My 2007 Summer Journey
The Land Down Under
by Leah Lee
September 26, 2008
My Australian Journey with People to People Student Ambassadors
Summer 2007
 Me with the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge in the background. |
The summer of 2007 I traveled with People to People Student Ambassadors with Phyllis Ballard with the Texarkana High School Delegation. We arrived in Sydney after a long 15 hour flight. The first place we stopped was the Telstra Stadium, home of the 2000 Olympics. We also visited the Sydney Aquarium, Costello's Opals, the Opera House, the Barracks, and took a cruise in the Sydney Harbor. Even though it rained most of the time I was in Sydney, I had a great time. I also had the pleasure of meeting my long time pen pal from Millicent, South Australia, Pearl Bellinger and her husband, Mark. We have been pen pals since 1989. This was one of the highlights from my trip. |
| We journeyed south to Cambera, the capitol of Australia where we went to the Australian Institute of Sports where they train their athletes, and to the New Parliment House where we got to witness a debate in the last seating of Parliment before their winter break. The debate was over Global Warming and the possibility of Australia building several Nuclear Power Plants along the eastern coastline. The speaker was Peter Garrett. On our way back to Sydney, we got to stop at a working sheep ranch for lunch. |  Me and Phyllis at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in Canbera at the War Memorial. |
 Me and my long time pen pal, Pearl, at the Hard Rock in Sydney. |
We flew up to the Northern Territory of Australia to the city of Darwin. We went from cold and rainy to nice and tropical. We visited the Parliment House of the Northern Territory and the History Museum. We then ventured out to Kakadu National Park where we watched the sunset from Ubirr Rock, viewed aboriginal rock art, spent the day with a family of Aboriginies, flew over the park in twin engine planes, went swimming in Wangi and Edith Falls, saw the Termite Mounds, visited Crocodyllus Park and took a cruise on the East Aligator River. |
 Phyllis and me on Ubirr Rock at Sunset in Kakadu National Park. |
 Phyllis and I in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. |
 Me, Daniel and Phyllis. |
We were honored to have the chance to get know and learn from our real Aussie Delegation Manager, Daniel Martin. |
| The last week of our journey started with a flight to Cairnes, North Queensland. We visited Palm Cove Beach to relax and soak up some sun and shop before meeting our home stay families. This is where I met Danielle. I had a wonderful time getting to know her, and her life long friend, Melissa. Phyllis and I got to take the Skyrail trip through the Rain Forest, which was simply beautiful. While in Cairnes we also hugged a koala, fed a kangaroo, and snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef with the all the little fishes. The last day of our adventure found us hiking up a mountain, sea kayaking, snorkeling and relaxing on a coral beach on Fitzroy Island. Then it was time say farewell to the land down under and start another long flight back home. |  A hug from a Koala. |
Me with a Baby Croc.
