tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49607076507037208032024-03-14T17:43:03.698+11:00Katisha Down UnderKatishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-16351417484649534052010-12-14T14:11:00.005+11:002010-12-14T14:37:23.613+11:00This is for Junior B:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2c_gg37BSazL2TZgm5HTXIaatoYjnmoYoa8cUsq1jUfsM-n4xcaJPGSvoUqTlD6ctI-ZHJQqnsgzCeRnLmQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Since several of you asked about my husband in your letters, I thought I'd let him introduce himself:<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLMU7R1FcjunjBWqjG9jHNNv8jB49DuXxEle9QITj6T-XdNfhRQWHCp5OQcSMksaIE7F3-zGQs1MfsBCIcHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Take a look at the snow!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxzPZCJQ6bjbjV16tTOqoUy0ZBw5v1ay1LkPHqDN17grJWOp4WI7fsLvi7p4NNFfjFhom4WFGkW-sYW9Jwclg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-48087934312073045162010-05-18T06:04:00.010+10:002010-05-18T06:59:00.618+10:00The End<div align="center"> My Aussie Adventure has come to an end. On my last day of student teaching, Junior B and Junior S threw me a party. All of the students gave me cards and brought in food. I can't post a picture of the students, but here is part of the spread they created for me. There were lots of great "Australian foods" including fairy bread (white bread with butter and sprinkles), lamingtons, and lollies (candy). </div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjrAWPesI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L2QHQpxZBk8/s1600/Aussie+Farewell+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472333252625127202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GiGX9HVyI/AAAAAAAAAio/j1M1a9U44lM/s400/School+Stuff+445.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">It was very hard for me to leave my students at the end of the day. I think it's always tough when you have to leave a group of kids you've become so attached to, but knowing I was going to the other side of the world made it even more difficult.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">On the Saturday before I flew back, my host mum and Charlotte's host mum threw a farewell party for us. Over 40 people came to see us off. I knew it would be difficult to leave everyone when I went to Australia, but I really underestimated how hard it would be to leave all of my new friends to come home.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">These are the two teachers I worked with everyday. Teresa (on the left) teaches Junior S and is in the classroom adjoining Junior B's classroom. Jo (in the middle) teaches Junior B and was my cooperating teacher.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334981454854850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjrAWPesI/AAAAAAAAAjw/L2QHQpxZBk8/s400/Aussie+Farewell+007.JPG" /> </div><div align="center">Here I am with Helen, my host mum. We had lots of fun together! <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334965023604626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjqDIuf5I/AAAAAAAAAjg/A4TjaFtKpXY/s400/Aussie+Farewell+016.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /> More Aussie friends: Claire, Kandice, and Cameron<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_Gjqvfx_gI/AAAAAAAAAjo/e7cXmYOAjOc/s1600/Aussie+Farewell+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334976931462658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_Gjqvfx_gI/AAAAAAAAAjo/e7cXmYOAjOc/s400/Aussie+Farewell+012.JPG" /></a> <div>This is Charlotte (the other American student) and Chris (her new Aussie boyfriend). She came home to graduate from Auburn and spend some time with her family, but she is moving back to Australia in July. <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjI2d3igI/AAAAAAAAAjY/VWgDtnYm3Rg/s1600/Aussie+Farewell+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334394686933506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjI2d3igI/AAAAAAAAAjY/VWgDtnYm3Rg/s400/Aussie+Farewell+022.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br />My host family took me to the airport on Monday, May 3 and I flew out at 10:10 A.M. After a 14 hour flight to L.A., a layover, and another 4 hour flight, I landed in Nashville at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, May 3. It was the LONGEST day of my life, but it felt good to be home. <br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Lexington with Anna, Cameron, and Katie! I was SO excited to see them again!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472333245729982882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GiF-RLyaI/AAAAAAAAAig/oOhxRHx2CSw/s400/Graduation+004.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> Graduation on May 8<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjIXLR45I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/zz3MmEMbfQM/s1600/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334386287469458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjIXLR45I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/zz3MmEMbfQM/s400/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+001.JPG" /></a><br />"Kristina Ann Pickrell." Nothing like having the wrong name announced at graduation to brighten up your day.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjH7bgr8I/AAAAAAAAAjI/gAVSXOP7wQ0/s1600/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334378839355330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjH7bgr8I/AAAAAAAAAjI/gAVSXOP7wQ0/s400/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+011.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Yay for participation!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334365576250546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjHKBVxLI/AAAAAAAAAi4/bIPzJhZhTDc/s400/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+024.JPG" /> </div><div>With Mom and Dad afterwards.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472333241225645026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GiFtfRC-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/22BQBxBq34g/s400/Graduation+014.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Unlike Charlotte, I avoided the Aussie boys and decided to stick with the one I had before I left. With Mitch after graduation. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjHWmqFQI/AAAAAAAAAjA/XCmDxiW7W6Y/s1600/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+020a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472334368953996546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S_GjHWmqFQI/AAAAAAAAAjA/XCmDxiW7W6Y/s400/Graduation+(Dad%27s)+020a.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div>I can't believe how fast my time in Australia went. I'm sad that my time in Oz has come to an end, but I'm excited about (hopefully) getting a job and having my own classroom. Thanks for checking out my blog and I hope you've enjoyed my adventures!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-1229254323327269682010-05-01T09:35:00.007+10:002010-05-02T09:49:33.850+10:00Hobart: A.K.A. Civilization<div align="center">After driving around Tasmania for a day and a half, Charlotte and I were excited to see lights, cars, and people again. Charlotte went to New Zealand over the holidays and made a friend that lives in Hobart. He was kind enough to drive us to the top of Mount Wellington and show us around. Here we are at the top of the mountain. Hobart is behind us. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttXg6gRLI/AAAAAAAAAiI/kby5k5lRA5E/s1600/Tasmania+229.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466082823483966642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttXg6gRLI/AAAAAAAAAiI/kby5k5lRA5E/s400/Tasmania+229.JPG" /></a><br />Another view from the top of the mountain.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttXDVfn9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/T1Z3tsJJAnw/s1600/Tasmania+232.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466082815544106962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttXDVfn9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/T1Z3tsJJAnw/s400/Tasmania+232.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Every Saturday, there is a market on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Salamanca</span> Street. We missed the market, but there are some great little shops in this area. You can see Mount Wellington in the background.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttWhOC1yI/AAAAAAAAAh4/18yBOh2Fik8/s1600/Tasmania+241.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466082806386054946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttWhOC1yI/AAAAAAAAAh4/18yBOh2Fik8/s400/Tasmania+241.JPG" /></a><br /><br />After going to Mount Wellington and shopping, we decided to go the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. This is the second oldest botanical garden in Australia.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttV-wKk4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/dJcOHITqBY4/s1600/Tasmania+250.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466082797133927298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttV-wKk4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/dJcOHITqBY4/s400/Tasmania+250.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Tasmania is further south than <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geelong</span>, so it is cooler than where I've been staying. It is Fall (or Autumn, as they call it) in the southern hemisphere, but it doesn't look anything like a Kentucky Fall. A few trees have changed color and lost their leaves, but not very many. In Tasmania, I saw a lot more trees with colorful leaves and it reminded me of the Fall I'm used to. <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttVeH2mDI/AAAAAAAAAho/NU0xMARjb8o/s1600/Tasmania+260.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466082788374911026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ttVeH2mDI/AAAAAAAAAho/NU0xMARjb8o/s400/Tasmania+260.JPG" /></a><br />More of the Botanical Gardens<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trPyLBGpI/AAAAAAAAAhg/wta0ZZw2ULM/s1600/Tasmania+261.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466080491654421138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trPyLBGpI/AAAAAAAAAhg/wta0ZZw2ULM/s400/Tasmania+261.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trPS66ZsI/AAAAAAAAAhY/TKG6wxpc-0I/s1600/Tasmania+262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466080483265373890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trPS66ZsI/AAAAAAAAAhY/TKG6wxpc-0I/s400/Tasmania+262.JPG" /></a><br />This is the Tasman Bridge, which is the main route from the center of Hobart to the eastern shore. <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trO0ZOKMI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/3Ytq0Djq6KA/s1600/Tasmania+271.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466080475070998722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trO0ZOKMI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/3Ytq0Djq6KA/s400/Tasmania+271.JPG" /></a><br />After spending some time in the gardens, we went to Seven Mile Beach, which is about 25-30 minutes from the center of Hobart. It was pretty, but also very cold. Charlotte and I were wrapped up in fleeces and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoodies</span> and we were still freezing from the wind. This didn't stop two little boys from swimming in the water though.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trOb77FgI/AAAAAAAAAhI/qqHCYpy7Bu8/s1600/Tasmania+276.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466080468505662978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trOb77FgI/AAAAAAAAAhI/qqHCYpy7Bu8/s400/Tasmania+276.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Our last night in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tassi</span> was spent in Hobart. We took Charlotte's friend's advice and ate fish 'n' chips at a place called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mures</span>. It was a laid back atmosphere and the fish was fresh off the boat. This is the view we had at dinner.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trN5W11wI/AAAAAAAAAhA/B37ewpCww3c/s1600/Tasmania+286.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466080459223324418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9trN5W11wI/AAAAAAAAAhA/B37ewpCww3c/s400/Tasmania+286.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div><p align="center"> It's hard to believe, but my time in Australia is coming to an end. I had a great last week at school and my cooperating teacher and students threw me a surprise party. They also gave me beautiful cards and I had a hard time leaving them on Friday. Last night my host mum and Charlotte's host mum threw a farewell party for both of us. It was great to see my new friends one last time before I fly back. I expected it to be difficult to come to Australia, but I underestimated how difficult it would be to leave. However, I'm very excited to see everyone back home and will begin my flight back tomorrow morning. Time to pack :( </p>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-5365808925584190092010-04-28T14:15:00.012+10:002010-04-29T13:44:49.179+10:00Port Arthur<div align="center">Port Arthur was one of my favorite places we visited while in Tasmania. In 1830 the Port Arthur penal station was established as a camp for convicts to produce sawn logs. It later grew in to a punishment station for repeat offenders from all the Australian colonies. Eventually, it became a major industrial settlement with military and free men and their families living in the community, as well. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">This is the Penitentiary, which is the largest building at the settlement.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465038175761973410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3RA49wKI/AAAAAAAAAg4/nAqX6YjDsyQ/s400/Tasmania+126.JPG" /> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Bushfires destroyed many of the buildings after the convict settlement was closed in 1877. The Penitentiary no longer has a roof and a lot of other damage due to these bushfires. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3QpdQR2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/jYCecpSuQHY/s1600/Tasmania+133.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465038169471731554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3QpdQR2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/jYCecpSuQHY/s400/Tasmania+133.JPG" /></a><br />The Guard Tower<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3GobrVnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/cf4OBUJIcmA/s1600/Tasmania+142.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037997397988978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3GobrVnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/cf4OBUJIcmA/s400/Tasmania+142.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3GKoF1QI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ORfSTl97R70/s1600/Tasmania+148.