Tag: Australia

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Sydney Opera House

We finally made it to the Sydney Opera House which was really cool! The inside carpet was very colorful in some places like bright red and purple. When we went into the theaters we got to see how they prepare for the shows! We also got to see where they make props and where the stars come in, which most tourists would not be able to see (but technically we were not tourists)! We didn’t even have to have backstage passes! Next, we went to an Opal shop where I bought two pairs of earrings (not opal though).

After that we went to Rocks Walking Tours where we dressed up as convicts, governors or lieutenants; then we went out in public to learn about the Rocks history!

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Brisbane>Sydney, Parliament

We had to get up at 3am to go to the airport to get to Sydney. At least we got to have sparklers since it was the 4th of July! We had a lot of time in the gate and I actually fell asleep on my leg which left a mark on my forehead! Sadly, we had to leave behind Alana and Heidi who couldn’t stay the extra two days. By the way, we were supposed to be going home today (like Heidi did) but because of United, we got to stay 2 more days.

After we got to Sydney we went to the Olympic Aquatic Centre and got to swim in the not so lazy, lazy river (or just river). We all had to dry off once we got out because it was time to go to Parliament. We got to see the queen’s chair which was very fancy!

After the Parliament tour, we were able to go back to the hotel to change to warmer clothes before getting on our dinner cruise boat. We shared it with a high school People to People group who were fun to dance with! Some of the little guys like Ian and Mason got to dance with some girls! The food on the boat was really good, along with some of the boys’ moves! We could see the Sydney Opera House at one point too but sadly, the light show was not on yet.

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Surfing

We got to go to the beach and learn how to surf and boogie board! Surfing was painful since the board kept hitting me in the stomach. One time it flipped over my head and I couldn’t get it off until the next wave came. I also wasn’t able to stand up because it was too slippery. You might say I’m not that good at the whole surfing thing! But at least I was good at boogie boarding, and that was a lot more fun too! It might be because the board was not as painful hitting me in the stomach the first few times.

After our lessons, we took a walk along the beach where I got lots of cool seashells and rocks! Then we ate dinner and went on another walk to go shopping.

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Horseback Riding & Hiking

Before we went horseback riding, we had a little extra time so Alana taught us the basic rules of Cricket. When it was time to go horseback riding, I got the most gentlest, kindest, and calmest horse named Shy! I didn’t even have to do any work since she knew the way all by herself. But, apparently Amelia’s horse, Jude, didn’t like Shy because his ears were always down (which means they are mad, angry, or annoyed) when he was around her. He actually chased her up hill while I half screamed, half yelled stop while pulling on the reigns, but it was fun even though it startled me.

When everybody got back from horseback riding, we went on a hike up Sunshine Mountain and it was so beautiful! On the way, the ranger showed us jumping ants and how to crack a whip. After dinner we went to the dance cabin and danced to some aboriginal songs and rocked out to some new pop like “Call Me Maybe” (which soon got really annoying during the trip) and “Cotton Eyed Joe”!

I was scared because Ann (one of our leaders) bought a whip! 🙂

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Daydream Island>Kroombit Farm

We got off of Daydream Island and I was excited to finally sit with Maddie (who I haven’t been able to sit with). But apparently somebody spilled soda (which you’re not supposed to have out) and somebody else left a bunch of trash (which you’re supposed to pick up) so the leaders chose where we sat for the rest of the day. I was at the back of the line to get on the bus though, so I got to sit in the front by myself! Sitting by myself was better than somebody who is not my favorite person because I can sleep more comfortably on chairs and don’t have to talk or listen about something that doesn’t interest me.

When we got to Kroombit Farm (Queensland), we sat around a campfire and sang Australian songs; then showed the ranger something about America and/or Colorado.

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Great Barrier Reef

It was Tori’s birthday and her special present was to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef! We had to go on a 2 hour boat ride to get out to where we could get into the water. We spotted a whale on the way and named him Wally! He was showing off his tail flippers mostly, so we didn’t see his head but we believe he was pretty young because of the size of the flippers. The Great Barrier Reef was FREEZING! I had to come back to the ship early because I felt like I could get frostbite and the flippers were giving me cramps. I also didn’t want to get kicked in the face with flippers any more.

When we got back to the hotel, apparently some girls had “paranormal” activity and they thought some Australian boy stalkers or ghosts had broken into their room and taken their keys. And some people’s belongings ended up in different rooms and their suitcases were unlocked although they had locked them. There are perfectly good explanations for all of that; the maids, themselves, rumors, and seeing things because they are tired. Honestly, I think they were making mountains out of mole hills.

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Capricorn Caves & Dreamtime Aboriginal Culture Centre

We had 2 hours of free time at the hotel but we couldn’t swim or get wet. I did table tennis, then we all did mini golf. When we were done, it was time to go to Capricorn Caves. At the cave, it was pretty much just walking through a rainforest and caves. We went through a skinny cave by candlelight, but since I didn’t have a candle, and the person in front walked too fast, and the the person in back had to stop, I was left me in pitch dark so I hit my head, but at least Heather had her camera for a little light. We also learned that guano is bat poop and is used for make-up in some countries around the world! I really hope it’s not in America!

After that, we went to Dreamtime Aboriginal Culture Centre where we learned about the Aboriginal culture, watched a weird but cool aboriginal dance and saw the didgeridoo being played. It was really cool because you can make different animal noises like the dingo, kookaburra and kangaroos riding motorcycles! We also learned how to throw boomerangs, but I wasn’t very good so I bought one to practice in the backyard.

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Brisbane>Yepoon

We were on the bus with Jeff for about 9 hours to get from Brisbane to Yepoon. For lunch we stopped at Gin Gin State School and it was 100 years old!!! Did you know Australia has the most in common with Florida than any of the 50 states? Why? Because of the crocodiles and hurricanes (cyclones in Australia). That’s what I learned in school today!