June 17, 2011
We started to head home in the U.S. at around 4 in the morning in Sydney to get on the flight home. We started Cairns to Sydney where we apart with our tour guide. Then we left Sydney to LA and that took 15 hours. Then from LA to Chicago, I was asleep most of the flight between LA to Chicago, and the entire time we spent flying was 25 hours that is a long time. After I got home it was 4 to 5 in the afternoon, and the rest of the day I just relaxed from my long flight.
June 7, 2011
We started off by loading on the bus to the airport to go to New Zealand, it was a long flight. We first stopped in LA to transfer to an international flight and that flight took about 13 hours, it was long. Most of the time I was either watching a movie, some TV, or reading my book, I didn’t get much sleep on the plane because it was uncomfortable. That is what the flight to Auckland, New Zealand.
June 14, 2011
The day started by flying to Cairns, when we arrived we went to the hotel. When we got to the hotel we got changed to got to a pool near a beach, we couldn’t go in the beach for one reason because the water was at low tide and there was 50 feet of sand between the water. We all had fun at the pool and later we went back to the hotel to get change and walk around the area. When we got back to the hotel for the night to get ready to go to the Great Barrier Reef in the morning.
June 16, 2011
During the Australia and New Zealand trip there was a lot of things I like and here are the top ten. Number 10; The Duck Tour, the Duck tour was fun because we learned how duck-boats were built and what they were used for, also the boat is also a car. Number 9; The Opal Museum, the Opal museum showed us how opal was created in the Earth, what types of opal are there, and they showed us a collection of opal. Number 8; The Hangi Dinner, it was a cultural dinner and it showed us many of the culture of the Maori people. Number 7; The Ogo,ogo is very similar to zorbing and the place had a stationary ride and it was a blast. Number 6; Luging, a luge is a non-motor go-cart and you go down a hill, it was pretty cool. Number 5; Meeting the New Zealand students, meeting the students and learning about how their school and grading system work is pretty neat. Number 4; Whaka, Whaka has some history of the Maori and we learned the properties of the geothermal mud and springs that are still used today. Number 3; The Sydney Aquarium, because we couldn’t go whale watching then some students and I went to the aquarium and saw all kinds of fish, some fish we saw were at the Great Barrier Reef. Number 2; The Sydney Wildlife World, there they had all kinds of animals including Kangaroos and Kolas. Finally number 1; The Great Barrier Reef, I saw so many types of fish and all kinds of coral, I even saw some squid, it was amazing. And those are my top 10 things I liked on the Australia and New Zealand trip.
We all took a train ride that could a few hours to get to, then we went and got some lunch. Then we took a bus to get us to this gondola that took us to the top of a mountain. After that a guide started talking about all the trees and animal that lived in the rain forest, and when we were all done we went to an Aboriginal park. At the park we saw a creation video about what the Aboriginal people believed and they showed us the tools they would of had and I got to throw a spear. After we got back to the hotel to spilt up into small group to go around the town, my group went an ate at a place talk Kani’s Restaurant, that is the same place where I had my kangaroo streak, and I had coral trout fillet and it was good. Then we started looking a round before we headed back to the hotel to get ready to go back to the U.S.
June 15, 2011
First everyone got on the boat and headed to the reef, on the way there the waves got really rocky. When we got to our destination we got ready to go snorkeling. When I got in the water it was like seeing a whole other world As soon as I looked into the water it was teeming with life, there was all kinds of fish, cora,, and plant life. I saw fishes of different colors, shape, and sizes, I even saw this huge fish near the scuba diver. I saw so many fish and coral, although at the bottom of the water it was covered with dead coral but the corals had amazing colors. After a good swim I went in for some food, I was freezing and the food was good. After I was done eating I went back into the water but due to the shrinking water levels I was unable to swim as much as before. While in the water I got to see some squid. Then we all got back on the boat and went back to shore, the reef was a lot of fun, I saw all kinds of fish I never knew about before and it was just so much fun that if I could do it again I would.
We left for the Great Barrier Reef, when we got on the boat it first headed to an island to drop some people off. After that we started heading to the reef, the waves were very rocky. When we got to the reef it was a lot of fun, there was all kinds of fish and marine life, we even got to hold a starfish. After a few hour we got back on the boat and back to the hotel to regroup, everyone got in their own little groups and travel the area. There I had kangaroo steak, it was good. Then we headed back to the hotel for lights out.