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037989396993282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3GKoF1QI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ORfSTl97R70/s400/Tasmania+148.JPG" /></a><br />I thought the eeriest building was the Separate Prison. Here, the convicts were reformed through isolation. They were locked in single cells for 23 hours a day and never uttered a word unless they were spoken to by a guard.<br /><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037694007452818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e20-NvJJI/AAAAAAAAAgA/aHjdDfOUyhI/s400/Tasmania+184.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is one of the cells in the Separate Prison. The prisoners had to work all day, making things like brooms.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3FXqOUAI/AAAAAAAAAgY/MNhd7TvJ8Fc/s1600/Tasmania+173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037975715729410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3FXqOUAI/AAAAAAAAAgY/MNhd7TvJ8Fc/s400/Tasmania+173.JPG" /></a><br />Even in the chapel, the prisoners were kept apart in these closet-like barriers. They had to stand up throughout the entire service.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3E3q7idI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/R7DpRBpLC7E/s1600/Tasmania+179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037967128758738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3E3q7idI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/R7DpRBpLC7E/s400/Tasmania+179.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Charlotte in one of the chapel spots.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3EWW0n-I/AAAAAAAAAgI/ho3hWbusvbk/s1600/Tasmania+180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037958186049506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e3EWW0n-I/AAAAAAAAAgI/ho3hWbusvbk/s400/Tasmania+180.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">This is the Church in which people were required to attend services each Sunday.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e20cLa2qI/AAAAAAAAAf4/PpWjqLivgAA/s1600/Tasmania+203.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037684870929058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e20cLa2qI/AAAAAAAAAf4/PpWjqLivgAA/s400/Tasmania+203.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Port Arthur is a beautiful place, but its history is full of horrible events. In 1996 a gunman killed 35 people and wounded 19 others. Their names are on the cross below. For me, this was one of the most disturbing things I saw at the settlement.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2z3zad3I/AAAAAAAAAfw/UEkr6fJ0rUM/s1600/Tasmania+212.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037675106563954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2z3zad3I/AAAAAAAAAfw/UEkr6fJ0rUM/s400/Tasmania+212.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A Memorial Garden was created as a place of remembrance for those who died that day. The building in the background of this picture is the shell of the Broad Arrow Cafe, which is where 20 people were killed.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2zUAwGkI/AAAAAAAAAfo/6KPejRRk3KU/s1600/Tasmania+213.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037665498831426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2zUAwGkI/AAAAAAAAAfo/6KPejRRk3KU/s400/Tasmania+213.JPG" /></a><br />A ferry ride away from the mainland is a small island called the Isle of the Dead. Members of the military, their wives and children, and convicts were buried here between 1833 and 1877. We didn't get to go to the island, but you can see a glimpse of it here. Beyond the island is a place called Pointe Puer Boys' Prison. Most of the boys were between 14 and 17 years old, but there was at least one as young as 9.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2ymStZzI/AAAAAAAAAfg/oer7bnUNBrQ/s1600/Tasmania+215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465037653226121010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9e2ymStZzI/AAAAAAAAAfg/oer7bnUNBrQ/s400/Tasmania+215.JPG" /></a> After spending the afternoon in Port Arthur, we drove to Hobart for our second night. Those pics will be added soon!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-77824236988911977322010-04-27T17:48:00.007+10:002010-04-27T21:08:56.726+10:00Freycinet<div><div style="text-align: center;">Australians celebrated Anzac Day this weekend to honor current and past members of the country's armed services. Monday was a public holiday in Victoria, so there was no school. Charlotte and I took advantage of this and went to Tasmania. We arrived in Launceston, where we were greeted by a torrential downpour and Verdi, the owner of a camper van rental company. Despite Charlotte's repeated requests for the only automatic camper van the company owns, there was a mix up and only manual camper vans were available. We were already nervous enough about driving on the left side of the road, let alone the fact that neither of us can drive a stick. Luckily, Verdi made some calls and we were able to meet up with our automatic camper van on our way to Freycinet National Park. <br /><br />We got to Coles Bay around 6:00 PM and the entire town was shut down. Literally. Before going to Tassi we were told that it is really beautiful, but can also be kind of boring. With nothing else to do, we found our campsite and spent our first night in Tasmania.<br /> <br /><br />In front of our "Little Devil" camper van<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab6oLqfHI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Pb2Sc9Y5ufQ/s1600/Tasmania+025.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464726629381733490" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab6oLqfHI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Pb2Sc9Y5ufQ/s400/Tasmania+025.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since it was raining so much, we decided to make tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner in our camper van.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab6Kt-xyI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/5_C0hvdP84w/s1600/Tasmania+039.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464726621472605986" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab6Kt-xyI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/5_C0hvdP84w/s400/Tasmania+039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">While it tasted good, it definitely was not our smartest decision in terms of dishes. Pumping water is NOT fun.<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab5s359DI/AAAAAAAAAfI/yH68JwbVziE/s1600/Tasmania+043.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464726613461169202" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9ab5s359DI/AAAAAAAAAfI/yH68JwbVziE/s400/Tasmania+043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Charlotte in our tiny bed<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa4mxEnRI/AAAAAAAAAfA/V1IYHOpZ0is/s1600/Tasmania+045.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464725495130397970" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa4mxEnRI/AAAAAAAAAfA/V1IYHOpZ0is/s400/Tasmania+045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we woke up and went on a hike.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa4Ntg3uI/AAAAAAAAAe4/vlV2BvMSSVU/s1600/Tasmania+063.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464725488404586210" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa4Ntg3uI/AAAAAAAAAe4/vlV2BvMSSVU/s400/Tasmania+063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The mountains here were unlike any I'd ever seen before. Throughout the hike we saw huge pink granite rocks that make up the mountains. The color was really pretty, especially when the sun was shining (which didn't happen very much while we were there).<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa3ARxUmI/AAAAAAAAAew/oEThXTJH7J4/s1600/Tasmania+065.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464725467618693730" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa3ARxUmI/AAAAAAAAAew/oEThXTJH7J4/s400/Tasmania+065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The hike to Wineglass Bay is supposed to take 1-1.5 hours, but we were a little rushed and did it in 40 minutes. I still managed to take entirely too many pictures of rocks.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa2qEACbI/AAAAAAAAAeo/v_M8w8rXZVI/s1600/Tasmania+075.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464725461655357874" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa2qEACbI/AAAAAAAAAeo/v_M8w8rXZVI/s400/Tasmania+075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More rocks<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa2Di1GeI/AAAAAAAAAeg/oOECAoUzRgI/s1600/Tasmania+081.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464725451315681762" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aa2Di1GeI/AAAAAAAAAeg/oOECAoUzRgI/s400/Tasmania+081.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, it was kind of cloudy when we got to the overlook, so we got an overcast view of Wineglass Bay.<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZSpvqmJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/GLenq4ZjeCo/s1600/Tasmania+089.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464723743583148178" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZSpvqmJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/GLenq4ZjeCo/s400/Tasmania+089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">By the time we made it back down the mountain and had coffee, the sun was shining. Here's a view of the bay from the beach.<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZSAbQWuI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xIibOfF4eDg/s1600/Tasmania+095.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464723732491688674" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZSAbQWuI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xIibOfF4eDg/s400/Tasmania+095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More pinkish rocks<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZRhr54dI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ybXDhIGXv-k/s1600/Tasmania+100.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464723724240019922" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZRhr54dI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ybXDhIGXv-k/s400/Tasmania+100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We left Freycinet and drove south to Port Arthur. Some of the roads were kind of sketchy but Nugent Road beat them all. There were times I seriously doubted we would be able to get the van up all of the hills. We drove for 15-20 minutes before we even saw another car. Both of us were glad to see a completely paved road again.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nugent Road<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZQ-ck-_I/AAAAAAAAAeA/xwk1f9rAEZA/s1600/Tasmania+118.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464723714780494834" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZQ-ck-_I/AAAAAAAAAeA/xwk1f9rAEZA/s400/Tasmania+118.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We got to Port Arthur that afternoon and visited Tasman Arch before going to the historic convict settlement. <br /><br />Tasman Arch<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZQTCb8sI/AAAAAAAAAd4/G3qHMdMp8cI/s1600/Tasmania+120.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464723703128126146" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S9aZQTCb8sI/AAAAAAAAAd4/G3qHMdMp8cI/s400/Tasmania+120.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pics of the convict settlement are coming soon!<br /></div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-30841747853869687372010-04-16T14:24:00.007+10:002010-04-20T20:48:37.722+10:00Palm Cove<div align="center">Our last day in Queensland was supposed to be pretty, but it ended up raining off and on all day. In the morning we tried to go to Trinity Beach, which is a small beach close to where we were staying. Unfortunately, about 15 minutes after we got there it started to rain and we had to leave.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Trinity Beach</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fm5_TnWaI/AAAAAAAAAdw/ZpqFIMHqS1U/s1600/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+172.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586957130652066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fm5_TnWaI/AAAAAAAAAdw/ZpqFIMHqS1U/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+172.JPG" /></a><br />From October through May, people have to share the coastal waters with deadly jellyfish. Nets like these are set up on most of the beaches so people can get in the water during these months without worrying about the stingers.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fm5Iha_nI/AAAAAAAAAdo/Ne-OmSRauAw/s1600/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586942424612466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fm5Iha_nI/AAAAAAAAAdo/Ne-OmSRauAw/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+174.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Stinger net at Palm Cove<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586763877231010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fmuvYaKaI/AAAAAAAAAdY/7RnH4_Blhe4/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+182.JPG" /><br /><div><br />On Thursday afternoon we went to Palm Cove. This is an upscale beach town about 5 minutes north of Clifton Beach. Several different spa places are the main attraction to this area. There are a few shops and restaurants, but I felt it was very overrated. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Shops at Palm Cove<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586752701340530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fmuFv3m3I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/TX8caQ-Tro4/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+183.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />Thick fog hung over the mountains all week long. This is a view of Palm Cove from the pier.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586744969371074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fmto8bHcI/AAAAAAAAAdI/4kifYblcK8A/s400/Cairns+(Mine)+184+-+Copy.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>One more shot of the ocean<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460586933201841714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8fm4mKirjI/AAAAAAAAAdg/HeS9slq7Mws/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+181.JPG" /> </div><div>I will (hopefully) be going to Tasmania this weekend. Of course, I would get sick three days before I'm supposed to go... Charlotte and I will be driving a camper van around the island, so pray we can keep it on the left side of the road. I'm sure there will be lots of interesting things to share when I get back! </div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-50086375352248055582010-04-15T13:39:00.029+10:002010-04-15T21:50:39.867+10:00Frankland Islands (Great Barrier Reef)<div align="center">On Wednesday, we went to the Great Barrier Reef. We took a riverboat cruise to the Frankland Islands, which is a group of uninhabited islands near the reef. The only visitors to these islands are people who take cruises with the company we went with. The weather was supposed to rainy again, but we got really lucky and had a beautiful day.