Blue Mountains

Since my last post, we have had two travel days to get down to Sydney. We spent about 8 hours on the bus each day. We stopped at a great beach town Byron Bay, and was able to shop. It had such great stores there. Yeah!!
We made it to Sydney a night ago. Yesterday we woke up and rode two hours west to the Blue Mountains. We were going to do a program called Full On. Full On is a program which teaches the kids how to achieve their goals, and make good choices, and push themselves to their own ability. The goal of the morning program was to rappel off a 200ft cliff. I was able to acomplish this goal! I did panic at one part, but was able to be coaxed down by another Aussie. It was super intense- and my legs were weak after I did it. I am proud of myself and all the kids who completed it. We also broke a board in half with our hand. That was so easy...I channeled my energy and pow!

Today is the Sydney Opera House! It is the most spectacular building when you pass it!! Can't wait!

Surfing Safari

Yesterday we started our raining morning getting ready for surf lessons. We were all a little weary about having to surf in the rain. However, the rain stopped just as we got ready in our wetsuits.The sun cameout and we began our lessons. The waves were pretty big and the water was cold at first. I was able top stand up (w/ help) one time. I took a few diggers (and cleaned out my sinuses- no netti pot needed for me). We also got to use the boogie boards. It was the most amazing time!
Next we went and did a little shopping in the city of Brisbane.I haven't bought really anything except for Riley Jane and Jack. Things are wicked expensive, and not really worth the money.
Then we took a ferry out to Tangalooma Resort on Morton Island. The first thing we did when we got here was to feed dolphins. It was such a fun thing to do. I fed a dolphin named Seraphina and a little boy named Storm. Way fun.
This morning we woke up and snorkeled around a ship wreck. The water down here is sooo much colder- the shipwreck was unbelievable. The fish were friendly and plentiful. Later we took a big sand truck and did four wheeling. We then learned about the island and dolphins from the marine biologist.We then watched the dolphins being fed and did some research on them. Tomorrow we are traveling down toward Sydney. Great time, but I am really looking foward to getting home to my peeps!!!
Love and Miss you all!!!

My Prince Has Come

We toured two great things on the day of my birthday. First we went to the Capricorn Caves. That night we went to a Crocodile Farm. We had flashlights and had to flash the crocs and find them. It was really fun! The best part of all was having to use the restroom and having a frog jump out of the water after I stood up...Yes- I screamed and ran out of the restroom with my pants undone. Not a big fan of frogs and I am sure that the frogs aren't a big fan of my butt! However, the owner forgot to post his sign to say that there are frogs that live in the toilets there. (only a family of 5) Apparently they only enjoy the women's bathroom. Go figure, another thing only women have to endure...
Regardless- the delegation manager told them about my birthday. SPARKLERS on my cake! Yay me!!

Yesterday was a long travel day- we stopped at a public school in Gin Gin, I was able to help in a second grade classroom. The best part was when the whole class said Good Afternoon Mrs. Jiskra (in their cute Australian accents) my heart melted. We then went to this 5 star hotel, which we have really enjoyed. This morning we are eating breakfast, and then surfing!!! God- I hope I make it. Love to ALL K

Capricorn Caves

Well, yesterday we a long travel day. The only thing we did was go to an aborigional cultural center. It was amazing how they use the digereedoos (sp?) and they also showed us how to use a boomerange. I am not that great- however I got it to spin- it just didn't come back to me. We also watched a dance troop who did cultural dance. The kangeroo dance was soo cool. We thought about doing a dance that we would show the reinactment of the kangeroo bus hit. It would have been a hit!
Today we went to Capricorn Caves. It was really interesting as we traveled down into them. We also went through a maze- that included belly crawling around through tight spaces. After that we went to the beach and collected shells and did a little shopping. Tonight is the crocodile farm. It should be fun!

Today is my birthday in Australia- they all sang to me on the bus. Tomorrow is my birthday in the United States. I am going to buy myself two presents!! :) Just kidding honey!