June 13, 2011
I believe that if I were to travel alone I would do quite well, I am good at organizing (packing), I am smart with my money, and I think I would do well if I know what I am doing. There are several things I would need to plan for ahead, pack every thing I would need, and not buy too much. First, I need to plan so I have to know where I am going, get my tickets, and book hotels, then I would need to know how much the trip would cost. Next, I would need to figure out what I would need to bring and how am I going to bring it all, I would make a list in order for me not to forget anything, then I need to know how to fit everything I would need into my bag. Finally, when I am at my destination I need to make sure I leave some money for food, and everything I buy I need to bring back so I should not buy a lot of things. If I follow all these steps then I would have a very successful trip to other countries, other states, or even other cites, and if I don’t do everything I need to do then it is going to be one long trip.
Because of the rain I was unable to go whale watching so instead we went to a mall. We then left to go get something to eat at the market place we were in the other day. Then everyone but six people, including me, went climbing the Sydney Bridge. The rest of us went to the Sydney Aquarium, we saw sharks, fish, and we even went on a glass bottom boat. Then we went to the Sydney Harbor to see the light show it was cool. We then got back to the hotel to get ready for the flight to Cairns the next morning.
June 12, 2011
I have faced many challenges on this trip if it maybe trying new things, living in the moment, or being a little more social. The first challenge is trying new things, even though I have tried some new things I feel as if I could have done better. Another challenge I face is I need to live in the moment and have fun, I feel that I have been taking to many pictures and I feel that I am not getting into some of the activities. Finally, another challenge I face is that I don’t really talk to people that much. Even though there are some challenges there are also some improvements like learning more about a culture and starting to try new things. Something that was positive was learning more about the countries’ culture and society. Also, another thing that I learned was the properties of the geothermal springs and the mud pools. Finally, I have started to try new things like kiwi, but I haven’t tried somethings like veggie mite. All trips have their ups and downs, their comforts and challenges, and in order to enjoy traveling you need to enjoy the little things in life and push though the challenges, that is what a true traveler does.
We went to a cliff, then we went to the opera house to find some food, but we were only able to find food on the other side of the harbor. After everyone had ate we went on a cruise ship tour of the harbor. When we got off we went to the Sydney Wildlife World where we saw kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles and all kinds of animals, it was fun. We also ate at the Wildlife World and the food was good. Then after we ate we headed back to the hotel for the night.
June 11, 2011
Sydney is an amazing city, but it is very similar to Chicago, they both have harbors and they both have famous landmarks. Both cities, and maybe most cities, have a harbor and the cities use the harbors to import/export supplies. Also, both cities have landmarks like Sydney has the Sydney Bridge, the Sydney opera house, and the Sydney Tower while Chicago has the Willis Tower, originally the Sear Tower, both cities have very famous landmarks. While both cities have some similarities they also have differences. Some of the differences Sydney and Chicago have is that Sydney has a Market and different kinds of transportation. Sydney has a market instead of a mall, where they sell food and gifts that are made in Australia. Also, Sydney has different kinds of transportations, while some of the transportations of Sydney and Chicago are similar like taxis, cars, and subways they also have different kinds as well for instance Sydney has monorails, trains on one metal beam that it uses to propel its self forward, and Sydney uses boats like cruises and motorboats to take people from one side of a body of water to another. While Sydney and Chicago have some differences and similarities all cities are special in their own way, if it may be a famous skyscraper or a type of food all cities have something that makes them different.
We got on to a plane to Australia and when we got off we start walking though Sydney. We went to the Sydney tower and you could see a lot of Sydney’s famous buildings. After that we went to the opal museum to learn how opal is created and what kinds of opal are there. After we finished we did some sight seeing at the Sydney Harbor. We then check out the market and saw so much stuff. While we were there it started to rain and the guide, a few kids, and I went on the subway, while everyone else walked though the rain, back to the hotel.
