After a much needed sleep we surfaced early again for a delicious cooked breakfast. With our bellies full and beanies on we boarded the bus ready for another massive day. Our first point of call was the National Museum for a self guided tour. The museum proved to be a lot more interesting than we had anticipated with awesome displays and exhibits including a rotating theatre, a 3-D interactive activity and Phar Lap’s heart.
Our next destination was a local park for lunch where we experienced aggressive mobs of swans and curious possums in toilets. Next on the agenda was the ‘big one.’ Parliament House! Wow! We spent 3 hours with various tour guides exploring the building and its many enormous rooms. We visited both the Senate and the House of Representatives and participated in another role play demonstrating a day in the life of the latter. Many of us were overwhelmed by the amount of security guards and restricted areas in the building prompting the question, “what would happen if you got lost in this place?” Being the dedicated teachers they are, Mr Conti and Mr Sweet offered to try to answer this question by well and truly losing their way in the building.
After a few photos at Parliament House we headed back to camp for dinner. We then rugged up for a night drive to the Telstra Tower. We all piled in to an elevator and reached a lookout over 800 metres above sea level. From here we could see the whole of Canberra lit up like a Christmas tree. After a good look at our capital, we piled back onto the bus and headed home for bed. All packed and ready to go, we are off to sleep to re-charge for another huge day tomorrow. We are still having an excellent time and a little sad to be leaving tomorrow.
Day Three – 23rd of July
Typical, Canberra’s coldest day this winter, minus 4 and Mr. Bibby had us up at six thirty for a seven ‘o’ clock breakfast. Off to the big smoke. We visited the electoral centre, royal Australian mint, the high court, the National Art Gallery and Old Paliament House. Towards the end of the day it became clear who had gone to bed on time and who had opted for some late night chit chat. Anyone caught sleeping on the bus was woken immediately for fear of a repeat of last nights chatathon.
Several members of the group show-cased their acting abilities during a role-play at old parliament house. Jacob T, Maddy K and Maddy P made some impressive contributions to discussions in both old parliament house and the high court of Australia. We experienced a lesson in logic and mathematics when we agreed to pay $2.60 for a one dollar coin at the Royal Australian Mint (our Mathematics program may need an overhaul).
After our big day out we returned to camp for dinner before departing again for a trip to the movies to see ‘Kung Foo Panda’ The film obviously had an impact on Mr Sweet as he was last sighted heading down the main street of Canberra fending off invisible enemies while singing ‘Kung Foo Fighting.’
We then returned home for bed. We are sure this time our darlings will have a great nights sleep. When we said lights out Mr. Bibby and Mr. Stumpers took that on board personally! We are looking forward to another great day tomorrow. The year 7 group are having a great time!
Day Two – 22nd of July
After a hearty breakfast it was time to pack up and move on. With numerous trips up and down the elevators and getting off the wrong floor we finally made our way onto the coaches only to find that some unkind person had let the tyres down on the smaller coach. Did this little hiccup deflate our egos? Of course not - but it did deflate other things as the temperature in downtown Sydney was rather chilly this morning!
By 10am we were taking in a close up view of the harbour bridge and climbing the steps to the opera house. Mr Stumpers was inspecting the symmetrical pattern of the tiles on the opera house whilst Mr Conti, Mrs Egan, Mrs Standish and Ms Dawson were having a mathematical discussion on measurement. The big question was would you climb the harbour bridge and would you survive if you jumped from a safe height into the harbour? We then continued on around circular quay where Baskins and Robins didn’t know what hit them with 70 children grabbing a quick morning snack. Together we sat on circular quay and took in the magnificent sight of the manly ferries and the harbour bridge whilst listening to what we thought was the best didgeridoo player in the world until the didgeridoo kept playing after he took his mouth away from the instrument! Portable CD players come in handy at times!
Then we went on to Bondi Beach. Ms Dawson was hoping to save a lifesaver but unfortunately for her she was only able to save a group of tourists from Slovakia who were in Sydney for World Youth Day. In fact there are still quite a lot of “pilgrims” in Sydney now doing touristy things before going home.
After passing through Goulburn and seeing the world’s biggest ram statue we made it to our campsite in time for a yummy tea. Mr Sweet then held the 2008 camp Olympics. An inquiry may need to be held as funnily enough his team won! Students had to come to the games in “crazy” dress. Kieran won as the “hunchback of Joondalup” although Sailesh and Kaleb came a close 2nd with his zany outfit.
As we write this our “babies” are tucked up in bed in their heated cabins and we would like to think that they are snoring as Mr Stumpers and Mr Bibby are!
Day 1: July 21st 2008
After an uncomfortable 4 hour flight we arrived tired and exhausted at Sydney airport. We collected our luggage and boarded 2 coaches headed for Darling Harbour. Many unfortunate shoppers and staff looked surprised to see a stampede of 70 kids running toward McDonald's!
After breakfast we traveled to Taronga Zoo for the day. We saw many weird and wonderful animals like the Tapir (a cow/anteater/pony/weird thing), Mountain goats, Gorillas, Mata-Mata (a square headed turtle thingy) and a terrific performance by the magnificent seals. Mr Sweet was having a great time until he lost his entire group!! Don't panic he found them in the monkey's cage (at least we think thats them?)
We made our way across the Harbour Bridge for the 2nd time to our accommodation, an international backpackers hostel. Very big and very nice! We had a massive dinner of 3 huge chicken legs, salad, chips and red cordial (the teachers weren't to happy about that!) We ended the day with a cold walk around the city and now heading for bed where we will be perfect little angels for our teachers.
We are off to bed now speak to you soon!
Emma.S + Jemma.S
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