HOME, SWEET HOME

Evelyn and I were at the gate to greet Lenell when she arrived in Atlanta tonight.  Despite a somewhat tired veneer, she was excited, talkative and anxious to get home. 

After lots of hiking, repelling, and non-stop itineraries for 16 days, she looked thinner.  Leaving the airport at nearly 10 pm, she declared, “I want to go home, eat 2 steaks and watch some TV.”

Before we even got out of the parking lot she announced, “I want to go to London!  But not today.”  As the laughter settled in the car, she added, “I don’t want to be on another plane for a really long, long time.”

I can only imagine how she feels after a 29-hour journey back home.   Leaving Cairns, they flew to Sydney to catch their overseas flight.  The Sydney to Dallas/Forth Worth route is over 15 hours, “the longest flight in the world with a coach cabin.” (Wall Street Journal, accessed 15 Jul 2012).

Along the tour, her Student Ambassador attire attracted attention from the locals.  At a mall and other stops, she made quick friends with other teenagers – immediately confirming each other on Facebook.  She immensely enjoyed her homestay with a couple and their 4-year-old daughter.

We were told by the delegation leaders that Lenell was the shopper of the group.  She bought souvenirs everywhere she went.  At least she was thoughtful enough to buy a few things for others.

One characteristic that was transformed somewhat by the trip was her eating habits.  Normally a Sprite only girl, she reportedly drank lots of water and ate more variety.  However, she explained that after petting kangaroos and holding a crocodile, she declined offers to eat their cousins.

We’ve not yet heard all the news from Down Under, but I can tell already that this was a rewarding experience with some personal growth.  I would recommend the People to People program to any young student.

Signing out, Dad

P.S. – She got her steak, ate it all and promptly fell asleep.

At the Rain Forest Station, Kuranda (near Cairns)

WEDNESDAY, 18 JULY

Atlanta (Wednesday) -- 90°/ 72°, Chance of thunderstorms.

Somewhere over the Pacific (Tuesday)

It was Wednesday in Sydney when the Boomerang delegation left.  They’ve crossed the international dateline, and it’s now about 10:30 PM on Tuesday night for them -- 5:30 AM on Wednesday in Atlanta.

(Photo:  US Naval Observatory)

WEDNESDAY, 18 JULY

Atlanta (Tuesday) -- 88°/ 70°, Chance of afternoon thunderstorm.

Cairns (Wednesday) -- 84°/ 66°, Cloudy.

Sydney (Wednesday) -- 68°/ 46°, Rainy.

Lenell and her fellow Student Ambassadors have landed in Sydney, the last leg of their journey Down Under.  The Boomerang is headed back this way.

(Photo:  Green Limo Service)

TUESDAY, 17 JULY

Atlanta (Monday) -- 91°/ 72°, Chance of thunderstorm.

Cairns (Tuesday) -- 80°/ 68°, Mostly cloudy.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef across pristine waters.

• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and see brightly colored tropical fish, giant clams and different types of soft and hard coral.

• Any questions that may arise out of your exploration of the Reef, take to the Marine Biologist that exclusively joins your delegation for this experience.

• Pack your suitcase for the last time.

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef  (Photo: Mid City Luxury Suites)

(Photo:  Port Douglas Local Tourism Network)

MONDAY, 16 JULY

Atlanta (Sunday) -- 88°/ 70°, Mostly sunny.

Cairns (Monday) -- 75°/60°, Mostly cloudy.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Bid farewell to your home stay family.

• Visit the picturesque village of Kuranda, known as “The Village in the Rainforest”.  Kuranda is nestled at the top of the Kuranda Range, and enjoys a cooler climate than Cairns.

• Ride through the rainforest in a World War II amphibious vehicle, an Army Duck, which can traverse land and water. Officially spelled DUKW, Army Ducks were used in Australia by the U.S. Military during WWI.

• Encounter Australia’s unique fauna, such as koalas, kangaroos and wombats at a wildlife sanctuary.

