Tasmanian Devils up close. While in Torango Zoo they had an exhibit on Tasmanian Devils but they were sleeping behind bushes. After Lone Pine we returned to Brisbane and explored for a while and I actually met a local that worked for a Didgeridoo shop and gave me his contact information to keep in touch and meet up eventually to help me purchase one.

The next morning we woke up early to leave for Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. This was a five hour trip from Brisbane and eventually we ended up four wheeling across a beach. This beach run had a lot of large bumps and sitting in the back seat I was tossed around. This island had a perplexing ecosystem one that I did not exist before this trip. The Island is located in the ocean but has freshwater lakes thanks to the clay underneath the sand that holds it into place. The island was created by harsh tides that bring in sand and carry it out depending on if its summer or winter while strong gusts of winds also help build up sand dunes. Throughout the island there is also patches of rainforests that grow into the sand which is hard to believe because sand isn't the optimal choices for plant life to grow in. This island was also interesting because dependent on the tide there are certain points of the island that are only accessible while the tide is out. The tour guides were both entertaining and kept us occupied and completely stuffed with food while we were on the island. While staying over night on this island I saw my first and only groups of Cane Toads. I expected to see these animals a lot more often throughout this trip but this was the first time I noticed them, which makes me think that there is a lot less of a problem with them invading Australia.

After this we had two free days in Brisbane back to back where we were able to explore and meet with the locals that we had meet on our last visit. I met up with a local that used to work at a Didgeridoo shop in the South Bank Market. He took me to his old shop where he gave me a tutorial about how to tell if its a high quality instrument and then quick lesson on how to play. We then went out and grabbed some food and talked about the differences in cultures, shared music and a few stories. After returning to the States I have stayed in touch with him and he is actually giving me a few pointers on how to play the didgeridoo through videos of my playing and his criticisms. The rest of the day I took to relax and purchased a twenty-four hour internet card to contact friend and family back home.

This ends my recap of the first two weeks of the Australia Course. I would like to thank everyone that went on the trip for a great time. I felt as though I met and got to know everyone on the trip very well. Also thank you Colleen and Charlie for a great experience abroad and teaching us how easy and important it is to travel.

Dan