First of all...a HUGE thank you to Annemarie and the Deckers for spearheading this gathering! I, for one, am looking forward to seeing everyone again.
I'm working on my photo album...I'm working on my homestay pictures now...so I should be totally finished by next weekend. Everyone remember to bring your albums to share. I'm trying to get some photos uploaded to Chad's site. I had named all mine, and had spaces in the names - which made them 'unloadable' to his site...so I'm going back and closing the spaces.
My high game ... back in 1972 ... was197. Wonder if I can even roll a 97 thirty five years later?
See you on the 18th at 3 p.m.!
P.S. Are you thinking - Celtic Discovery?
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Day 16..."The Longest Tuesday" or "We're Heading Home"
This was definitely the longest Tuesday I bet any of us have ever had. We started by saying a tearful good-bye to Tim...then our 1st plane left Cairns at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday. We arrived in Sydney, went through customs since we were leaving the country...and left there on a 10:20 a.m. flight. That was the beginning of our 14 hour flight to LAX.
Notice the Harry Potter book? This is the British version. It came out while we were traveling, so seven of our group bought the book at the Cairns airport.
After we watched the sunrise out the window of the plane, we arrived at LAX at about 7 a.m. on Tuesday...yep, the same Tuesday we left Australia on. We had a layover there...and then came that much anticipated flight to SFO - landing at 12:05 p.m.
It's always nice to go new places and see new things...but then again, it's always nice to come home.
Notice the Harry Potter book? This is the British version. It came out while we were traveling, so seven of our group bought the book at the Cairns airport.
After we watched the sunrise out the window of the plane, we arrived at LAX at about 7 a.m. on Tuesday...yep, the same Tuesday we left Australia on. We had a layover there...and then came that much anticipated flight to SFO - landing at 12:05 p.m. It's always nice to go new places and see new things...but then again, it's always nice to come home.
Day 15 - Fitroy Island and our last full day in Australia
I felt like I was in a tropical paradise today - well, that's probably because I WAS in a tropical paradise...Fitzroy Island.
This is the boat we went to the island on.
Rainbow over Cairns...from the back of the boat.
This boat to Fitzroy only took about 45 minutes-contrasting the ride to the reef yesterday that took twice that long.. The weather was a huge improvement. It would cloud up a little, and then be perfectly clear. Once we arrived on the island, we had a little time to explore before we took a hike up to the top - to the lighthouse. (and what did I forget??? my camera! HELP, CHAD!)
This is our "round two" picture. Chad traveled with my delegation last year on the "Heart of th Mediterranean" itinerary.
Once we returned, we divided into two groups - one to snorkel and one to kayak. The snorkeling was awesome. I kept having to look up to make sure I didn't stray too far out - I was so amazed by the coral and the fish...I hated to look up!
Fitzroy Island is changing - unfortunately, in my opinion. It still has an old world, rustic charm to it. However, someone has decided they can make some money...and condos are starting to be built. Tim told us the open air restaurant is also going to come down and something fancier will be rebuilt there.
Some pictures of this beautiful place:
Tonight was our 'formal dinner'...but we had to dress on the island. When I first heard this, I was disappointed for the group - knowing (I thought) that the girls would want their make up, their hair dryers and straighteners, etc. Well, talk about 'making lemonade when life gives you lemons' - our group - your darling children - made the ultimate most out of the situation. They brought all their make up and LOTS of MOUSSE...and they put make up on each other...and the girls set up shop and fixed the guys' hair. It was classic...it was wonderful!
Margot was NOT posing for the camera!
Putting make up on Sara Fun - as she was called...because, well, she was a LOT of fun!
Alex...you're looking good!
I think Chad was captured...if I remember right, he wasn't too sure about having his hair done!
Peter got the treatment!
Dustin was loving it!
Our ladies...
Our men...
So we left the island in style...and once we got to the mainland, we headed to Verdi's, an Italian restaurant. Between our meal and dessert, we surprised Tim with some cards and presents. I told the group how fortunate we had been to have had a delegation manager like Tim. He was remarkable...he loves Australia and is extremely knowledgeable about it. Plus, he loves to share his country. He had a great sense of humor...and had patience.
What an experience we all have had...visiting the "Land down under"... Here it was, the end of our 15th day in Australia. I know I plan on coming back.
This is the boat we went to the island on.
Rainbow over Cairns...from the back of the boat.
This boat to Fitzroy only took about 45 minutes-contrasting the ride to the reef yesterday that took twice that long.. The weather was a huge improvement. It would cloud up a little, and then be perfectly clear. Once we arrived on the island, we had a little time to explore before we took a hike up to the top - to the lighthouse. (and what did I forget??? my camera! HELP, CHAD!)
This is our "round two" picture. Chad traveled with my delegation last year on the "Heart of th Mediterranean" itinerary.Once we returned, we divided into two groups - one to snorkel and one to kayak. The snorkeling was awesome. I kept having to look up to make sure I didn't stray too far out - I was so amazed by the coral and the fish...I hated to look up!
Fitzroy Island is changing - unfortunately, in my opinion. It still has an old world, rustic charm to it. However, someone has decided they can make some money...and condos are starting to be built. Tim told us the open air restaurant is also going to come down and something fancier will be rebuilt there.
Some pictures of this beautiful place:
Tonight was our 'formal dinner'...but we had to dress on the island. When I first heard this, I was disappointed for the group - knowing (I thought) that the girls would want their make up, their hair dryers and straighteners, etc. Well, talk about 'making lemonade when life gives you lemons' - our group - your darling children - made the ultimate most out of the situation. They brought all their make up and LOTS of MOUSSE...and they put make up on each other...and the girls set up shop and fixed the guys' hair. It was classic...it was wonderful!
