Trips To Australia

Kirstie Bennett's experience

I've never had a better two and a half weeks in my life, it was truly a life changing experience. I met some definite friends for life, and were all missing each other so much already that we've got a little reunion sorted for in a couple of weeks. Thank you so much for putting me in a room with chloe in singapore, from the moment we met we were inseparable, and because were both from derby it's so easy to stay in contact.

I conquered some of my biggest fears on the trip, including heights when I climbed the beast that is the sydney harbour bridge! It was so scary, but once I was on the top looking over sydney the fear had gone and I was just amazed by the view. I think the conservation part of the trip was my favourite. Here we were able to get back to nature and I really got to know the people I was with. I loved the aboriginal festival and enjoyed starting everyone dancing to the wombat wobble with chloe.

The actual work was hard but felt so good once it was finished, and the cooking was easy in comparison and our cooking group had such a laugh preparing the first meal and last breakfast. One of the best bits of conservation week was climbing up the mountain, which eventually faced us with the most amazing view I have ever seen over the bush. It felt like walking up mount everest on our way up, but me and a few other people thought it'd be fun to run down. It was but we were shattered at the bottom.

After we left conservation we were mixed with sadness as we had to leave the lovely birrigai, but we were all so excited for sydney and all the experiences it was going to offer us. I'm so glad i did all the things you suggested! The tower meal was gorgeous and let us have our first glimpse of sydney at night which was amazing. The jet boat ride was so much fun, even though I did have a horrid hangover and stupidly sat at the front, meaning I got off soaking wet.

The trip to Bondi beach was hilarious, I didn't, but a load of my mates went into the freezing sea. Mad heads! The jewish museum was so much better than I expected it to be, it was such a moving experience, and I couldn't stop crying. Even the boys were crying!! And the last night cruise was just the best end to the trip!! We all got to catch up on what had happened over the trip and get some last photos as we sailed past the sydney opera house!

So thankyou so much!! I wish I could go again!! And i know everyone else that i was with most of the time thought the same! You all do so much and I just want you to know that it has paid off and I feel I've come back a changed person. I thought Gareth and Claire were such good team leaders. Gareth had me in fits (once I could understand his harsh welsh accent that is) and Claire was always up for a laugh with us. I couldn't find a fault with the trip, it was so well organised, you'd thought of absolutely everything.

I hope the charity carries on growing and if there is ever anything I can do to help I'm here. I would love to be a team leader one day, even if just to repay my thanks to you.

So once again thankyou so much!! I feel like a woman ready for the big bad world now, rather than a silly teenager that took things for granted for so long!

Many thanks and much love

Kirstie Bennett

p.s I've attached some of my favourite photos of the trips for you.

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