Aussie Adventure Continues

Well, I have been off of the computer for a few days now. We had a long travel day two days ago. We traveled down to Charter Towers for our farm stay. Along the way we stopped at Billabong Nature Center, where we were able to interact with some of the animals native to Australia. Will (our guide) first brought out a wombat. He was perfectly content to get his belly scratched and sit on the trainers lap. We then had our picture taken with a khola (named Mack) She was a beautiful little thing. Apparently, they aren't very smart, and when we hold her she thinks we are still a tree. Will then brought us to see the crocodile cage. We were all a bit surprise when it jumped out of the water and started to run after him. It was like watching crocodile dundee in person. Very cool!
After that we drove another two hours to our farm stay. David and Jenni open up their farm to People to People groups during the winter months. We stayed in metal buildings with cots. The kids were able to play various games around the area (volleyball, tennis, basketball) The set up was amazing and really fun for the kids. The next moring we went to the cattle area. We learned alot about the cattle. We saw them casterate the young bulls and brand them. Some of the kids participated in the event. Holding the cow/ or branding. It was an interesting process. David then cooked up some of the testicle for us to try. Most of the Wisconsin Delegation tried it (we rock!) It was like spongy beef. I know...MMMMMM> It wasn't bad until I found a piece of it later in my mouth...Ugh!

We then had volunteers to preg- test a cow. Alex did a wonderful job getting right in there. Then my group volunteered me! Why not??? This is a trip of firsts (okay and lasts for that one) We had campfires at night, and the most wonderful meals made by the farm. We also went to visit a billabong (water area) The kids canoed and kayaked, and they also had a ropes course. Everyone had an amazing time.

Lastly, when we were there we saw our first kangeroos. They come out at dusk and seem to be plentiful. Unforunately, we hit one with our bus... We think he made it.
Just so you know that when you see a dead kangeroo- it is called a wasaroo!

We are now at a homestay with a wonderful couple (Christine and Graham). They made us a wonderful dinner, and today is a day off as the kids are with their homestay families. We will be going sightseeing!

Happy Birthday to my husband! I love ya!!

I Saw Nemo!!

Today we took a boat out to the Great Barrier Reef. It was a 1 1/2 hour cruise out to the reef. It was a bit of a rocky trip, and quite a few of us were green (not with envy- no one wanted what we felt). We all did make it there and quickly set off with our snorkling gear. It was an amazing experience seeing the reef. There were barricudas, clown fish, sea cucumbers, and so many sorts of coral. The water was warm and the waves pushed us around a bit. We were also able to take a ride in a mini submarine and see the sea life that way. I think I might have seen a shark- off in the distance. It was a small reef shark, but hey- it was still cool. We also say humpback whales up pretty close to the boat. We saw two of them jumping out of the water. We had a unique buffet of vegtable lasagna, sushi, rice and seafood chowder, fresh shrimp, fruit, and a few other goodies. The Reef Magic Tour guides were so helpful and informative. They kids were in a safe place and had the time of their lives. We just got back and are getting a few hours off before having dinner. Tomorrow we are leaving to drive to our farm stay. We will be stopping by the Wildlife Nature Center and will get the chance to hold a kohola. YEAH!!!

I am not sure there will be computer access in the next few days...so this might be it for a while.

Hello Australia!!

Well after 36 hours of continue flying, our group made it to Australia. It is a very long day and a half, but everyone did great! The flight from L.A. to Sydney was in a new Quantas airplane. If you have to fly long distances, this is the plane to be in. I have to say, that it was even cozy.... The kids loved that they each had their individual t.v.'s. With that being said, they had 100's of movies and television shows to pick from. They also had a gaming portion on their headset- with many games to play from. So lets just say- no one was pulling our their own gaming equipment. We arrived in Sydney and had to get on our last plane. One interesting things that we all found - was that Saturday, July 17, had completely disappeared. We traveled over the international date line, and it sucked up Saturday into a black hole. When we got here it was already Sunday. So....Hallie...my dear daughter. Here in Australia, you had no birthday. :) I did however spend my anniversary with 40 students, 3 delegate leaders and one tour manager at a wonderful restaurant on the bay in Cairns. Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Before dinner we took a sky rail tour of the Australian Rainforest. We had amazing views of the tropical plants and birds. We were able to walk on the path and take some pictures. The fern bucket plant was incredible.

We ended the night with swimming... some delegates crashed- as jet lag had done them in.... I slept like a rock!! We are up this moring and getting ready for breakfast. We will be heading out to the GREAT BARRIER REEF!!! So hello Nemo!
I hope to log in later to tell you all about the trip.