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here I am with my dad on the boat.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLNhenf7I/AAAAAAAAAcw/QwiNc4tNU-U/s1600/l.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204662674653106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLNhenf7I/AAAAAAAAAcw/QwiNc4tNU-U/s400/l.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center"><br />To get to the Frankland Islands, we took a boat down Mulgrave River which opens to the sea. We continued on until we got the the islands. Below is the Mulgrave River and the mountains of the rainforest in the background. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLHwjPyvI/AAAAAAAAAco/h0QJCUvnkqk/s1600/m.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204563641387762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLHwjPyvI/AAAAAAAAAco/h0QJCUvnkqk/s400/m.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is the boat we took. It holds 100 passengers, but there were only 30 the day we went, so we were able to talk to the crew about the reef and islands.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLHQf4uuI/AAAAAAAAAcg/tJh_NtepF-o/s1600/ma.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204555037358818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLHQf4uuI/AAAAAAAAAcg/tJh_NtepF-o/s400/ma.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I had never snorkeled before going to the Great Barrier Reef, but now I love it! It was amazing to see the size and colors of the corals and to reach out and touch them. I got to swim with all kinds of tropical fish, turtles, and octopuses. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />My best look EVER.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204547352441474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLGz3qMoI/AAAAAAAAAcY/TMYojxlYlLc/s400/n.JPG" /> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />My parents didn't want to snorkel, so we also went on a glass bottom boat so they could see the corals.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Mom and her noodle.</div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLGDgDMzI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/6_Alt2H6qEA/s1600/o.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204534368514866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLGDgDMzI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/6_Alt2H6qEA/s400/o.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Dad and his infamous hat.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLFrWQQ4I/AAAAAAAAAcI/ady_3LJDAJ4/s1600/p.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204527884977026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aLFrWQQ4I/AAAAAAAAAcI/ady_3LJDAJ4/s400/p.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The mountains are still visible from the Frankland Islands, which creates a beautiful view.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK4w-lNfI/AAAAAAAAAcA/DD9_FXdzug0/s1600/q.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204306057999858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK4w-lNfI/AAAAAAAAAcA/DD9_FXdzug0/s400/q.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is one of my favorite pics from our trip. I love how the rocks look. </div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK4L7hjAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/iaybN_5qpFs/s1600/r.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204296113064962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK4L7hjAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/iaybN_5qpFs/s400/r.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>The island had plenty of sand, but it was also covered in corals like these. (You can see them on the bottom of the picture with the mountains and ocean.)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK3fhZYiI/AAAAAAAAAbw/pV6jegdAb2E/s1600/s.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204284192317986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK3fhZYiI/AAAAAAAAAbw/pV6jegdAb2E/s400/s.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We saw this crocodile on the riverbank when we were cruising back in to shore.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK263JCcI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Lzvb_PT854A/s1600/t.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204274351409602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK263JCcI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Lzvb_PT854A/s400/t.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>On our drive back to Clifton Beach, I got this shot of sugar cane in front of the mountains. There were lots of sugar cane fields in this area.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK2XRpHsI/AAAAAAAAAbg/UevGm1eqWWc/s1600/u.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460204264798887618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8aK2XRpHsI/AAAAAAAAAbg/UevGm1eqWWc/s400/u.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>This was definitely one of my favorite days in Australia thus far. More beach pics coming soon!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-29533927922939505372010-04-14T08:20:00.007+10:002010-04-14T13:44:59.876+10:00Port Douglas<div align="center">After spending Monday in the rainforest, we decided to go to Port Douglas for the day. Unfortunately, it was a very rainy day. Port Douglas was a cute beach town and had lots of great shops and restaurants. For lunch, we found a great cafe and my parents are now fans of fish 'n' chips.</div><br /><div align="center">This is a lookout point on the way to Port Douglas.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tu_EE6FrI/AAAAAAAAAbY/AxjMISnYJm0/s1600/B.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459751415473378994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tu_EE6FrI/AAAAAAAAAbY/AxjMISnYJm0/s400/B.JPG" /></a><br />This is one of the most popular lookouts in Port Douglas. Too bad it was so rainy :(<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tu-pKKzuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/af3qszNu0ZU/s1600/c.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459751408247688930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tu-pKKzuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/af3qszNu0ZU/s400/c.JPG" /></a><br />Instead of staying in Cairns, we stayed in a villa on Clifton Beach. This is a tiny beach town, about 20 minutes north of Cairns. During the week we saw some beautiful views from our patio (when it wasn't raining!) Here are a few of my favorites.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tug4OVxDI/AAAAAAAAAbI/5p3HfL7hpr0/s1600/d.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750896895640626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tug4OVxDI/AAAAAAAAAbI/5p3HfL7hpr0/s400/d.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TugQQkm_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/XCCHftz4qYg/s1600/e.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750886167583730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TugQQkm_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/XCCHftz4qYg/s400/e.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tufq9_WwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/0Zc0fP1zWtw/s1600/f.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750876157532930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8Tufq9_WwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/0Zc0fP1zWtw/s400/f.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TufP6zH8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/VpXyP_8APCg/s1600/g.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750868896391106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TufP6zH8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/VpXyP_8APCg/s400/g.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />This was a sign on Clifton Beach. I definitely wasn't getting in the water!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TueiIXmNI/AAAAAAAAAao/83q0nzTNbUc/s1600/h.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750856605276370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8TueiIXmNI/AAAAAAAAAao/83q0nzTNbUc/s400/h.JPG" /></a> </div><div>I will post pics of the Great Barrier Reef next!</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-79531778705997602942010-04-10T22:44:00.014+10:002010-04-11T00:25:13.444+10:00Kuranda and Tjapukai Community<div align="center">Welcome to the rain forest! On Easter Sunday I met my parents in Cairns, Australia. This city is in the northeastern part of Australia and is right next to the Great Barrier Reef. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The first place we visited in this area was Kuranda, which is a mountain village. We had planned to get to Kuranda by taking the Kuranda Railway there and the skyrail back. Unfortunately, about a week before our trip, there was a landslide and the train derailed. Needless to say, the train was still out of order, so we used the skyrail both ways. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Barron River</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493972351546722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3WPaf9WI/AAAAAAAAAaY/1k93U5Xnhhk/s400/A.JPG" /> </div><p></p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It rained on and off throughout our day in Kuranda and there was a lot of fog. </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493958904188850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3VdUZj7I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/XBK1Cehg7bY/s400/B.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Mom and Dad on the skyrail</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458502078405194290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B-uE0SsjI/AAAAAAAAAag/ST0qR0Z48QI/s400/Cairns+(Dad%27s)+040.JPG" /><br /><br />The plants were really interesting here. There were a lot of ferns, and many of them grew way up inside the trees.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3U3xfn4I/AAAAAAAAAaI/gLSFQ2yd0PE/s1600/C.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493948825673602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3U3xfn4I/AAAAAAAAAaI/gLSFQ2yd0PE/s400/C.JPG" /></a><br /><br />View of Barron Gorge<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3UeBzOVI/AAAAAAAAAaA/AVwKnapuZVA/s1600/D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493941914745170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3UeBzOVI/AAAAAAAAAaA/AVwKnapuZVA/s400/D.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is Barron Falls. The water level at Barron River was really high when we visited. Even though it's a rain forest, the area had received more rain than average, so the water was very muddy.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3T5ZHonI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/FDreRJWy5Jc/s1600/E.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493932080439922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B3T5ZHonI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/FDreRJWy5Jc/s400/E.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Another shot of Barron Falls<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1fOdOM0I/AAAAAAAAAZw/KTtJL1G0cxc/s1600/F.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458491927690097474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1fOdOM0I/AAAAAAAAAZw/KTtJL1G0cxc/s400/F.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />The actual village of Kuranda was filled with all kinds of shops. Most of them were souvenir shops with boomerangs and didgeridoos in addition to the regular t-shirts. I found this in one of the shops and couldn't believe you can actually buy one.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1eYdGIHI/AAAAAAAAAZo/BC2Ow3EoECI/s1600/G.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458491913194053746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1eYdGIHI/AAAAAAAAAZo/BC2Ow3EoECI/s400/G.JPG" /></a><br /><br />After seeing Kuranda, we went to the Tjupukai (don't ask me how to pronounce it--I still can't) Aboriginal Cultural Park. They danced and showed us how to play the didgeridoo, throw spears and boomerangs, and talked about bush foods their people ate from the rain forest.<br /><br /><br />The Tjupukai dancers<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1dz-9X9I/AAAAAAAAAZg/ptobmvRbuGo/s1600/H.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458491903403974610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1dz-9X9I/AAAAAAAAAZg/ptobmvRbuGo/s400/H.JPG" /></a><br /><br />They picked three people from the audience to come up and dance with them on stage.<br />Lucky me.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1dSutBtI/AAAAAAAAAZY/8oDLkAZqN2k/s1600/I.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458491894477424338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S8B1dSutBtI/AAAAAAAAAZY/8oDLkAZqN2k/s400/I.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>I will post more pics of my time in Queensland soon!</div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-67491200574357525792010-04-01T17:30:00.010+11:002010-04-02T08:33:34.361+11:00Phillip Island<div align="center"> Phillip Island has a lot more to offer than just native wildlife. It is also an incredibly beautiful island full of nature parks and views of the coast.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">This is a view of one of many of Phillip Island's beaches during the day.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBmGOOleI/AAAAAAAAAZI/KRRU5Jr-gPg/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+025.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455057171413636578" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBmGOOleI/AAAAAAAAAZI/KRRU5Jr-gPg/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+025.JPG" border="0" /></a><div align="center"> </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Below you can see the Nobbies. They were formed millions of years ago by volcanic spurts.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBkUH_kCI/AAAAAAAAAZA/apN9qIU4DOE/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+058.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455057140785844258" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBkUH_kCI/AAAAAAAAAZA/apN9qIU4DOE/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+058.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Nobbies is the site of Australia's largest colony of fur seals. Unfortunately, the number of seals you can see peaks from October-December during their mating season. Then, most of the seals leave the rocks at the end of summer. So, we didn't get to see any seals, but the coast was very pretty and we got to see a few penguins in their burrows.