The summer of 2000 marked an important event of my life. I was going to visit Austraila and New Zealand,
as a United States Student Ambassador. Truly an honor to be chosen to represent my country and share
my experiences, culture, and ideas about the world, not only with the other ambassadors
in my delegation, but with the many people we would meet along the way.
This trip also marked the beginning of what i like to call, the Cali-Jersey Connection, in which two groups,
one from Southern California and one from New Jersey came together to share the experience.
This is a record of the journey.
(Duration: July 18-August 8)
Tuesday July 18, 2000: Departure from LAX - Wednesday July 19: En route
Tuesday and Wednesday we would spend on board the QUANTAS 747
(Queensland and Northern Territory Airline Service)
A day is lost crossing the international date line.
Thursday July 20: Sydney
Upon arrival at the airport we met with our delegation manager, Matt, and started our visit. The first stop was to famous Bondi Beach, which was the site of the 2000 Olympics Beach Volleyball competition. After visitng Bondi, we boarded our coach and visited The Gap, the entrance to Sydney Harbor where Captian Cook overlooked in his 1770 voyage. A stop at the Australian Museum, allowed us time to get to know each other as well as learn about Aboriginal culture. We then boarded a harbor cruise and took a spectacular cruise around Sydney Harbor. And ended the evening at the Darling Harbor complex, where we dined with the fishes - had dinner in the aquarium.
Friday July 21: Sydney
Friday was the beginning of a full-day of activities within Sydney. We began our day with a delegation photo at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a large stone bench overlooking Syndey Harbor. We then visited Costello's, a nationally recognized authority on Australian gemstones, for a cutting and polishing demo of the Opal - Austrialia's national gem stone. From Costello's we moved onto the highlight of the day - the world famous Sydney Opera House. At the opera house, we were given an extensive tour of the grounds as well as the interior (sorry guys no photos of the inside allowed). Upon leaving the opera house, we boarded our coach and departed for Stadium Australia and the site of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games! From Stadium Austrialia we traveled on to Australia's Wildlife Park to enjoy some of the country's unique fauna. Before retiring for the day, we all joined for dinner at Planet Hollywood.
Saturday July 22: Tamworth farmstay
Saturday morning we boarded our now trusty coach and depart for Tamworth. Along the way we ride along the New England Highway to Queensland, passing small towns which reflect the names of those early settlers of Australia from Great Britian. Before reaching the farm, we are greetted at the Scone Information Centre for a civic welcome. After a lunch of meat pies - yum, we head off to meet our farmstay hosts and a chance to enjoy the Great Australian Outdoors! Dinner was held at the main farm house, and was followed by all boarding our coach and some kangaroo watching.
Sunday July 23: Tamworth Farmstay
Monday July 24: Toowoomba Homestay
Tuesday July 25: Toowoomba Homestay
Our home stay continued as we became better acquainted with our family. My homestay experience was very interesting, our homestay dad was a single parent, built his own house - huge, and worked in construction.
Wednesday July 26: Bundaberg
In the morning we bid farewell to our homestay families and head off for Bundaberg. Along the way we stop at a pineapple plantation on the Sunshine Coast and have the chnace to learn about pineapple production in general, as well as its history in Australia. Finally arriving in Bundaberg, located on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, it is famous for sugar cane production.
Thursday July 27: Fraser Island
Thursday brought another exciting day. We depart for lady Musgrave Island, an uninhabited cay that sits on a large lagoon. After our ecological eduaction and intro to coral life, we dawn our snorkeling gear and do what many people only dream of - explore the world famous Great Barrier Reef! After our snorkeling experience, we travel to Hervey Bay and borad a catamaran for Fraser Island, where dinner was waiting upon arrival.
Friday July 28: Fraser Island
An 4WD excursion through Fraser Island National Park awaited us in the morning. Following our excursion we took part in exploring the rainforests, white sandy beaches, and freshwater lakes of the Fraser Island - the world's largest sand island.
