G'Day / Goodbye

Our last full day in Australia began with a late morning wake-up call. Then it was up into the lush rainforests of Kuranda, about 1,000 feet above Cairns. A hissing rhinoceros beetle greeted us as we stepped off the bus. Students had time to shop for last minute souvenirs and TimTams before heading off to RainForeStation . Amphibious Army Ducks transported everyone through the wet tropical rainforests as our local guide pointed out exotic plants with a bit of Aussie humor. Kangaroos and wallabies roamed free on the grounds and seemed to enjoy their P2P reception. Holding a cute cuddly koala and getting a photo was the highlight of the day. Another P2P delegation joined us for our farewell dinner and “Aussie Bush Dancing.” A fun time was had by all as you can see from the photos.

Karla and I have truly enjoyed working with your student these past few months. Our delegation manager Ben said, “Out of the 15 delegations I have led, this group by far has been the absolute best!” These cross-cultural experiences Down Under will have a lasting impact on your child’s life. It has been a pleasure to see Australia through the eyes of our outstanding Kern County youth. We hope all student ambassadors continue President Eisenhower’s mission of “promoting peace through understanding.”

Wake up call is at 3:00 a.m. – then it’s a long flight back to the States. We arrive on Qantas Flight 107 at 6:45 a.m. at LAX. Parents, we need someone to organize a Reunion party for the delegates. This will be a time for student ambassadors to reunite and share experiences and photos with each other, friends, and families. Let Karla or me know if you would be interested in hosting a get-together sometime before school starts in August.

This is my final Bakersfield Boomerang blog entry. I hope everyone enjoyed it.
No Worries, Mate!