Margot was NOT posing for the camera!
Putting make up on Sara Fun - as she was called...because, well, she was a LOT of fun!
Alex...you're looking good!
I think Chad was captured...if I remember right, he wasn't too sure about having his hair done!
Peter got the treatment!
Dustin was loving it!
Our ladies...
Our men...So we left the island in style...and once we got to the mainland, we headed to Verdi's, an Italian restaurant. Between our meal and dessert, we surprised Tim with some cards and presents. I told the group how fortunate we had been to have had a delegation manager like Tim. He was remarkable...he loves Australia and is extremely knowledgeable about it. Plus, he loves to share his country. He had a great sense of humor...and had patience.
What an experience we all have had...visiting the "Land down under"... Here it was, the end of our 15th day in Australia. I know I plan on coming back.
Day 14 - Way out on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier ReefWay out...means it took us 1 1/2 hours on a boat to get out to the pontoon. We were on a Sunlover tour. It was not the most ideal conditions...not at all. The wind was blowing...it was overcast...but most of us didn't let that stop us. You could rent a wetsuit for $10 to snorkel, and some did. I think most people just got their snorkel gear and went right in. The temperature outside was 71 degrees...and the water was 73 degrees! I saw the thermometer...although it felt cooler. For those of us who had never snorkeled, I think it was great...for those who had, they knew this was no where as good as it gets.
There was also a glass bottom boat. I don't know how many went on that...Lynne and I did...and we thought it was awesome! There was also an observation room - that was OK.
Unfortunately, I didn't even take my camera this day. I had an underwater camera that I still haven't developed. I'll post those - if I can - when I get them.
Day 13 in Kuranda
We said good-bye to our Australian families at 9 a.m. and boarded the bus for Kuranda.
When we first arrived, we had a little time to explore. Unfortunately, we had quite a few of our group getting sick :( Stacy and Lynne felt the worst, I believe. But everyone kept going and I think, had a great time!
Our first stop was getting to feed the wallabies. They're so cute and these were so tame. They just ate right out of your hand.
We also saw a wombat, more crocodiles, a dingo...and the koalas! That is one animal I was REALLY looking forward to seeing in Australia. The picture you see here with one eating a eucalyptus leaf...is one of my favorite pictures of the trip! (Well, when I ordered 'just a few of my favorite pictures' - I ended up with 331 pictures...how long will THAT take me to scrapbook?)
In case you're wondering, this is a non-flattering picture of a wombat!
A dingo.
A Cassowary.
We also got to each have our picture made with the most laid back koala possible!
We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe...not like the one in the bay area, but still, a Rainforest Cafe. After that, we had a demonstration and got to try our hand at throwing a boomerang. Two aborigines helped us...and only one of us at a time went into this large fenced area to throw. Boomerangs are truly weapons...can be deadly weapons - thus the one at a time in a semi-closed area.
Samir
Ginalisa
Tim
Judy
We also watched three guys throwing spears...and one of them played the digeridoo for us..he could really play it! We also watched a show - Pamagirri - from the Pamagirri Dance Troup - with seven different dances. Each dance had a significance such as showing how to hunt in the mangroves, or warning an invading tribe to stay away, etc. I didn't get pictures because my camera made them too dark - but CHAD DID! So...when I get some from Chad, I'll post them here.
Tim showed some of us a cacao tree and a coffee bean tree. I was SHOCKED at the cacao pods!
Then came the Army Ducks. These were built in WWII by women! They go on land or sea...and we went on both on our ride. Our guide pointed out different parts of the rainforest, some unusual plants, etc., on our journey.
We also had dinner here...along with another high school People to People group from Connecticut. There were a couple of guys playing music...which sparked a dancing craze among our groups...
An exciting day within the rainforest was our Day 13!
When we first arrived, we had a little time to explore. Unfortunately, we had quite a few of our group getting sick :( Stacy and Lynne felt the worst, I believe. But everyone kept going and I think, had a great time!
Our first stop was getting to feed the wallabies. They're so cute and these were so tame. They just ate right out of your hand.
We also saw a wombat, more crocodiles, a dingo...and the koalas! That is one animal I was REALLY looking forward to seeing in Australia. The picture you see here with one eating a eucalyptus leaf...is one of my favorite pictures of the trip! (Well, when I ordered 'just a few of my favorite pictures' - I ended up with 331 pictures...how long will THAT take me to scrapbook?)
In case you're wondering, this is a non-flattering picture of a wombat!
A dingo.
A Cassowary.
We also got to each have our picture made with the most laid back koala possible!
We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe...not like the one in the bay area, but still, a Rainforest Cafe. After that, we had a demonstration and got to try our hand at throwing a boomerang. Two aborigines helped us...and only one of us at a time went into this large fenced area to throw. Boomerangs are truly weapons...can be deadly weapons - thus the one at a time in a semi-closed area.
Samir
Ginalisa
Tim
JudyWe also watched three guys throwing spears...and one of them played the digeridoo for us..he could really play it! We also watched a show - Pamagirri - from the Pamagirri Dance Troup - with seven different dances. Each dance had a significance such as showing how to hunt in the mangroves, or warning an invading tribe to stay away, etc. I didn't get pictures because my camera made them too dark - but CHAD DID! So...when I get some from Chad, I'll post them here.
Tim showed some of us a cacao tree and a coffee bean tree. I was SHOCKED at the cacao pods!
Then came the Army Ducks. These were built in WWII by women! They go on land or sea...and we went on both on our ride. Our guide pointed out different parts of the rainforest, some unusual plants, etc., on our journey.
We also had dinner here...along with another high school People to People group from Connecticut. There were a couple of guys playing music...which sparked a dancing craze among our groups...
An exciting day within the rainforest was our Day 13!
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