elbourne was our first stop in Australia, where we had introductory
lectures on Australia's people, education system, political system and
field trips in the area.
One never-to-be forgotten field visit was to Phillip Island and the
Penguin Parade. Before sunset, we walked through a large seagull
habitat, where some were nesting and some were with their young. Then
after sunset, it was to an adjacent area to await the arrival of the
fairy penguins that had been out to sea, feeding all day...or maybe
up to a week. They came by the hundreds with their stomachs full of
small fish to feed their chicks, who were impatiently waiting in their
burrows. Droves of buses come to this area nightly, and there is now a
limit of 3,000 visitors at a time.
Fairy Penguins returning to their nests after
a day at sea, Phillip Island near Melbourne.
Another highlight while staying in Melbourne was attending a
production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Regent Theatre, starring
Topol, who had performed his role over 2,000 times and was retiring the
following week. Needless to say, it was excellent. Melbourne is a very
progressive city with numerous sports complexes; an outstanding
Victorian Arts Centre, which includes the National Gallery, three
theaters, the Melbourne Concert Hall and the Performing Arts Museum with
the National Ballet Centre; and Victorian College of the Arts adjacent.
On Nov. 13, we flew to Alice Springs where we stayed three nights and
found temperatures over 100 degrees. At Alice Springs, we had excursions
to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which provides health care to people
in The Outback; the Alice Springs School of the Air that provides
educational services to children living in remote areas of Central
Australia; the Old Telegraph Station; a visit to the 640-square-mile
Oooraminna Bush Camp, where 40,000 Hereford cattle run the range. They
are watered, but no extra feed, inoculations or other care is given. The
following evening, we were guests at a River Bed Evening underneath the
gum trees, hosted by a local Aboriginal family in the Simpson's Gap
area. one of the hosts told about the country and his life and then
entertained us after dinner with guitar music and singing around a
bonfire. The Central Australian sunset was beautiful.
Termite Hill at Alice Springs Desert Park.
From Alice Springs, it was a long, five hour, 280-mile coach ride
through the Bush to Uluru (Ayers Rock), we had two different walks with
an explanation of the Aboriginal significance, the flora, fauna and
geology. In the evening, we went for a sunset viewing of Ayers Rock
(along with numerous other busloads of people), but the clouds blocked
the setting sun so it was a disappointment.
Champagne at sunset viewing of Uluru (Ayers
Rock) with Missy Braver on the right.
We're riding "Bundy," a former racing camel at
Noel Fullerton's camel farm on Steward Hwy between Alice Springs and
Uluru (Ayers Rock).
The weather in the Alice Springs-Ayers Rock area was very hot, as
previously mentioned, and because of the pesky flies and hot sun, it was
necessary to wear hats and nets to cover our heads. Even with the nets
over our heads, the flies tried to zero in on our eyes, nose and ears.
Little wonder the Australian national salute is swiping flies away from
the head!
Cairns, on the east coast of Australia, was our next flight
destination. It is a very pretty area but very tropical so the weather
was not only hot, but humid. While in this area, went to the Flecker
Botanic Gardens and the Rainforest Habitat Center, where we walked
through the rain forest aviary and wetlands aviary; saw koalas,
kangaroos, crocodiles; and had "Breakfast with the Birds."
A kangaroo at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Birds flew all over the large, closed in area where we sat and
where the buffet breakfast was spread out, helping themselves to seeds
on our breakfast rolls and, from time to time, lighting on someone's
shoulder, head or hat. This was followed by a rather "steamy" boat ride
on the Daintree River, with nary a crocodile in sight!
The next adventure was a full-day field trip to the Great Barrier Reef
on the "Ocean Spirit," which included a ride on a semi-submersible boat,
bird watching, snorkeling and swimming for those who cared to do so. On
our return cruise to Cairns, we were entertained by one of the crew
members singing and playing the guitar.
Our last day in the Cairns area was a field trip to the Atherton
Tablelands with a cruise on Lake Barrine, a tranquil crater lake fringed
by rain forest. Then it was back on the coach to an unbelievable curtain
fig tree near Yungaburra, then to Kuranda, where we boarded the Skyrail
to Carvonica with two stops along the way at Barron Falls and Red Peak.
It was quite an awesome sight as we passed over the top of the rain
forest.
Nov 23...Sydney Opera House as seen from Captain
Cook Boat Ride.
The next and last destination was Sydney, where we
enjoyed coach and boat tours; a guided tour of the Sydney 2000 Olympic
Games site; the Opera House, which included dinner in their restaurant,
followed by a performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra. The Opera
House is fantastic and a very impressive site.
On Nov. 25, we visited the University of Wollongong, the
headquarters for the Australian College for Seniors, where we were
entertained with a combination of humor, singing, piano playing and a
lecture by one of the professors. We had dinner there, then were
entertained by the professor's wife, a professional singer.
Our last day and a half in Sydney was on our own, except for meals back
at the hotel. There hadn't been a lot of free time so this helped
relieve part of the panic some of us were feeling about not having done
our Christmas shopping and provided an opportunity to get a little
exercise. During this trip we had made pigs of ourselves at around 90
buffets....but who's counting! Not having a lot of willpower when it
comes to buffets, this turned out to be deadly to the waistlines!
We left Sydney on Nov. 27, arrived in Los Angeles 13 hours
later...still on Nov. 27.
In summary, we found the people in New Zealand and Australia very
friendly and helpful, with a great sense of humor. Our Elderhostel group
of 38 were very nice, friendly, intelligent, mostly retired people from
many different professions and numerous areas throughout the U.S. and
Canada.
Several of the group, who had been on previous Elderhostel trips, said
this was the best trip yet. We were kept very busy...learning, doing,
and seeing most everything possible in every area we visited, all of it
very well organized. The group ranged in age from 66 to 89, with we two
being the youngest. We'd almost forgotten how that felt, but I can
assure you it's still a good feeling.