Saturday July 29: Brisbane
In the morning, we once again board our catamaran, pass through Hervey Bay, and return to the mainland. Stopping for lunch on the marina near Mooloolaba, we travel on to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Before dinner we are given an orinentaion tour of the city and then dine overlooking the Brisbane River. That night we all gathered together, as we bid farewell to Matt our tour guide - in preparation for the second leg of our ambassador duties - New Zealand.
Sunday July 30: Sydney/Auckland
Early morning was the time set for our travel to Auckland, New Zealand. Unfortunately, not everyone was up and ready for the coach ride to the airport, as myself, Mike, and Chris were late the bus and had to board only after our leaders had sent someone, Leon, up to wake us up, as only he knew best, "You guys are late! Everyone is on the bus!" All while laughing on the floor.
We board another QANTAS flight to Auckland, New Zealand
Monday July 31: Wellington
Upon arriving in Auckland, we climb aboard a train, the Overlander Train, and travel the length of the first island....Auckland to Wellington.
Tuesday August 1: Wellington
Our day in Wellington began with a visit to the Te Papa National Museum. Following lunch, we headed for an eco-cultural program with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Next we headed to Parliament, where we were introduced to the culture, politics, and history of New Zealand. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, built on the hillsides surrounding Wellington Harbor.The nite was concluded at the Skyline Resturant, which was reached by cable car, and offered amazing views of the surrounding area.
Wednesday August 2: Napier
We head out to the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, where we learn how they care for endangered animals, most notable the Kiwi. We are also introduced to the Classic Sheepskin Tannery and are given an education on how sheepskin are washed, treated, and dried; to provide wool and sheepskin products.
Thursday August 3: Rotorua
We journey north to Taupo for the most exhilirating part of our journey - Huka Jet Boat ride up the Waikato River to the amazing Huka Falls. We then traveled on to Taupo Observatory, which is devoted to the study of geothermal energy. Next we continued onto Rotoura where we received a civic welcome from a Rotoura City Council representative.
Friday August 4: Rotorua
We started the morning with a 4WD trek up Mount Tarawera. Although it is quite foggy, we were able to walk around the volcano craters' edge and view the destruction done by the 1886 eruption. From there we travel to the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, home of the Lady Knox Geyser and the Champange Pool.
Later we travel onto our Marae where we will stay the night. A Marae is a part of the Maori village. We are welcomed with a formal welcoming ceremony, where we responded with a song. We were intorduced to the history of the Maori, culture and practices, and then joined our hosts in a traditional Maori dinner. Our Hangi Dinner: food steamed in an underground pit using hot stones, was absolutely delicious! After dinner our hosts entertained us with some of their traditional dances and songs and allowed us to take part in their song and dance.
Saturday August 5: Tauranga
After breakfast at the Marae, we depart and visit Paradise Valley Springs, a wildlife sanctuary. At Skyling Complex, we rode up Mount Ngongathaha and enjoyed lunch and then took luge rides to the bottom of the mountain. I found this to be more fun than i expected, as i raced with some friends and ...oh man i hope that old guy was ok! We then visited the Agrodome Sheep Show...yes you read that right...for an intro into New Zealand's agriculutral base. Finally we travel onto Tauranga to meet our host families.
Sunday August 6: Tauranga
vs. 
August 6 marked the day of the Big Game, New Zealand All Blacks vs. Austrailia Wallabies (rugby). We spent part of the day at the beach and enjoyed a hike and then a picnic. Then returned home for the game. Nothing was more important today than this game. It turned out to be quite a good game and marked my first rugby watching experience.
Monday August 7: Auckland
After breakfast we bid farewell to our host families and continue northward to Auckland. We spent part of the day at the Marine Eduction and Recreation Centre focusing on some team building activities - which i found quite strange since we did this at the end of the trip - go figure. Following dinner we were entertained by the "Theatresports" a yound troupe of actors.
Tuesday August 8: Auckland
Before leaving for home, we take a trip to Kelly Tarlton's Underwaterworld, a world famous aquarium, in which the namesake turned part of the sewer system into the now famous aquarium. After the aquarium we are given a city tour and time to pick up some last minute gifts and souvenirs. We then make our way to Auckland International Airport and board another QANTAS 747 for our return trip to Los Angeles. The end of truly an amazing journey - one that i will never forget.