Trips To Australia
Wombats 2008 Report
The Wombats left the UK on the 17th August on a Virgin Atlantic flight destined for Hong Kong, led by Stevie and their surrogate team leader, Gemma! We arrived at the YMCA Salisbury, in the heart of Hong Kong, in time for the wombats to split into smaller groups and go out for dinner. Some of them made their way over to the Hong Kong Hard Rock Café and walk of fame.
The next morning the Wombats took in the sights and sounds of Hong Kong on a fabulous tour which included a visit to Aberdeen fishing village, a tram ride and boat ride. We ended the tour at the enchanting Stanley market where a few of the group got some bargains!
There was no time to rest as we embarked on the next leg of our journey to Australia. We boarded our next plane to Sydney where we met Ben and Sarah who then accompanied us to our destination, Melbourne. Everyone was a little tired but a bus trip over to the domestic terminal soon sorted us all out!
Melbourne was a lot cooler than Hong Kong so after the team put on a lot more layers on they had free time in the magnificent city to look around and take in the sights. For most of us it was about staying awake! The next morning the Wombats made a visit to the Melbourne Children’s Hospital where they met some of the families and children on the oncology wards. Here they passed on the gifts they had brought from home. A group meal that night to an Italian on Lygon Street ensured that everyone got to know each other and lots of pictures were taken. A large group then headed for the Karoke bars of China Town!
The final day in Melbourne was spent on the Neighbours tour where, much to the teams delight, we met Dr Karl Kennedy and did the tour of Ramsey Street. Some people screamed when they saw Dr Karl and he sure did have lots of pictures with the group!
On the 23rd August the Wombats headed out of Melbourne to start their conservation work with CVA. We stayed in the Anglis Lodge at the wonderful Lady Northcote Recreation camp near Geelong in the state of Victoria. It was a bit cold but Sarah and Ben ran around putting on all the heaters and it was home sweet home for a week! Every evening we would cook dinner in the most cramped of conditions but the meals were fabulous and so was the fun trying to cook them! There is not a lot you can do with one frying pan and a pot!
The week of conservation was enjoyed by all. With the help of Conservation Volunteers Australia, the team members really made a difference to our carbon footprint with one group planting 880 trees in just one day! Along with tree planting the wombats also helped build and maintain pathways at wildlife sanctuaries. We also managed to fit in a talent show in the evening with the most fabulous DJ Cheeseballs and Team Bruce!
After all of the hard work at conservation, on the 28th August the Wombats headed for Sydney via another small plane journey. We stayed at the Sydney YHA, as is tradition with TJF and the team had some free time before making their own pizzas for dinner. Over the next week the Wombats enjoyed all that Sydney had to offer including, the opera house, Bondi and the awesome bridge climb. A few of us even managed to watch An Ozzy Rules match. We also had the privilege of going to the Sydney Jewish museum where we met a holocaust survivor who told us her harrowing story. It provoked a lot of emotion and made the Oz kids realise and appreciate what they have got.
One of the highlights for the group was the dinner onboard Sydney 2000 where all three teams that were in Sydney together enjoyed a night on the water and it was our chance to say goodbye to Sarah and Ben who were heading home the next day!
Our final evening was spent up the revolving tower where we had a lovely buffet dinner surrounded by spectacular views of Sydney at night. It was very fitting and finished off the trip off a life time for the Wombats. The next day we boarded our plane home on a non-stop flight to London Heathrow.
It was a great trip and we enjoyed sharing the experience with all of you.