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBiOtlwCI/AAAAAAAAAY4/Q0ZXxZbsMnA/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+088.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455057104973185058" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBiOtlwCI/AAAAAAAAAY4/Q0ZXxZbsMnA/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm fascinated by water, so I felt pretty lucky when I caught a huge wave hitting at just the right moment...<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBhxlFrBI/AAAAAAAAAYw/5dluzODGMao/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+092.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455057097152900114" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7RBhxlFrBI/AAAAAAAAAYw/5dluzODGMao/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...And after the wave had crashed...<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_2UAMQoI/AAAAAAAAAYo/lQ4Cj7lulEs/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+094.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455055250967511682" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_2UAMQoI/AAAAAAAAAYo/lQ4Cj7lulEs/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Boardwalk along the Nobbies Centre<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_15EKpAI/AAAAAAAAAYg/GSlxoAXYN-s/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+095.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455055243736425474" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_15EKpAI/AAAAAAAAAYg/GSlxoAXYN-s/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />On the right is a blow hole, which made an awesome sound when the water rushed in.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_1e1MkaI/AAAAAAAAAYY/0E_ppdlrlu0/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+100.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455055236694315426" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_1e1MkaI/AAAAAAAAAYY/0E_ppdlrlu0/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here I am with the whole group that went to Phillip Island. Charlotte is the other American student and her parents came over to visit for the holidays. Laurel, in the front, is her host mum and grew up on the island.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_096CbRI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/W733KwZnyuo/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+110.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455055227856252178" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_096CbRI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/W733KwZnyuo/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the beach before the penguins came in. It was a full moon, so the sky was gorgeous. The rangers said the penguins often stay out at sea when it's a full moon, though, so we didn't get to see quite as many penguins as usual.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_0lUbEBI/AAAAAAAAAYI/O7Nh5n7dH1U/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+117.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455055221256032274" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7Q_0lUbEBI/AAAAAAAAAYI/O7Nh5n7dH1U/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In a few days I will be flying to Cairns, which is in northern Australia, to meet my parents! I'm very excited about seeing them for the first time in over 2 months and getting to see a very different part of Australia than what I've already seen. The internet may be kind of sketchy where we're staying, but I will try to post pics when I can.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-66197017983427445722010-03-31T16:50:00.015+11:002010-03-31T18:28:10.568+11:00Phillip Island Animals<div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Phillip Island. I went with Charlotte (the other American student teacher), her host mum, Laurel (who is actually from Phillip Island), and her parents that are visiting from the U.S. Phillip Island is about a 3 hour drive from where I live in Geelong. If you'd like to get an idea of where Geelong and Phillip Island are located, visit here:<br /><br />http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=106386624811293119141.00048312bbb34c4c0e426<br /><br />Phillip Island is very beautiful and features a variety of animals. The first place we visited was the Koala Conservation Centre. I was able to get a much closer look at the koalas here than I did in Jirrahlinga. This is a male koala. He is kept in a special part of the conservation centre with four female koalas to keep the population steady.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlXjBJ9FI/AAAAAAAAAYA/j74abkf6xdo/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlXjBJ9FI/AAAAAAAAAYA/j74abkf6xdo/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454674291398931538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As you can see, we were able to walk right along the branches and get very close to the koalas.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlW0CFzlI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ia64QnG3mBE/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlW0CFzlI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ia64QnG3mBE/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454674278786387538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a short video of the koala from above climbing on his tree.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkTeze4OI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CWaFvw-cgHg/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+097.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw6AOPNTYfzxcgWQ6Vb49Okg4d2sGZNa1KK97RKUDQZcL-gQRhyPJljcxIgYOyYdXtg81TgHL4c5NHu16_I4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlWYgZcBI/AAAAAAAAAXw/nlgsGZIJl1Q/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+024.JPG"> </a><br /><br />This is a kookaburra, which we also saw in the Koala Centre. I didn't get to hear it's call, but supposedly kookaburras sound like humans laughing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlWYgZcBI/AAAAAAAAAXw/nlgsGZIJl1Q/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LlWYgZcBI/AAAAAAAAAXw/nlgsGZIJl1Q/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454674271397310482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I just happened to notice this prickly guy as we left the koala area. This is an echidna and he was digging away for ants when I saw him.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkVIaETZI/AAAAAAAAAXo/se8qU0gyz10/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkVIaETZI/AAAAAAAAAXo/se8qU0gyz10/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454673150384295314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The signs at the centre said the koalas will scratch and bite you, but I still think they're cuddly...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkUr0JJ3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/dpvJ1SUKaMY/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkUr0JJ3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/dpvJ1SUKaMY/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454673142709036914" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The most sought after animals on Phillip Island are the little penguins (that's their official name--I promise). Each night, at dusk, hundreds of penguins come in from the ocean and go back to their burrows. An area is set up with bleacher seating and lights so people can see the "penguin parade." It was really incredible to watch these tiny penguins waddle up the beach and hills to get to their burrows. <br /><br />Photography wasn't allowed at the penguin parade, but during the day we found some penguins underneath the boardwalk. One penguin stays during the day to guard the burrow while its mate is in the ocean. These were some penguins that stayed behind. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkT45_iDI/AAAAAAAAAXY/RcsZiSyyHJU/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkT45_iDI/AAAAAAAAAXY/RcsZiSyyHJU/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454673129043363890" border="0" /> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkT45_iDI/AAAAAAAAAXY/RcsZiSyyHJU/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+064.JPG"> </a><br />Here is a penguin in its burrow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkTeze4OI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CWaFvw-cgHg/s1600/Phillip+Island,+teaching+097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkTeze4OI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CWaFvw-cgHg/s400/Phillip+Island,+teaching+097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454673122036736226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This picture was actually taken a few weekends ago when I went to Sorrento with Peter, Helen, and Charlotte. We took a ferry from Queenscliff and some dolphins swam beside us as we went. Since the rest of this post was about animals, I thought I'd share this shot, too. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkS3NTLCI/AAAAAAAAAXI/k-iGQPeyR7Q/s1600/Supercats+and+Sorrento+016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S7LkS3NTLCI/AAAAAAAAAXI/k-iGQPeyR7Q/s400/Supercats+and+Sorrento+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454673111407602722" border="0" /></a></div> <br /><div style="text-align: center;">I will have more pictures of Phillip Island soon...get ready for some beautiful water shots!<br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-39116090349874057542010-03-26T13:49:00.019+11:002010-03-28T15:32:54.225+11:00Jirrahlinga<div align="center">The past few weeks have been really busy for me, so I haven't had time to add new posts on here. But, today was the last day of Term 1 and I now have two weeks of holidays! I hope to have lots of new pictures to add during this time. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">A few weekends ago, I went to a place called Jirrahlinga with Charlotte and her host mum, Laurel. Jirrahlinga is Aboriginal for "seek a home for a kangaroo." Injured animals are taken there to be treated and given a safe place to live. We saw all kinds of animals, including lots of birds and reptiles, but most people seem to be more interested in koalas and kangaroos. So, most of my pictures will focus on animals that are typical "Australian" animals. </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I really wanted to get a good shot of the koalas, but they just weren't having it. Apparently they sleep about 18 hours a day because of all the eucalyptus they eat. Sorry, but this was the best I could do...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6wh664yXJI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0YfHvd3DAB4/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770544962395282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6wh664yXJI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0YfHvd3DAB4/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+012.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I've always heard koalas are mean animals, but they still look cuddly, so I thought they were cute.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whz1-afUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/8GgmFeBmikA/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770423384735042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whz1-afUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/8GgmFeBmikA/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+015.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Sleeping away...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whzfNipcI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yq8gyKt038E/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770417274168770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whzfNipcI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yq8gyKt038E/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />This goose tried to storm through a gate to get Charlotte. She was truly terrified!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whykDaasI/AAAAAAAAAVw/DWDe_PFS5h0/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770401393994434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whykDaasI/AAAAAAAAAVw/DWDe_PFS5h0/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+018.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Because Jirrahlinga is an animal sanctuary, they get all kinds of injured animals. They also get orphaned animals. This is where the orphaned kangaroos are kept. They actually sleep in these makeshift pouches.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whyPJ6JUI/AAAAAAAAAVo/xRg5vATNwyU/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770395784095042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whyPJ6JUI/AAAAAAAAAVo/xRg5vATNwyU/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+056.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Baby Kangaroo<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whxrZtUgI/AAAAAAAAAVg/g0A0C1D8lwY/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770386186686978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whxrZtUgI/AAAAAAAAAVg/g0A0C1D8lwY/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+059.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Group of Kangaroos--I always wanted to see a kangaroo and I'm glad I got the chance, but they're really dirty animals. I don't think they're very cute up close. Most of the Australians I've spoken to regard kangaroos about the same way Americans view deer.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whfSZfyBI/AAAAAAAAAVY/Mxln5zt1ONY/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770070237267986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whfSZfyBI/AAAAAAAAAVY/Mxln5zt1ONY/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+060.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The more I looked at them, the more they reminded me of rats. And for those of you that know me very well--you know I'm NOT a fan of varmints.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770054397573186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6wheXZBOEI/AAAAAAAAAVI/a8l0N6Bu_N4/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+064.JPG" /><br /><br />If you look closely, you can see the baby kangaroo in its mother's pouch.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whe69X5FI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/rlEyR7groA0/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770063945294930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whe69X5FI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/rlEyR7groA0/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+062.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Kangaroos hopping around<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwT_uF3eRO4zUweWcFNj1xlKDKiE_gIAVau0lMxUHs5PRMUOgMBaJKQ3_0koO2OLXLFGUXnlydgPQTmnAHuFg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6wheXZBOEI/AAAAAAAAAVI/a8l0N6Bu_N4/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+064.