June 10, 2011
After we all had got up and had breakfast we went on a hike thought the Redwoods forest in the pouring rain. I was wet and cold but it was worth seeing the beautiful forest. After we got back to the hotel we were all wet and cold and everyone was trying to warm themselves up. After we all got our stuff together and got on the bus we started heading to Auckland to see our pen pals. It was a lot of fun to meet the New Zealand students and learn what their school is like. I also learn that when they get old enough they need to go though three stages to get their driver’s licenses. My pen pal and I talked about our grading system and we talked about the tests we take. After we all ate everyone was taught the hanki. Then we got a personal tour though their school, their school is pretty big. I had a lot of fun seeing the school and getting to know my pen pal some more.
After we got ready we went on a hike though the Redwoods, in the pouring rain. We had to take two buses because the group was so big. Then we got back to the hotel to warm up and get our things together to go to Auckland. We took a bus to Auckland to see our pen pals, we ate, we talk, and we even learned the hanki. We got a tour of their school and were sent back to the hotel to get ready for Australia the next day.
June 9, 2011
We learn a lot about the Maori culture, like their history, their beliefs, and their way of life. While in Whakarewarewa we learn that the Maori people had used and still use the geothermal springs to cook their foods, bathe, and it is use as a type of herbal medicine. Also, the Maori people use the geothermal mud pools for healing process, for instance the mud is use to treat arthrodesis, not cure it, and other medical condition, also, it is good for the skin. We also learned about how the Maori people made their buildings to the human body, like the windows are the eyes, the door is the mouth, the support beam is the heart, etc. Also, we learned about the previous guides and how they became famous. A lot has happen in Whakarewarewa and we learned a lot about the Maori culture. After Whakarewarewa, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the Maori dinner. The hotel was doing a Maori culture dinner, there was all kinds of foods like chicken, pork, lamb, rice, noodles, and some desserts. After we ate there was a bunch of music and dancing. They also told stories and it was a lot of fun. We learned so much about their culture and their traditions and had a lot of fun learning about the Maori people.
After breakfast and everyone was ready we went on a duck tour, a duck is a bout with wheels. We learned what they were used for, how they were built, and how many are left. We went to two lakes and learned about those lakes. After the duck tour we went to Whakarearewa, there we learned a ll about the Maori culture and about the geothermal springs. After that we went to the Agrodome, there they showed us all the types of sheep they have. Later, we went ogoing, which is like zorbing, there is this big ball with a smaller ball that you go into and you roll down a hill it was a lot of fun. Then the group and I went back the hotel to have a traditional Maori dinner. There was all kinds of food, then Steven Fletcher was our chief for the night, there was music and dancing and it was fun. And when it was over we went to our rooms to go to bed.
June 8, 2011
My first impression of New Zealand was that there is a lot of fun things to do and that this is going to be a interesting trip. The flight to New Zealand was long but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Then we landed in Auckland and took a bus tour to Rotorua. We did some sightseeing around the area. Then we took a gondola ride to the top of a mountain where the group and I went luging, luge is like a go-cart only difference is there is no motor and you use the slope of the hill to move. After that we went to Mountain Jade, which is a jewel store that sells jade stones, where we learn the process of turning a jade stone into an amazing jewel design. After that we went to the hotel to drop our stuff off. Because of the geothermal springs, sulfur is release into the air making the area smell like rotten eggs. Finally, we went to get some dinner, then to a grocery store to get anything we might need while we are there and then back to the hotel. In the little time I have been in New Zealand I have notice many cultural differences like New Zealand uses geothermal as one of its power source. Also, New Zealander drive on the left side of the road instead of the right. Lastly, the native inhabitants’ tradition and culture is still practiced today.
There are differences and similarities between many countries like, for example, New Zealand and America. America and New Zealand have a few differences and similarities when it comes to their cooking and preparation techniques. First, New Zealanders traditional cook by using under ground ovens or geothermal areas, like hot springs, while Americans use grilles or fires to cook their food. Another different, New Zealanders cooked some foods on special occasions, like the hangi, Americans cook anything at any time, like hamburgers, hotdogs, and turkey. Even though the two countries do have some different cooking techniques they also have similarities like both countries have restaurants that cook and prepare the food. Many countries have differences and similarities that are effect by their culture and culture diffusion that created the many types of cooking techniques.
While traveling to a new country I am excited about trying new foods and seeing what make our food and their so different.
