Australia Road Trip

---

Sydney to Melbourne

Journal # 37 2/8/06

We have been in Australia now for 2 1/2 weeks and so far it's very interesting. The Australians drive on the wrong side of the road, which is the right side and they talk in an Australian accent. They have large rat-like bouncing animals that they call kangaroos and they have pig-like wombats. They have koalas that walk like bears. Austalia is very similar to the USA; they have the same technology, wear the same clothes, watch the same movies and eat the same food, only they have meat pies which are very good. The money is made out of a plasticy material and the coins go from the smallest being worth the most and the biggest being worth the least. Everything is more expensive than the USA. For example, a pair of men's boxers cost $39.00, about the same as staying two nights in a 4 star hotel in China. Food, clothes, movies, and everything else is more expensive, but the minimum wage here is 3 times as much as in the USA. Around $16 an hour.

Two days ago I went to the Sydney Zoo and saw all of the animals native to Australia. Sydney is were the famous Opera House is. The whole exterior is covered with tiles.

Australia's history is interesting. The British, about 200 years ago sent many of its convicts and law breakers here.

Journal #38 2/9/06

Yesterday we visited the Blue Mountains. They look blue from a distance which is caused by the gasses that the gum trees give off. We hiked on a trail that went by the Three Sisters, three large pllars of rock. We hiked down the 1000 steps trail to the rain forest. I took a coal mining cart back to the top of the canyon while Mom, Dad, and Natalie walked back up. The coal cart is said to be the steepest in the world. It was pulled up the cliff by a cable.

While camping we met Al Polito, a musician from California. We listened to music and played cards.

Jenolan Caves were our next stop. I did a little school and then visited the caves. There was a big stalagmite that lookes like an angel. There was a bottle that was left for 40 years which turned into a stalagmite.

Journal # 39 2/14/06

We are now staying in Canberra which is the capital of Australia. We did school work in the biggest library of Australia, The National Library. We visited the old and new Parliament House and the National War Musuem.

Our campground in Canberra was full of large ants (one bit Natalie and her toe swelled up) and noisy cockatoos. They sound like someone laughing or crying. Ausrtralia is home to the largest number of poisoness snakes so we have to watch our step at night.

We have been looking for kangaroos and have seen mostly dead ones on the road. Mom had two lists, one for live animals and one for road kill. The road kill list is made up of echidnas, wallabies, kangroos, snakes, wombats, cockatoos,and more. The live list includes platypus, kangaroos, wallabies and many, many birds.

2/18/06

We are now in Melbourne staying at a Youth Hostel which is more like a yuppy youth hostel. Very fancy.

---

Photos

Bird
The campground had an aviary. Dozens of these parrots fly over camp.

Cockatoos
They are considered a pest by the farmers.

Mom and Natalie
They can't function without coffee in the morning.

1000 Steps
They went on forever descending into the rain forest.

Wombat Burrow
They are everywhere and easy to step in.

Comments

[Nancy Schwarz]

Hi Paris, Now this looks like a place i would want to go! I just heard about a new book yesterday that you guys should look into reading. Its called Honeymoon with my brother. Its all about 2 brothers that travel around the world for 2 years. I am going to read it..they also have a website if you want to check it out. honeymoonwithmybrother.com. I heard them interviewing on the radio and they sound funny... Thats all for now...signing off...

[Sharon Maybaum]

You look rather spoiled living in a house over the ocean. Platypus swimming, that would be a sight! The pregnant statue looks like a real person. I would love to visit Australia, I'm jealous. Natalie write home!!!!

[Uncle Dave]

Paris traveller & reporter fun to read!
What a great adventure you are having,Paris.We are reading your travelblogs with relish! uncle dave,aunt helen

[Francie Cole]

Worm caves
Looks like a fantastic trip wish I was there. Don't miss the Witomo worm caves in Rotorua, New Zealand. If you get up early you might get to see a few sheep.