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><br />Emu</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whdsPBrOI/AAAAAAAAAVA/XfeK0iQD100/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+065.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770042812935394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whdsPBrOI/AAAAAAAAAVA/XfeK0iQD100/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+065.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>This is a wombat--another popular "Australian" animal. I also thought it was kind of gross.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whdIyOqtI/AAAAAAAAAU4/2AgTpmsH8g0/s1600/Jirrahling_excursion+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452770033296911058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S6whdIyOqtI/AAAAAAAAAU4/2AgTpmsH8g0/s400/Jirrahling_excursion+081.JPG" /></a><br />Hope you enjoyed the animals! During my first week of holidays, I'm planning to visit Phillip Island, which has a huge colony of penguins. So, hopefully I will have some more pics of little creatures for you soon! </div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-90028612986814629752010-03-16T08:18:00.010+11:002010-03-16T20:48:59.910+11:00Everything Else in Sydney<div align="center"> These guys were out in some form or other almost all weekend trying to sell an Australian CD. Haha...I couldn't resist when they let people get pics with them...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mRhvi7NI/AAAAAAAAAUw/b2m4GcZxlZM/s1600-h/Sydney+043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975419210656978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mRhvi7NI/AAAAAAAAAUw/b2m4GcZxlZM/s400/Sydney+043.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">To be such a large city, Sydney has a huge amount of green space. Many of the very tall buildings have gardens on top of them and on different levels. There are also lots of parks and water.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mRPViBMI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ejfCtoRJ4x0/s1600-h/Sydney+090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975414269707458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mRPViBMI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ejfCtoRJ4x0/s400/Sydney+090.JPG" /></a><br />On Sunday morning we visited some local markets. My favorite was in the Rocks, which is an older, more historic part of the city. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mGbQpVTI/AAAAAAAAAUg/MuEKAyJT-s4/s1600-h/Sydney+092.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975228491879730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mGbQpVTI/AAAAAAAAAUg/MuEKAyJT-s4/s400/Sydney+092.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br />Watson's Bay<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975200049593666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mExTefUI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/CMrN9qNvFmU/s400/Sydney+157.JPG" /><br />While at Watson's Bay, you can see great views of the skyline in Sydney.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975192018882450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mETYzj5I/AAAAAAAAAUI/Qf656XZJLx8/s400/Sydney+158.JPG" /><br /><br />Peter and Helen in front of Sydney's skyline<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975180831700354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mDptktYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/bLkHUndl3zQ/s400/Sydney+159.JPG" /><br />I felt a little left out, so I decided to pretend he was there...<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448973483227595378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56kg1pNwnI/AAAAAAAAAT4/b05rW-UiUw4/s400/Sydney+160.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Darling Harbour at night. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448973452685387762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56kfD3Yp_I/AAAAAAAAATg/89tkjaVgbUs/s400/Sydney+169.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Both of the remaining pictures were taken while I was in the Watson Bay area.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448975214983499234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56mFo7_zeI/AAAAAAAAAUY/P9JgPX3cRVk/s400/Sydney+144.JPG" /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56kgLiR2dI/AAAAAAAAATw/-VOCbf0I790/s1600-h/Sydney+166.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448973471924214226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S56kgLiR2dI/AAAAAAAAATw/-VOCbf0I790/s400/Sydney+166.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center">I have many more pictures from Sydney, but I tried to share only my favorites. This weekend I got to see some Australian animals, so hopefully I will be able to post those soon!</p>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-8612404783222666352010-03-15T16:28:00.006+11:002010-03-15T17:29:12.122+11:00Sydney Beaches<div align="center"> There are several great beaches in the Sydney area. The beach below is Bondi Beach. There is a reality show based on the lifesavers at this beach. We saw some of the cameras while we were there, but luckily nothing worth recording happened.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F-FB0ZCI/AAAAAAAAATQ/OGnv8ls-zOM/s1600-h/Sydney+116+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728794480534562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F-FB0ZCI/AAAAAAAAATQ/OGnv8ls-zOM/s400/Sydney+116+-+Copy.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F9y6YbbI/AAAAAAAAATI/NYYodzTX8ng/s1600-h/Sydney+118+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728789617503666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F9y6YbbI/AAAAAAAAATI/NYYodzTX8ng/s400/Sydney+118+-+Copy.JPG" /></a> The waves weren't too bad the day we were there, but Bondi is known for having some really tough waves. <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F8_AyV0I/AAAAAAAAATA/IEtSP5yp674/s1600-h/Sydney+124.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728775685723970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53F8_AyV0I/AAAAAAAAATA/IEtSP5yp674/s400/Sydney+124.JPG" /></a><br />This is Manly Beach, which is about 7 miles away from Sydney.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53FwS1FrCI/AAAAAAAAASo/twWB-ajyb94/s1600-h/Sydney+195.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728557667068962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53FwS1FrCI/AAAAAAAAASo/twWB-ajyb94/s400/Sydney+195.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I loved all of the houses that were overlooking the beach.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53Fv7t-PBI/AAAAAAAAASg/RxEC-cxukps/s1600-h/Sydney+203.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728551463205906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53Fv7t-PBI/AAAAAAAAASg/RxEC-cxukps/s400/Sydney+203.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Another view of Manly<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53FvS6Jv-I/AAAAAAAAASY/rxFjkUXEiKE/s1600-h/Sydney+204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728540508438498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S53FvS6Jv-I/AAAAAAAAASY/rxFjkUXEiKE/s400/Sydney+204.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-12210778311214026792010-03-12T15:44:00.009+11:002010-03-13T21:00:55.974+11:00Sydney Harbour Bridge<div align="center">Also located in Sydney is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Just like with the Opera House, I ended up taking way too many pictures. The bridge is supposedly the world's widest long-span bridge and it is the tallest steel arch bridge. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">This is the view I had of the bridge at breakfast on my first day in Sydney.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604595290259362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHhEsPv6I/AAAAAAAAASI/53k-HA2Z2gI/s400/Sydney+003.JPG" /> Here I am in front of the bridge. On the right you can see one of the many ferries that transport people to different locations throughout the harbour.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447996875911482946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5ssSz4kTkI/AAAAAAAAASQ/sT64J8i0WYs/s400/Sydney+007.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHYsUasEI/AAAAAAAAARw/oXIeiWJnKkM/s1600-h/Sydney+051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604451308908610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHYsUasEI/AAAAAAAAARw/oXIeiWJnKkM/s400/Sydney+051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The next few pictures were taken as we rode a ferry underneath the bridge. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHXlFxMhI/AAAAAAAAARo/EztkJC7oQBg/s1600-h/Sydney+080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604432188551698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHXlFxMhI/AAAAAAAAARo/EztkJC7oQBg/s400/Sydney+080.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHXLWW-lI/AAAAAAAAARg/DipR1tmoM5s/s1600-h/Sydney+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604425278814802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHXLWW-lI/AAAAAAAAARg/DipR1tmoM5s/s400/Sydney+081.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHCUtvd5I/AAAAAAAAARY/U4O2YMkgrKQ/s1600-h/Sydney+083.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604067015554962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHCUtvd5I/AAAAAAAAARY/U4O2YMkgrKQ/s400/Sydney+083.JPG" /></a> </div><div>The bridge and the opera house<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHBhS68hI/AAAAAAAAARQ/JS-hzfy9OUo/s1600-h/Sydney+086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604053212852754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHBhS68hI/AAAAAAAAARQ/JS-hzfy9OUo/s400/Sydney+086.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are some Australian flags on top of the bridge. One of the things I've noticed since being in Australia is how much more common it is for Americans to display American flags than it is for Australians to display <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Australian</span> flags. I've never been in a classroom in the U.S. that doesn't have an American flag, but none of the classrooms here have Australian flags. Also, there is no pledge to the Australian flag--or at least no one I've talked to remembers it very well. <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHAmeF4KI/AAAAAAAAARA/vCS5RPfCX-I/s1600-h/Sydney+187.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604037422014626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHAmeF4KI/AAAAAAAAARA/vCS5RPfCX-I/s400/Sydney+187.JPG" /></a><br />On our last day in Sydney, we had a great seafood lunch. We ate outside on the patio and this was our view of the bridge.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHACaIBaI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/CE0M6WphLEw/s1600-h/Sydney+211.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604027741701538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5nHACaIBaI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/CE0M6WphLEw/s400/Sydney+211.JPG" /></a><br />I promise I didn't spend all of my time in Sydney taking pictures of the opera house and the bridge. I'll post some pictures of some of the beaches and markets we visited soon. <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-84712661599328189192010-03-10T08:41:00.009+11:002010-03-10T22:08:38.604+11:00Sydney Opera House<div align="center">This Monday was Labour Day in Victoria (states in Australia determine their own public holidays, so other states may celebrate it at a different time). For the long weekend, I got the amazing opportunity to go to Sydney. Peter and Helen served as great tour guides and I got to see a great deal of the city. I was definitely exhausted when we got back to Geelong. I don't know that I've ever been on so many forms of transportation in such a short amount of time: car, plane, bus, train, ferry, monorail, light rail, and LOTS of walking. I really fell in love with this city. If you ever get the chance to go to Australia, make sure you stop in Sydney. The one place I wanted to visit most when I found out I was placed in Australia was Sydney's Opera House. I remember seeing a picture of it in elementary school and dreaming that I would get to visit it one day. I feel VERY lucky this dream came true. I will post other pictures of Sydney later, but this post will focus on the Opera House</div><br /><div align="center">We left Geelong very early in the morning and actually had breakfast in Sydney. I got a few pictures in front of the Opera House while no one was around. You'll see in later pics how rare this chance really was.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBraxa-xI/AAAAAAAAAQw/r85FGJZPen0/s1600-h/Sydney+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753751016340242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBraxa-xI/AAAAAAAAAQw/r85FGJZPen0/s400/Sydney+008.JPG" /></a><br />While Peter and Helen have been to Sydney several times before, they had never taken a tour of the Opera House. We went on the one hour tour and got to learn all about how it was designed and built. This is a view from the inside (the Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen through the windows).<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBjcK81DI/AAAAAAAAAQo/f2Qaupk-_ZU/s1600-h/Sydney+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753613952898098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBjcK81DI/AAAAAAAAAQo/f2Qaupk-_ZU/s400/Sydney+021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBisT6XYI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JUGleWdsm84/s1600-h/Sydney+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753601105583490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBisT6XYI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JUGleWdsm84/s400/Sydney+022.JPG" /></a><br />This is the Concert Hall--the largest hall in the Opera House. I couldn't take pictures inside the other halls because they were preparing for productions.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBhDsDarI/AAAAAAAAAQY/YSmEWiCAi5g/s1600-h/Sydney+029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753573021117106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBhDsDarI/AAAAAAAAAQY/YSmEWiCAi5g/s400/Sydney+029.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The Opera House! You can see there were more people out in the afternoon.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBgjNyM5I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/B5Ri5vWQ-D4/s1600-h/Sydney+049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753564304225170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBgjNyM5I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/B5Ri5vWQ-D4/s400/Sydney+049.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBf3QZQMI/AAAAAAAAAQI/snGJorquKqM/s1600-h/Sydney+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753552504012994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBf3QZQMI/AAAAAAAAAQI/snGJorquKqM/s400/Sydney+056.