Day 15: Their Last Day Down Under Ends With a Hop, Hug, and Cuddle!

If they aren't suffering from incredible sunburn, today they will delight in the oohs and ahhs of Australia's more cuddly nature.

I was hoping someone might have posted a few pics last night from yesterday's adventure, but I am pretty sure they don't have wi-fi and won't until the airport tomorrow.

It looks like they will finally do their service project (although they are going to be so tired, I hope they aren't responsible for anything too important!). The itinerary says restoring the rain forest. Maybe planting trees?

They they get a taste of Aboriginal culture with a little dancing (see videos below) and they get to throw a boomerang. How many of those do you think will come home - to California?!

Finally, they get to see koalas, kangaroos and wombats at a wildlife sanctuary (there are several, maybe this one or here?). I know Katie's been waiting for this. I honestly don't know how they are going to fit all this in!

The leave for Brisbane EARLY in the morning on Friday (their Friday which is our Thursday) and start their flight home.

From the People to People Itinerary:

• Walk on the wild side when you get up close and personal with crocodiles and learn more about these amazing creatures.
• Participate in a unique service project; restoring world heritage rainforest to its original state.
• Be immersed in the Aboriginal culture with a demonstration of Aboriginal traditional dance, boomerang and spear throwing, as well as an introduction to Aboriginal history.
• 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 WWII.
• 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. 

Here's an Aborginal Dance:

And an Aussie Bush Dance (that looks a lot like something Billy Ray Cyrus might do!)

Day 10: Good Bye New Zealand, Hello Australia and Mystery Solved!

They are on their way to Australia!

Part two of the trip officially begins today (which is Saturday for them) and they are flying to Sydney. I got a chance to talk with Katie quickly today (via wi-fi at the airport) and she said the adventure yesterday was a killer! It was hard, challenging and mostly COLD. While it didn't happen to her, some kids had frozen feet it was so cold. I hope they warmed up today so they could make their way to the plane.

They were participating in some amazing team and confidence building activities with the company, Full On. It appears they worked their way to the top of a mountain and repelled down.

Collen Estes, a leader from the Vacaville area, posted a fantastic shot of the delegates with huge, amazing smiles and all their gear (below). The girls look pretty psyched to me! There's a video from the company about People to People delegates below.


The other day, they got to go to the Christchurch Antarctic Center to learn about the animals and research happening down south.

I stole this pic (above) from KC's Instagram because I loved it! They are getting ready to go into an Antarctic Windstorm Simulator and their faces reflect the excitement and a little hesitation as they get ready to get their faces blown off!

Sheila also posted a pic (right) of Katie and her buddies at the center where my daughter is managing to hug the crap out of a fur seal while the other girls sit casually on his back.

Of course, the thing I noticed most (because I'm the mom), is most of Katie's crap is on the ground in front of her; all spread out, including her phone. My how I haven't missed THAT around the house!

The kids should have wi-fi tonight so I expect at least a few photos.

From the People to People Itinerary: [Note: so this is weird because they did this the other day! It must be a weird out of order mistake. But they did fly to Sydney.]

• Join in the fun at the Christchurch Antarctic Center, a showcase for the unique International cooperation that exists in Antarctica today.
• Meet with people that have worked in Antarctica and have an opportunity to call a base camp in Antarctica to speak with scientists there.
• Come face to face with adorable blue penguins that have been cared for and nursed since they were chicks. 

Then it's off to Australia! Known as the Harbour City, Sydney is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches.

• G’day, mate! Welcome to Australia!
• Meet your Australian Delegation Manager upon arrival at Sydney Airport.
• Dine at a Sydney restaurant overlooking Darling Harbor, where you will have the opportunity to try kangaroo for dinner.
• Go beneath the sea at the Sydney Aquarium for a chance to discover fascinating marine life, including dugongs, turtles, and stingrays.

Sydney, Australia