• Cuddle a koala and have your photo taken!

• Participate in an ‘Aussie’ bush dance.

Boomerang 2012 Student Ambassadors with Homestay family members

Kuranda duck

SUNDAY, 15 JULY

Atlanta (Saturday) -- 88°/ 70°, Scattered thunderstorms.

Cairns (Sunday) -- 81°/ 68°, Scattered thunderstorms.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Your home stay continues with a chance to experience everyday life in Australia and meet the locals.

• This is your opportunity to make lifelong friends.

• Remember to thank your home stay family, as this will be your last night with them.

Aerial view of Cairns

Student Ambassadors meeting a host family in Cairns

SATURDAY, 14 JULY

Atlanta (Friday) -- 84°/ 68°, Scattered thunderstorms.

Darwin (Saturday) -- 90°/ 68°, Mostly sunny.

Cairns (Saturday) -- 82°/ 72°, Scattered thunderstorms.

Lenell and her delegation of Student Ambassadors left Darwin early this morning.  Their flight landed a short while ago in Cairns, where it is now mid-morning on Saturday.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Bid farewell to Darwin and catch your flight to Cairns, Queensland.

• Cairns is a coastal cosmopolitan city nestled in northern Queensland amid two of

Australia’s most treasured World Heritage destinations, the Wet Tropics

Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.  A committee chooses World Heritage sites from several nominated locations all over the world, which represent a significant “cultural or natural heritage”.

• Enjoy a dip in Cairns’ best known landmark, the Esplanade lagoon which overlooks Trinity inlet or take a stroll along the scenic boardwalk.

• Meet your home stay family and be welcomed into their home for the next two nights. Enjoy this unique opportunity to be immersed in local culture and learn about life in Australia.

The Esplanade

Photo courtesy of Mirvac Hotels

FRIDAY, 13 JULY

Atlanta (Thursday) -- 81°/ 68°, Chance of thunderstorm.

Darwin (Friday) -- 88°/68°, Mostly sunny.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Today visit Litchfield National Park known for its environmental diversity from rugged sandstone escarpments, monsoon rainforest and waterfalls.

• See the beautiful cascading waterfalls and take a swim at the picturesque Wangi Falls.

• Stand up tall next to the giant magnetic termite mounds that reach heights over 6 feet! Notice how the thin edges of the mounds point north – south minimizing the exposure to the sun.

• Return to Darwin this evening to prepare for your early flight to Cairns.

Wangi Falls  (Photo: Northern Territory Government)

Litchfield termite mound  (Photo:  Steve&Kelly)

THURSDAY, 12 JULY

Atlanta (Wednesday) -- 84°/ 68°, Chance of afternoon thunderstorm.

Katherine (Thursday) -- 95°/64°, Sunny.

Margaret Katherine, a Jawoyn elder

The Aborigines are often characterized as friendly and physically affectionate.  In January 2011, Oprah took 11 viewers on an adventure to Australia.  They were received by Margaret Katherine, a Jawoyn elder.  Check out this 90-second video to get a glimpse of the character and culture of the Jawoyn:  The Sacred Gabarnmung Cave.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Receive an official ‘Welcome to Country’ by the traditional Jawoyn people of the Katherine region.

• You will follow in the ‘footsteps of their ancestors’ for a day of interacting and learning about the local Aboriginal people’s culture.

• Learn about their important bushtucker and traditional bush medicines from your Aboriginal guides on a walk to a local waterhole.

• Test your spear throwing skills and master the art of the lighting a fire from traditional methods.

• Split into genders to learn about secret men’s and women’s business by participating in Didgeridoo playing, basket wearing or traditional ochre painting.

• Be sure to pack your swimwear, towel and walking shoes for today’s adventures.