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Another view--sorry, I'm kind of obsessed with it.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBDqixVdI/AAAAAAAAAQA/TSnhTfTHSkc/s1600-h/Sydney+067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753068055090642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBDqixVdI/AAAAAAAAAQA/TSnhTfTHSkc/s400/Sydney+067.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is a view of the harbour from inside the Opera House.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBC30zpyI/AAAAAAAAAP4/tTVt9wTJzQk/s1600-h/Sydney+071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753054440531746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBC30zpyI/AAAAAAAAAP4/tTVt9wTJzQk/s400/Sydney+071.JPG" /></a><br />We took several ferries while in Sydney and I think I took pictures of the Opera House every time we went by it. So, you can see it from pretty much every angle...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBCLztd9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/dgvI3NDo-f0/s1600-h/Sydney+074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753042624772050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBCLztd9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/dgvI3NDo-f0/s400/Sydney+074.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBBQync9I/AAAAAAAAAPo/cif9bw_Ltmg/s1600-h/Sydney+084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753026782491602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBBQync9I/AAAAAAAAAPo/cif9bw_Ltmg/s400/Sydney+084.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBAoE4JmI/AAAAAAAAAPg/K5EUmVstQCA/s1600-h/Sydney+191.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446753015853229666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5bBAoE4JmI/AAAAAAAAAPg/K5EUmVstQCA/s400/Sydney+191.JPG" /></a><br />Not only did I get to see the Opera House all weekend long and take a tour of it, I also got to see a live performance of Benjamin Britten's <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream</em>. While planning out my trip, I decided I couldn't resist seeing a performance while I was in Sydney. I was going to get a cheaper seat, but thanks to my parents, I had an awesome seat for the matinee on Saturday afternoon. My trip to Australia wouldn't have happened without my parents (or I would be in a HUGE amount of debt), but this was beyond anything I expected and I'm very thankful to them for it. The opera was amazing, but obviously I wasn't allowed to take any photographs while there. If you'd like a glimpse of what I got to experience, check it out here:</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2kdwGS-05A">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2kdwGS-05A</a></div><div> </div><div> I will have many more pics of Sydney up very soon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-4279659988175896072010-03-09T11:11:00.009+11:002010-03-09T17:48:16.512+11:00Bellaire Primary School<div align="center">Last Monday I was asked by the Middles Unit (Grades 3-4) at Bellaire Primary School to accompany the students on a trip into Geelong. The students in these grades have been learning about the history of their city and got to go on an "excursion" to learn some more about it. I can't post pictures of the students on here because I would have to get their parents' permission. But, I wanted to show some stuff that is going on at school, as well as my travels. </div><br /><div align="center">This is the Hitchcock Memorial Bandstand in Johnstone Park.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTVFZ6kdI/AAAAAAAAAPY/WW10Ax16wus/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446421314811892178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTVFZ6kdI/AAAAAAAAAPY/WW10Ax16wus/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+006.JPG" /></a><br />Here are the students around an aboriginal sculpture in Johnstone Park. Don't you love their hats?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTUcBkcnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/5QXubFxIiWQ/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446421303703925362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTUcBkcnI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/5QXubFxIiWQ/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+009.JPG" /></a> On the waterfront in Geelong <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTBtfxVQI/AAAAAAAAAPI/MjyQcvTerDQ/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446420981976487170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTBtfxVQI/AAAAAAAAAPI/MjyQcvTerDQ/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+020.JPG" /></a><br />This carousel was originally powered by steam. While that's not the main source anymore, there are times when it is still ran by steam. The carousel is located right on the waterfront, making it a very popular stop for kids.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTA5OTJHI/AAAAAAAAAPA/G5gn43PE7_w/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446420967944561778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTA5OTJHI/AAAAAAAAAPA/G5gn43PE7_w/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+032.JPG" /></a><br />And I'm definitely still a kid....<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTAL4y38I/AAAAAAAAAO4/OyKi2HkT2uc/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+076A.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446420955774771138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WTAL4y38I/AAAAAAAAAO4/OyKi2HkT2uc/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+076A.jpg" /></a><br />I'd seen several bollards along the waterfront before the excursion, but I hadn't seen this set yet. Those of you who know much about my family will know why I HAD to get a picture of them.<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WS_D0faaI/AAAAAAAAAOo/tylPgMKkXuo/s1600-h/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446420936429365666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S5WS_D0faaI/AAAAAAAAAOo/tylPgMKkXuo/s400/Middles+Excursion+and+Peter%27s+B-Day+082.JPG" /></a> I went on another excursion today to a local vet with my group of students. The kids at Bellaire are wonderful and I'm really enjoying the opportunity to teach them. Since I can't post pictures of the students, I'll leave you a link to the school site if you would like to find out more about where I'm teaching.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.bellaireps.vic.edu.au/index.html">http://www.bellaireps.vic.edu.au/index.html</a></div><div></div><div></div><div>The junior unit is also having an expo night on Thursday. Two of the teachers in the unit made a video for the junior blog about the expo night. The beginning is pretty cute and you can see what the kids are up to at school (and of course there are Australian accents if you're interested in hearing those).</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://s951.photobucket.com/albums/ad359/aathomas_2010/?action=view&current=JuniorBlog.flv">http://s951.photobucket.com/albums/ad359/aathomas_2010/?action=view&current=JuniorBlog.flv</a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>This is a four day school week for schools in Victoria, as Monday was Labour Day. On the long weekend I went to Sydney with Peter and Helen. I will be posting pictures of that trip VERY soon!</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-63134722676534993892010-02-23T14:10:00.013+11:002010-02-23T21:06:47.924+11:00London Bridge has fallen down<div align="center">We were VERY busy on Sunday. We started the day by going to a small chocolate shop. Then we went to a little cheese factory. So, I was pretty full from all of the taste testing. Then, Richard took us to the Arch. It was a beautiful day to go sight seeing and I got some of the most beautiful pics I've taken since I've been in Australia.<br /></div><br /><p align="center">The Arch <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272262560130370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NISzAVJUI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/InzcOR2VoWo/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+107.JPG" /></p><p align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272254938456274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NISWnLoNI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ZmKtLMSxsU4/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+109.JPG" /></p><p align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272243843835554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NIRtSBJqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ak_EZ5nOeOE/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+111.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Coastline near the Arch <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272232725612802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NIRD3OiQI/AAAAAAAAAN4/J5qO7YkrI30/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+114.JPG" /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">After seeing the Arch, we went to the London Bridge. In the picture below, it looks like the bridge stands alone in the water. However, this is a recent development. About 15-20 years ago, the detached portion was attached to the part of rock on the left. At that time, you could actually walk out on the bridge. Then, one day, the first arch collapsed into the water. Amazingly, no one was injured, but there were two people stranded on the part left in the water. To make it even more interesting--the two people stranded included a man and his mistress! His wife found out he was having an affair only because he and his mistress had to be rescued by helicopter! It is predicted that the other arch will eventually collapse, as well. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441271786658376754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NH3GIgrDI/AAAAAAAAANw/rowkiNsfTLU/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+116.JPG" /> </div><br /><div align="center">Coastline near London Bridge<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441271779086842786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NH2p7UO6I/AAAAAAAAANo/2d2WlovfJpM/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+117.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">The Grotto <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441271768114081602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NH2BDNL0I/AAAAAAAAANg/bJMm1XJM2xE/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+123.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441271760588284546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NH1lA6ooI/AAAAAAAAANY/cewzED64mYk/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+124.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441271753249553666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NH1JrOfQI/AAAAAAAAANQ/h6nEsd3mgM0/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+125.JPG" /> For whatever reason I loved the loch-cow monster at the cheese factory.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441272274055984786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4NITd1J9pI/AAAAAAAAAOY/6PCDWXQTs_E/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+106.JPG" /><br />After all of the sight seeing, we had a beach picnic and went strawberry picking. I'm pretty sure they were the best strawberries I've ever tasted....and I definitely ate more than I picked!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441375904702464626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4OmjkEpAnI/AAAAAAAAAOg/4YuHwrE7aJk/s400/strawberry+picking.jpg" /><br />I had a great weekend and have been busy teaching this week. I was observed by my supervisor from Deakin University today and it went really well! I'm planning to make some Kentucky food for my host family this weekend, so keep your fingers crossed that it's not a disaster...haha. Hopefully I'll have more pics to add soon!</div></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-80351894608551481812010-02-22T11:19:00.011+11:002010-02-22T20:42:42.650+11:00Loch Ard<div align="center">After visiting the Twelve Apostles, Richard took us to Loch Ard. This is the site of one of the most famous shipwrecks along the Shipwreck Trail. The Loch Ard was a ship travelling in 1878 from England to Melbourne. It ended up sinking in about 15 minutes. One of the crewmen floated on a lifeboat into the gorge. He heard an 18 year old woman screaming, so he swam back out for her. She was unable to swim, but had held onto a spar for four hours. They struggled for an hour in the water, but finally made it to shore. They rested in a cave and used some washed up brandy to recover. Then, the man climbed up the huge cliff to safety and found help. (This was the story I was told, anyway...)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Loch Ard</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuYqeP63I/AAAAAAAAANI/16fRIhECprM/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440891932325702514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuYqeP63I/AAAAAAAAANI/16fRIhECprM/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+077.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Notice the cave on the right!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuYA2T9ZI/AAAAAAAAANA/MYr1RUapy_Y/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440891921152341394" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuYA2T9ZI/AAAAAAAAANA/MYr1RUapy_Y/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+078.JPG" /></a><br /><br />With Charlotte<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuXrFvp7I/AAAAAAAAAM4/txj00A2MKos/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+079.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440891915311490994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuXrFvp7I/AAAAAAAAAM4/txj00A2MKos/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+079.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Huge stalactites<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuW1zxmBI/AAAAAAAAAMw/wBQyS1x-QKE/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440891901009041426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuW1zxmBI/AAAAAAAAAMw/wBQyS1x-QKE/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+082.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Cave at Loch Ard (we think it's probably the one the shipwreck survivors slept in)<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuWUYpmLI/AAAAAAAAAMo/RvnjZ_E0K9w/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440891892036901042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HuWUYpmLI/AAAAAAAAAMo/RvnjZ_E0K9w/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+086.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So of course we had to venture in!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOBFoORAI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lPvxy917FmI/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+092.