Trips To Australia
Koalas Oz Experience 2008
After a little transport mishap involving trains, Team Leaders, Tanya and Jackie arrived at Coventry bus station where they met the first of the Koala group. This merry little group then travelled on a packed coach with no air conditioning and so arrived at Heathrow two hours later a little pink to be met by Team Leaders Sarah and Ben and the rest of the Koalas and Skippies.
Some shuffling around of seats on the aircraft and loads of sleep, watching of films etc, 12 hours later arrived in Hong Kong to be met by a wall of heat. A coach ride to The Salisbury YMCA – absolutely fantastic place – quick change and a short walk to the waterfront to watch the world’s largest permanent laser show “A Symphony of Lights” which covers 44 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. A walk round, a meal and most people in bed by around 12am – 1am.
After a quick breakfast the teams boarded the coach (thankfully air-conditioned) as even at 9am in the morning the temperatures were up into the 30’s with around 80% humidity. We departed for a City tour to Aberdeen Fishing Village, Stanley Market and a tram ride on the Peak Tram to the Sky Terrace to take some amazing photos of the city. Our guide for the tour “Danny Boy” kept the coach entertained with his jokes and stories and his little laugh. No time for a shower, just a quick change and drive to the airport for the next leg of the journey. Another few films, more sleep and arrived in Sydney to torrential rain. Both teams had been warned about the canine search for food in our cases and hand luggage on entry to Australia but most expecting where expecting a large ferocious dog and instead the cutest little beagle sniffer dog appeared. One Skippy member had to empty the contents of her bag but fortunately nothing was in. We then transferred by coach to Keiraview YHA in Wollangong, 1 ½ hours south of Sydney the weather was wet and cold. Rooms were allocated and then we all decided to go out and get our bearings. Unfortunately some, who had decided to find the beach with Tanya and Jackie, had first hand experience of Tanya’s map reading skills!!!!! – Torrential downpour and lots of wet people.
Whilst in Wollongong, Team members also spent free time, indoor climbing, visiting the cinema, shopping – the town did a roaring trade on hoodies, due to the team’s lack of warm clothing. Wollongong also included a visit to Symbio Wildlife Park where most were in raptures over koalas, wombats, kangaroos, red panda, Tasmanian devil and reptile handling. Some did not appreciate the snake for a scarf. That night the team dressed up and enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Chakola on Monday morning went without a hitch and we arrived to cold wet weather. Our first close encounter with eight legged wildlife occurred on one of the mini buses when team members saved Steff from a very large Huntsman spider that had taken a fancy to her. Our first look at conservation work at Berrima but weather was too wet and wild to begin, so back to Chakola to unpack and settle in. Basic accommodation caused a few tears but after a good meal cooked by our first of five cooking teams and a little re-shuffle of rooming most people retired to bed.
An early start and two teams led by Tanya, Ken and Jess were dispatched to Berrima to begin two days hard labour (kidding!) clearing ivy from the creek line while Jackie, Larni, Mick and the remaining team walked into the depths of Chakola to clear a prickly, bramble type weed by cutting and poisoning the roots. All teams returned weary and ready for a short shower (3 to 4 minutes max due to water conservation) and enjoyed another great meal.
Memorable events included, toasting marshmallows around a huge camp fire, barbeque (indoor due to the weather!), trip into the local town to the ice cream and fudge shop, two leeches, lots of ticks, skinks and a few eight legged little friends. Final night power cut was a wonderful way for all the team members to talk and share some lovely experiences including Brendan’s cake. Ken’s driving deserves a mention! All the team were sorry to leave but excited at travelling to Sydney calling at the spectacular Fitzroy Falls.
We arrived in Sydney Central YHA around 1pm on Saturday. Memorable events included the first sighting of the Opera House, trip to Bondi beach where some of the team stripped off but soon got dressed again as it was freezing!!!! Bridge climb – spectacular, Tower Restaurant – where some tasted Kangaroo for the first time. Jewish Museum – although closed the talk given by David Benedict (survivor of the Holocaust) was a very moving and grounding experience and the Cruise around the harbour on the final night where Koalas took over the dance floor on the upper deck and learnt the Nutbush Dance.
A very long journey home but all in good humour as it was throughout the whole experience.
A fantastic group of young people who each brought their own warmth and generosity to the group, who cared and looked out for each other and their team leaders.
Some very tearful farewells and some friends made forever.
A never to be forgotten experience.