Credit:  Nitmiluk Tours

A CREATION STORY

The Jawoyn people, of the Katherine Gorge area in the Northern Territory, tell how the Rainbow Serpent slept under the ground until she awoke in the Dreaming and pushed her way to the surface.  She then traveled the land, sleeping when she tired, and left behind her winding tracks and the imprint of her sleeping body.  When she had travelled the earth, she returned and called to the frogs to come out, but they were very slow because their bellies were full of water.  The Rainbow Serpent tickled their stomachs and when the frogs laughed, the water flowed out of their mouths and filled the tracks and hollows left by the Rainbow Serpent, creating the rivers and lakes.  This woke all of the animals and plants, who then followed the Rainbow Serpent across the land.

Source:  http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/dreaming

WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY

Atlanta (Tuesday) -- 90°/ 68°, Chance of afternoon thunderstorm.

Kakadu (Wednesday) -- 93°/72°, Mostly sunny.

Katherine (Wednesday) -- 90°/66°, Mostly sunny.

Local Aboriginal people recognize six seasons in a year.  Currently it is the Wurrgeng season.

Wurrgeng (June to mid-August)  The most comfortable time, weather-wise, is the late Dry, beginning in July. This is when wildlife, especially birds, gather in large numbers around shrinking billabongs, and when most tourists visit.

Read more at the Lonely Planet website.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Kakadu National Park is known for its strong continuing traditions of its Indigenous inhabitants including their art work.  Observe ancient rock art painted by Aboriginal people over 20,000 years ago.

• Hike to Nourlangie Rock, home of Namargon, who is better known as Lightning Man.

• Discover Edith Falls, traditionally known as Leliyn, and if time permits take a dip in the deep plunge pool (at your leader’s discretion).

Upper Pool at Edith Falls  (Credit: rfjagger)

Namargon, or Lightning Man  (Credit:  Gregona)

TUESDAY, 10 JULY

Atlanta (Monday) -- 91°/ 72°, Chance of thunderstorms.

Darwin (Tuesday) -- 88°/ 70°, Mostly sunny.

South Alligator (Tuesday) -- 91°/72°, Mostly sunny.

After a week of adventure...

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Discover the complex habitats that surround The Top End and learn about the importance behind protecting them while participating in an environmental service project.

• Enjoy a guided cruise on a specifically built safari boat that navigates the vast areas of the wetlands.  Keep your camera close to capture the abundance of bird life and wild crocodiles.

• Explore Kakadu National Park, World Heritage listed and jointly managed by its traditional Aboriginal owners and the Director of National Parks.  You may recognize some of its landscape from the movie Crocodile Dundee.

• Watch sunset from Ubirr Rock for an amazing view across the wetlands and

escarpments.

• Keep your eye out at sunset for kangaroos and other Australian wildlife. A group

of Kangaroos are called a mob.

Sunset at Ubirr Ceremony Rock (Credit: Top End Explorer Tours)

Mob of Kangaroos (Photo © Steve Parish)

MONDAY, 09 JULY

Yesterday at Crocodyllus Park in Darwin, Lenell fed the crocodiles raw chicken using a rod -- a long one, I hope.  And she held a baby croc.

Watch those fingers!

MONDAY, 09 JULY

Atlanta (Sunday) -- 93°/ 72°, Mostly sunny.

Sydney (Sunday) -- 66°/ 48°, Mostly sunny.

Darwin (Monday) -- 88°/ 70°, Sunny.

Darwin International Airport (Photo: Damoirons)

It’s shortly after midnight.  The PTP delegation left Sydney before 8 PM Sunday and arrived minutes ago in Darwin.  After some rest, they’ll be off for another day of activities.

ITINERARY FOR THE DAY:

• Orientate yourself with the city of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory.

• Have a close encounter with a crocodile at Crocodylus Park and learn about these prehistoric reptiles during a feeding.

• Explore the Northern Territory Museum and keep your eye out for “Sweetheart.”

• Discover the natural beauty of Darwin Harbor in a picturesque drive through East Point Reserve. Now home to a large population of resident wallabies, this area played a strategic role for the U.S. and Australian militaries during WWII and still contains relics from its military past.

Sweetheart, the outboard-crunching croc

Photo courtesy of the Centre for Fortean Zoology