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440856342926345218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOBFoORAI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lPvxy917FmI/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+092.JPG" /></a><br /><br />From inside the cave<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOAvmBPWI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RmWL_wP2EAQ/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440856337011522914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOAvmBPWI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RmWL_wP2EAQ/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+094.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOAFJdofI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/A6Mh-jbBhZA/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440856325617459698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HOAFJdofI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/A6Mh-jbBhZA/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+100.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The cliff the crew member supposedly climbed...<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HN_XVxIAI/AAAAAAAAAMI/qYfa-gptrf8/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440856313321037826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4HN_XVxIAI/AAAAAAAAAMI/qYfa-gptrf8/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+102.JPG" /></a> I loved hearing the story of this place and climbing the rocks into the cave. I have some beautiful pictures of The Arch, London Bridge, and the Grotto coming very soon!</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-66251809790572509752010-02-21T20:15:00.010+11:002010-02-21T21:46:38.806+11:00Port Campbell and the Twelvish Apostles<div align="center"></div><div align="center">I just got back from a FABULOUS weekend at Port Campbell. Peter's brother, Richard, lives here with his family. Port Campbell is a quaint little ocean town located on the Great Ocean Road. The picture below shows half of the town.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_gTKbeUI/AAAAAAAAAL4/CaesCy2QHpI/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+132.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440629280228473154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_gTKbeUI/AAAAAAAAAL4/CaesCy2QHpI/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+132.JPG" /></a><br />There are some great sites located near Port Campbell. The largest attraction to the Port Campbell National Park is the "Twelve Apostles". These are huge rock stacks that rise out of the ocean water. Apparently there used to be twelve....but erosion has taken a toll on them and there aren't that many anymore. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The coastline through here is also known as the "shipwreck coastline" because of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">treacherous</span> waves and their reputation for causing shipwrecks. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_fwEyUNI/AAAAAAAAALw/oqu0r0By3eA/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440629270809563346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_fwEyUNI/AAAAAAAAALw/oqu0r0By3eA/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+033.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I asked why the Twelve Apostles received their name and I was told it was pretty much just because they stood out so much in the water and there were twelve of them.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_fG1_4xI/AAAAAAAAALo/3QWhAiQYJbY/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440629259741684498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_fG1_4xI/AAAAAAAAALo/3QWhAiQYJbY/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+038.JPG" /></a><br />You can see some of the Apostles here. The pile of rocks in the forefront is the latest casualty of the Apostles.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_esB8qzI/AAAAAAAAALg/so8iDA8s1Ok/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440629252544047922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D_esB8qzI/AAAAAAAAALg/so8iDA8s1Ok/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+054.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here I am with Jess in front of some of the Apostles. She hates hugs, so I decided to torture her...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7fcubUCI/AAAAAAAAAK4/uYfBPq7x-K4/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440624867568996386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7fcubUCI/AAAAAAAAAK4/uYfBPq7x-K4/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+058.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7fH-OG-I/AAAAAAAAAKw/N2IDn1iQD3M/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440624861998095330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7fH-OG-I/AAAAAAAAAKw/N2IDn1iQD3M/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+063.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />An Apostle<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7eprQZOI/AAAAAAAAAKo/iHSGPVQAsKY/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+065.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440624853865489634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7eprQZOI/AAAAAAAAAKo/iHSGPVQAsKY/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+065.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here I am with my host family--Jess, Sam, Helen, and Peter.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7eEdaptI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5-bGmEg-quk/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440624843875329746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7eEdaptI/AAAAAAAAAKg/5-bGmEg-quk/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+070.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>Here is the whole Weston crew! Richard and his family were great tour guides.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7dveaPDI/AAAAAAAAAKY/4dBcrKX8ZK4/s1600-h/Port+Campbell+and+etc+074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440624838242352178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S4D7dveaPDI/AAAAAAAAAKY/4dBcrKX8ZK4/s400/Port+Campbell+and+etc+074.JPG" /></a> I had WAY too many pics to put in one blog post, so stay tuned for more. We also visited Loch Ard, which is the site of a famous shipwreck, the Arch, London Bridge (well...what's left of it), and the Grotto. They will be up soon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-83679638031673610562010-02-13T20:29:00.009+11:002010-02-18T21:13:38.954+11:00Treetop Walk<div align="center">After surviving the camping trip in the Otways, Blake and Chris decided to take us to see some other great sights in the area.</div><br /><div align="center"> A piece of advice: DON'T TRUST A TOM TOM! Blake's Tomtom swore this was a real road and that our destination was 50 more meters. Who would have thought Blake's ax would actually come in handy....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439478027608088082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zock8fXhI/AAAAAAAAAKI/rfmGnQOwOyM/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+102.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> The Otways meeting the ocean (look really hard)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439478020422400178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zocKLSeLI/AAAAAAAAAKA/hRO8jtBLXyg/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+103.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Finally, we made it to the Otway Fly Treetop Walk. This is a huge walkway made of steel and located in a temperate rainforest. This is the Boomerang Tree, which is on the path to the steel walkway.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znGfwAv9I/AAAAAAAAAJw/huqoLoUTDm4/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+115.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439476548744822738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znGfwAv9I/AAAAAAAAAJw/huqoLoUTDm4/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+115.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There is also a Prehistoric Path which is a big fern gully. You can find some random dinosaurs too...<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znFuqV6zI/AAAAAAAAAJo/TiwPSHl_jqE/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+124.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439476535567706930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znFuqV6zI/AAAAAAAAAJo/TiwPSHl_jqE/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+124.JPG" /></a><br />This is called "the Big tree." Someone went all out to name it.....<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znFJGDP9I/AAAAAAAAAJg/xR-zi-xlQEA/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+125.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439476525483376594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znFJGDP9I/AAAAAAAAAJg/xR-zi-xlQEA/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+125.JPG" /></a><br />The treetop walk is 25 meters above the forest floor. There are only 3 other steel canopy walks in the world and they're all in Australia! This one has only been open since 2003.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znETW8s_I/AAAAAAAAAJY/7apkdQkCrjI/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+127.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439476511058736114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znETW8s_I/AAAAAAAAAJY/7apkdQkCrjI/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+127.JPG" /></a><br />This is the Spiral Tower, which is 47 meters above the forest floor and a great observation point.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znDsVMQMI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Exturx0EJ7s/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+135.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439476500582383810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3znDsVMQMI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Exturx0EJ7s/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+135.JPG" /></a><br />More trees....it really felt like we were just walking on top of them.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeEhHm3mI/AAAAAAAAAIg/qFlyr0Gv9ao/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+138.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439466619147837026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeEhHm3mI/AAAAAAAAAIg/qFlyr0Gv9ao/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+138.JPG" /></a><br />The steel walkways as seen from the Spiral Tower<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeD2Up1TI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3e2N2hG_Iik/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439466607659832626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeD2Up1TI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3e2N2hG_Iik/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+141.JPG" /></a><br />This is the forest version of a wishing well. Situated away from the walkway, people toss change on it and try to make it land on top of this huge stump. Even25 meters up you can see heaps (haha...Australians love this word) of coins all over the forest floor. I saw a sign that said they donated all of the money to some kind of children's hospital or something.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeDOZ9EFI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/IMX-00WfebA/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+149.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439466596944646226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeDOZ9EFI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/IMX-00WfebA/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+149.JPG" /></a><br />Youngs Creek<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeCnfk7-I/AAAAAAAAAII/SLq8vw702vE/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439466586499248098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeCnfk7-I/AAAAAAAAAII/SLq8vw702vE/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+157.JPG" /></a><br />Underneath the walkway<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeCDWmWrI/AAAAAAAAAIA/LHQsX9t16a8/s1600-h/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+158.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439466576797915826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S3zeCDWmWrI/AAAAAAAAAIA/LHQsX9t16a8/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+158.JPG" /></a> </div><div>This hike wasn't as adventurous as the previous day's hike, but there also weren't any machetes involved. It was great to see a different part of Australia and remember that it's not all beaches. I have been very busy at school, but I will try to post some things about what I'm doing there and my upcoming weekend trip to Port Campbell. I hope you're not snowed in! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-32438223666407350212010-02-07T21:41:00.013+11:002010-02-09T18:54:58.951+11:00Camping in the Otways<div align="center">Charlotte (the student teacher from Auburn) lives in a host family that has a 23 year old son. Chris has been very nice and included us in several things with his friends. This weekend, he and a friend took us to the Otway National Park. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">A view of the Otways<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435458014881261426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26gRCiMJ3I/AAAAAAAAAHw/pSFztPOBWP4/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+097.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Chris' friend, Blake, came very prepared. Among other things, he brought a compass, map, ax, machete, rope, survival kit, bow and arrows, and several knives. </div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435457997425987090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26gQBghzhI/AAAAAAAAAHg/2PmBzGmegSc/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+017.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">After FINALLY setting up Chris' tent.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435458009051371874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26gQs0PGWI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ubxNHSdv5Fk/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+013.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">When asked if I wanted to go camping and hiking, I assumed we would be on hiking trails. WRONG. Blake and company had other plans. Instead, we literally went bushwalking. We went down a very steep hill. Chris led with his favorite new toy--the machete. The rest of us just tried not to roll down on top of each other...although that did happen several times...<br /></div><div align="center"><div><div>Chris enjoyed his job a little too much.