In the story, Rabbit Proof Fence, the author talks about the injustice that the European settlers were doing to the Aboriginal people during that period of time. In the story “[an European settler] stole [an Aborigine’s] wife, Nella, [and the Aborigine] was given a bag of flour and told to go home,” (15). The Aboriginal people had harsher punishments compared to the European settler when given punishments by the government. The government was also “removing part-Aboriginal children from their families and transported them hundreds of kilometers down south,” (40). The Aboriginal people were denied the right to life, liberty, and personal security by taking children from their home because the child was born of part-Aboriginal. The part-Aboriginal usually happened when the father was white and the mother was Aboriginal. This Aboriginal “teachers and keepers of the traditional Law were prevented from practising it,” (16). The government forced the Aboriginal people to stop practicing their traditional laws and changed their cultural to become more European. The Aboriginal population faced many injustices at the time but we the same thing in another parts of the world.
Even though the injustice the Aborigines dealt with we know that they were not the only ones that faced the same fate. In the 1840s, Americans started to expand and move west across the North America because they believed they had the right to the entire continent. This movement across the North America became known “Manifest Destiny”. Many Native Americans were forced out of their homes and land this forced them to move elsewhere. The Native Americans were treated similar to the Aborigines as both societies had to learn new cultures and traditions in order to survive.
In conclusion when people are forced to leave their home and move this is a breach to their right to live where they want, liberty, personal security and equality before the law as well as the freedom of belief and religion. When we relocated people against their will we are taking control of their lives, which takes away the idea/belief that they are free to choose their own rights. The Aboriginals or the Native Americans are not the only people that this has happen to hopefully it will be the last.
The Cane Toad is one of many invasive species that live in Australia. Originally native to South America, Cane Toads were brought to Australia in 1935 and were used to take care of crop destroying Cane Beetles. But instead of helping Australia it is ruining it, by reducing the population of native animals with its poisonous glands and bottomless appetite. The Cane
Toads have a high reproduction rate
making their population explode. But scientists are using a common parasite called the lung worm and putting it in the Cane Toads, scientists believe that the parasite well reduce the reproduction rate by 30%.
While the Cane Toads effect Australia there is a dangerous species that lurks in the waters of the U.S. and its called the Snakehead fish. With no natural predators the snakeheads are able to exp
and and kills the wildlife the lives here. They are brought from Asia into U.S. local fish markets and accidental released into the lakes of the U.S. In 2002 local officials poisoned the waters to kill the fish, but it did not work. Now, Officials have decided to give up killing them and decided to track them keep them from spreading.
Invasive species are a dangerous threat and should be taken likely, for example the rabbits in Australia, they can’t kill people but they can cause massive damage and
cause both environmental and economical problems in Australia. That is the same in theU.S. if we are not carful that what is happening to Australia can happen her
e. Also remember that it is easy to put the species in a new environment but it is impossible to get them out.
Blog #1: Watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbNeIn3vVKM
Answer the following questions in numbered form (1, 2, 3 etc.)
Blog #2: The Marine Park Authority of the Australian Government has created several videos to educate the public on what they can do to help conserve the Great Barrier Reef. Watch the videos below and answer the following questions in numbered form (1, 2, 3 etc.)
Video #1: What is “Coral Bleaching” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW8nCALx5iA&feature=related
Video #2: Why should we care about climate change/destruction of coral reefs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcoyj2VPCOM
Video #3/#4: Educating children about the effects of climate change
Watch the following two videos that are aimed at teaching children about the effects of climate change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqJMInH5yM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEdoizgeNJk&feature=related
Dear Prime Minister,
Here is what I have learned, in 1788 the British arrived, when the British settled in Sydney Cove they start to take the Aborigines land and brought diseases and non-native animals, like sheep and cows, which destroyed the Aborigines’ water holes. In the early 1900’s, laws were passed in every state to protect the Aborigines, they also made restrictions on owning land, where they could live, and even to whom they could marry. Although, in 1967 the Australian voted Aborigines real citizens, which mean they were given the same rights as everyone else. In 1971, Geoffrey Bardon began painting a wall mural with his students and some tribe members. After that, The australian government realized that aboriginal artwork was a resource and began trying to conserve it.