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435455985926001986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26ea8Fj1UI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/2nAyr5nj4UQ/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+042.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Once we reached the bottom, there were some really pretty views.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435455996024007042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26ebhtHKYI/AAAAAAAAAHY/mcSqKtXbJTc/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+034.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />Charlotte--those arms actually pushed an entire tree over. Luckily, no one was in its way. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435455972065801058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26eaIdB82I/AAAAAAAAAHI/BHhUarVD4lw/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+048.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><div><br />I totally ended up stepping in the creek while crossing on the stones, which made for a soggy climb back.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435465816639548978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26nXKWULjI/AAAAAAAAAH4/l6ptTosF3zo/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+062.JPG" /> <div><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435451880598300434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26ar-jKZxI/AAAAAAAAAGw/voHnRMplw-0/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+065.JPG" /> </div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435451869034648146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26arTeLElI/AAAAAAAAAGo/FfVHxZqwf_I/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+075.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>On the way back up, it was too steep for us to walk, so Blake and Chris tied a rope for us to use as we climbed.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435451863447408354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26aq-qEjuI/AAAAAAAAAGg/RbvjIkGqD6Y/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+085.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>My favorite pair of tennis shoes :( The water and terrain weren't kind to them. Right after I took this picture, I pulled them off and found a leech on my ankle. Chris had to use a lighter to burn it off. Good times! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435451853039391522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26aqX4m0yI/AAAAAAAAAGY/e7y2LH_TZnI/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+086.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is near our campsite. As you can see here, some of the forest has been logged pretty heavily. We also saw a wallaby in this area, but it was too fast for me to get a picture.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435451844192070914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26ap27PbQI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/AoXja0Q6pIE/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+089.JPG" /> End of the day....we had a great campfire and stars, but neither showed up well in pictures. One thing that is interesting about the stars is that I get to see a whole different set of them since Australia is in the southern hemisphere. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435455935743574146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26eYBJIwII/AAAAAAAAAG4/kolZVA6sOZg/s400/Bushwalking+in+the+Otways+094.JPG" /> </div><br /><br /><div>All of these pictures were taken on Saturday. Sunday's adventures in the Otways are soon to come! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-70557965610733152432010-02-04T21:39:00.005+11:002010-02-07T21:14:57.895+11:00Fair Haven/More Beaches<div align="center"> Last week, the Westons (my host family) took me to Fair Haven and a little beach called Hutt Gully. Both are located on the Great Ocean Road.</div><div align="center"><br />Hutt Gully is a really small beach and there weren't very many people around.</div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435437878535650018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26N88zR-uI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HmIKWl9CRj4/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+001.JPG" /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">Signs like this are found all along the Great Ocean Road. Every now and then I still forget and try to get in the right side of the car....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435438384898551250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26OabJmrdI/AAAAAAAAAGI/yDoII4y7ZbU/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+007.JPG" /> </p><p align="center"><br />This is a view of the cliff next to the beach at Hutt Gully.</p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435436994093579938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NJd_2_qI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/2BteEBwVF1U/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+017.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">There were more people at Fair Haven, but it was still beautiful. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NLP6W4pI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ZpkCQNGFaKM/s1600-h/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435437024672146066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NLP6W4pI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ZpkCQNGFaKM/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lighthouse in Fair Haven<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NK8eSM3I/AAAAAAAAAFo/AytW4WkY_Uk/s1600-h/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435437019454124914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NK8eSM3I/AAAAAAAAAFo/AytW4WkY_Uk/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+011.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is Jess, Peter's daughter. She's been nice enough to let me stay in her room while I'm in Australia.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NKRBTV8I/AAAAAAAAAFg/0Xapekd4XOY/s1600-h/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435437007789840322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NKRBTV8I/AAAAAAAAAFg/0Xapekd4XOY/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Here is Sam, Peter's son. He LOVES to make fun of my accent...but I just dish it right back...<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NJ5PuYFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/9V5ojIeVZF4/s1600-h/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435437001407881298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S26NJ5PuYFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/9V5ojIeVZF4/s400/Fair+Haven--1-31-10+014.JPG" /></a> The water was icy, but it was a really warm day, so I had a great time at the beach. I just got back from a camping trip, so I will post non-Ocean pics soon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-66001493919234773702010-01-31T17:18:00.006+11:002010-01-31T22:14:00.498+11:00Saturday at Torquay<div align="center">Last Wednesday I started my placement at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bellaire</span> Primary School. The first three days consisted of professional development, unit planning, and time for teachers to get their classrooms ready. I have been placed in a class of 1st and 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> grade students. I'm really excited about this age group and my cooperating teacher. Mrs. Barry has taught for several years and all of the teachers at the school say she has a great way with the kids and they all love her. Tomorrow will be the very first day of school for students, so wish me luck!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">On Saturday, I got the chance to go to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Torquay</span>. This is a little beach town that's known as the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. A student teacher from Auburn University has also been placed at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bellaire</span> Primary. She is staying with a family that has a son our age, so we joined him and his friends at the beach.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Torquay</span> Beach</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432852434959827938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VegU7lg-I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/6Wb7sK8XcI8/s400/Torquay--1-30+014.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This is another shot of the beach. If you look closely, there are people cliff diving from the huge rock. We were told they were mostly locals...but they're definitely braver than me.</div><div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432852423249265858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VefpTkhMI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-M-9-p8NaFo/s400/Torquay--1-30+016.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I took this pic mostly for my brother because he was obsessed with John Deere when he was little. I never thought I would see a John Deere tractor on the beach in AUSTRALIA... </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VehhMMbZI/AAAAAAAAAEg/I_HTEq5Nnaw/s1600-h/Torquay--1-30+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432852455430581650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VehhMMbZI/AAAAAAAAAEg/I_HTEq5Nnaw/s400/Torquay--1-30+001.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> A cliff next to the beach</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432850738277661906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc9kTCPNI/AAAAAAAAAD4/_-hMLCbkUm0/s400/Torquay--1-30+025.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /> I actually got in the water this time! It was really cold, but the waves were great!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VegyEyU2I/AAAAAAAAAEY/4U-L792cUPU/s1600-h/Torquay--1-30+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432852442783044450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2VegyEyU2I/AAAAAAAAAEY/4U-L792cUPU/s400/Torquay--1-30+012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>This is Charlotte (the student teacher from Auburn) and Chris (her host mum's son) and his friends.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc-3bKBTI/AAAAAAAAAEA/x127jA-qR1Q/s1600-h/Torquay--1-30+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432850760591869234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc-3bKBTI/AAAAAAAAAEA/x127jA-qR1Q/s400/Torquay--1-30+021.JPG" /></a><br />More ocean pics: </div><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc9LKDnWI/AAAAAAAAADw/TMDjjYPEOwA/s1600-h/Torquay--1-30+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432850731529117026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc9LKDnWI/AAAAAAAAADw/TMDjjYPEOwA/s400/Torquay--1-30+031.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc8WqhnXI/AAAAAAAAADo/W_kaKNn-0p8/s1600-h/Torquay--1-30+034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432850717438221682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S2Vc8WqhnXI/AAAAAAAAADo/W_kaKNn-0p8/s400/Torquay--1-30+034.JPG" /></a><br />Now that I have officially started student teaching, it will be harder to post new pics. But, I will try to add as much as I can. Hope these pics have warmed you up a bit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960707650703720803.post-63988741963593251322010-01-26T17:36:00.004+11:002010-01-26T18:15:27.934+11:00Geelong West and fireworks on the Waterfront<div align="center">Yesterday Peter had to go into West <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geelong</span> and do some work at his optometry practice. So, I went along to see this end of town. This is the older part of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geelong</span> and it's filled with little boutiques and coffee <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">shops</span>. These shops are typically small businesses owned by local members of the community. I really liked a lot of the shops and there were great sales on for Australia Day and kids going back to school.</div><br /><div align="center">Below is a picture of part of the main strip of West <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geelong</span>.</div><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QrguKWnI/AAAAAAAAADg/OorMZSEkhmg/s1600-h/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430937277847722610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QrguKWnI/AAAAAAAAADg/OorMZSEkhmg/s400/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+006.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">The Town Hall is right in the middle of all the shops and cafes.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QqodxDeI/AAAAAAAAADY/EupMmojN5UM/s1600-h/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430937262746570210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QqodxDeI/AAAAAAAAADY/EupMmojN5UM/s400/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+009.JPG" /></a><br />Later in the day Peter and Helen took me to the Waterfront. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Geelong</span> had a firework show to celebrate Australia Day, which is similar to our 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July. Helen is the vice principal at the school I will be at and she and her family offered to act as an interim host family for me until a permanent placement could be found. However, last night they invited me to stay with them for the entirety of my trip. They are a great family, so I was very excited about this. Here is a picture of Peter and Helen at the Waterfront. </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QqbOs_nI/AAAAAAAAADQ/UiVxdpu4KMU/s1600-h/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430937259193728626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QqbOs_nI/AAAAAAAAADQ/UiVxdpu4KMU/s400/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Here are some boats in the bay before the firework display.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QpKaKI7I/AAAAAAAAADA/aE5VIlYl3is/s1600-h/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430937237498504114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QpKaKI7I/AAAAAAAAADA/aE5VIlYl3is/s400/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+015.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430937243765634322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wvJFSbRrYOI/S16QphwW9RI/AAAAAAAAADI/RQ1rqU5MVnU/s400/Geelong+West+and+fireworks+013.JPG" /><br /><br /><div></div><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Below is a video of part of the firework display for Australia Day.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIcwukjfUBNlNNS7PwDK6EGX-mX3rLUggh_SCwLV-MQaNon7LA8aDqPEkNbA7YkK02sKreS2UUqgaPwKAE6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br />Happy Australia Day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p></div><br /></div>Katishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146309182383955060noreply@blogger.com0