Also, a negative that happen was the “stolen generation”. The stolen generation was a government policy in1909 to 1969, it was a policy that insure the Aborigines Protection Board, or the APB, the power to remove children form their Aborigines without parental consent and without a court order where then the children were be assimilated and brought up ‘white’. Many people who were in the stolen generation were physical and sexual abused and many others were led to alcoholism, violence and early death. Even though the stolen generation happen many years ago it even affects this generation as well. when a person from the stolen generation has children they have no idea how to raise them, by conventional Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal way, and the children are then, often, removed from them by welfare agencies which starts up this terrible cycle through the next generation.
Sir, if an official apology is not made it could lead to violences and even riots throughout the country. Also, if more people get involve then it could cause bigger problems. So Prime Minister I suggest that you give an official public apology to end this.
Sincerely,
Scott D. Kehr
Technology has made a big change over the course of human history; From pigeons to emails, technology has effected us in every way, but is it a good thing? In the article “Savor the Trip, Don’t Tweet It” Elliott talks about how travel with all the apps, gadgets and stuff makes the trip less memorable. After reading this article, it got me wondering how has technology effect my life? I think it has a huge effect on my life as well as everyone else going on the trip, I think our class could use some boundaries for technology when we go on the trip. When I said set boundaries for technology I don’t mean dump anything electronic at the airport I suggest we do what the article said “Let the kids use the iPad during the flight, but bury it deep in the suitcase when you arrive”. so my recommendation is while we are on the plane we can play with our gadgets and gameboys as much as we want. However, when we arrive gameboys and ipods should be off until the appropriate time such as when we are relaxing in our rooms. I believe when you travel you should experience it with all of your senses, a true experience is to be available to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the new culture. This is why I believe people travel is to experience the adventure.
There has been throughout the history of Australia, New Zealand, and America over the years, but they have some in common as well throughout their histories. Some examples that show their similarities are; the British colonization, the gold rush, and independence. But there are some difference like why the British colonize some land, such as the United States and New Zealand and Turned Australia into a prison for convicts.
One of the many similarities is our fight with Britain to gain our independence which took place in 1783 when the peace treaty was ratified. As seen on the other two timelines Britain was at war with Australia and claim Australia in 1778 just five years after the US received their independence. It took a few more years before Britain gained power in New Zealand around 1840.
However, the difference between the settlements of the countries are as follows. People chose to leave England for America to create a new country due to religious reasons and prosecutable. The Australia settlement however, was formed with convicts from England. Due to over crowding and few jails England felt the land was unsuitable and not civilized therefore was a perfect place to send 162,000 convicts to work the land. New Zealand was discovered by Captain Cook who brought muskets to the Maori people who decided it was easier to use this form of weapon to combat unfriendly tribes. The French at the time was also trying to establish land usage so England expedited a treaty with the Maori people who gave away their land to the English for protection.
As you look over the timelines of the three countries their is even more similarities such as the gold rush in the US, the gold rush took place in the 1848 in California which caused mass amount of people to migrate to the west coast to seek fortune. New Zealand's had their own gold rush in 1861 while Australia was in 1850. There was a common thread between the three gold rushes a man named Gabriel Read who lived from 1824 - 1894 had prospected all three sites for gold. Gabriel Read was originally from Australia.
All three countries during the 1900’s all become self governing with democracy as they way to govern their countries. While two of the countries have gained their independence from the British Empire. The United States of course had done this back in the 1783 while New Zealand finally gains theirs in 1947. Australia has only the British Monarch more as a symbolic gesture than as governmental identity as stated before all three countries us a democracy system for governing.
While the United States has apologized to the Native American for taking their land so has the Australian Parliament has had to apologize to the Aboriginal people who first lived in Australia before the convicts had first arrived. The timelines have so many similarities as well as differences through out the history of the world, these are only a few of a vast and rich history of all three countries.
http://www.animatedatlas.com/timeline.html
http://www.australianhistoryresearch.info/the-first-fleet
http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/1stfleet.html List of the first set of convicts from England in 1788
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/read-gabriel/1
Gabriel’s Gully during the height of the gold rush in 1862 in New Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Otago_Gold_Rush
http://www.fotopedia.com/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Tasmania
Port Arthur Tasmania where convicts were first placed when they arrived which eventually became a town.
