Bye Bye Aussie Bye Bye

And so it came to pass that the 22 pilgrims left the promised land of Oz. Early alarm calls were followed by getting a packed breakfast from Mrs Kendry and clearing the rooms for the last time on this trip. The bus was on schedule and we all set out for Brisbane Airport. Here we had to say farewel to Blake and Vanessa who are staying on in Australia and also to Carlotte who had a bit of a wait before getting the Emirates flight back - First Class Luvvy!

The flight from Brisbane to Brunei seemed fine - I slept for a lot of it. Good service and loads of food so can't complain. Group now waiting (2 hours) for last leg home. All looking forward to being greeted at Dubai Airport. I am sure all the parents have missed their offspring and we as the acompanying staff are so proud of our English College girls.

See you in Dubai!

Day 2 in Paradise

A late get up was followed by all going for breakfast of Pancakes - as many as you can eat. Everybody received three at first and then ordered more if they wanted. Only Miss Wilgrove and Mr Kendry managed to eat more - 5 each! In the photos you can see Alice really liked the pancakes too. We then walked down to Surfers Paradise Beach where we took photos and set up base camp. We then had a relatively chilled day including last minute shopping, sunbathing and swimming. Some even had a 2hr surf lesson, while some hired boogie boards. Vanessa got buried in the sand and a mermaid was built over her - very artistic. Alice found some of the afternoon a little tedious but she enjoyed the coke and her new brown boots.

Today we were also joined by some of the lads from the Rugby tour who have stayed in Australia; not sure if they were planning on seeing the Pope.

Then it was back to our rooms for an afternoon sleep, pack and prepare for Roshannah's birthday meal at The Hard Rock Cafe. This was an excellent time with everyone eating too much and swilling the jugs of "soda" that came our way. A little sing-song by the whole restaurant to Roshannah as she stood on her chair and then Natasha gave a short speech of thanks for the trip before it was off again for more photos and back to finish off the packing.

Surfers Paradise and some rest at last

For the last time, we met at All Saints to get the bus to Surfers Paradise. The journey only took about half an hour but what a difference to the peace and tranquility of Mudgeeraba! Our hotel is not quite 5 Star but it is excellently located for shops, restaurants and the beach.

After checking in and a quick orientation session, free time ensued. Most took the opportunity to get some sleep before the afternoon session of shopping either just across the road or at the much mentioned Pacific Fair. Miss Wilgrove and Mrs Kendry took a few girls to see the new Batman film, Dark Knight which is apparently brilliant. Miss Watson took others on a Brown Boot Hunt. Eventually Thalia was happy with her purchase.

We all met again at 7pm before going seperate ways for our evening meals. Quite a few of the hosts had come up to see our girls again - returning items that had been left behind but really because they were really missing them! This possibly difficult time with the girls being hosted had turned out to be a resounding success.

Dreamworld

Today we met at All Saints - their first day of the new term - before hopping on a bus which took us to the famous theme park, Dreamworld. A sunny morning was an excellent omen for a good day ahead.

Once inside the park, most girls headed for the scary rides. First came the big drop which is the highest vertical drop ride in the world. You are taken up over 39 stories and then held for a while before being dropped at speeds reaching 140kph. Thanks Hannah for screaming in my ear on the way down! Just as well it was a light breakfast as I left my stomach somewhere near the top of the tower. Next came the log flume which saw all of the girls getting soaked and then on to the motor bike ride to "pull some g's". Other scary ones included the Claw and Wipeout (Elise sat next to a young lad who vomited!!) before the real hard core girls conquered the Tower of Terror. This ride sends a 6 tonne car accelerating from 0 - 160 kph in 7 seconds along a horizontal track and then straight up and back down. Great screaming girls.

The park also contains some of Australia's indigenous animals like kangaroos, crocodiles, emus and so on and you can cuddle a Koala! This was a hugely popular part of the park but many of the girls then hurried back to take on the Tower of Terror again. Others went to the animal shows like the crocodile experience where again you could hold a baby croc, Tiger Land which saw a great display by two Bengal Tigers and then the Cougar show (see pics).

At this point it started to rain but we had obviously all been good as this came after we had finished on the rides. A slower bus ride home and then everyone was collected by their hosts for the last night at their homes. Tomorrow we will be off to surfers Paradise for 2 nights at Islander Inn. It is only about 20 minutes down the road so we may well be visited by some of the All Saints girls.

Carnival Day

We gathered once again at All Saints School for the Carnival. This meant that with 9 teams taking part everyone would get 7 games and, while scores were kept during the matches,they were not recorded and their would be no prizes, no winners just lots of new friends and good fun for all.

Games took place either on the indoor court or on one of the 4 outside courts. There were some amazing kits but our girls definitely looked the best. Then it was down to the games in which our teams played out of their skins none less so than Roshannah Cox who got the nomination as our player of the tournament for the B squad. She was fantastic!! Alix and Steph continued to slot home the goals whilst Elise and (Captain) Vicky stopped them at the other end. In Centre Court, Roshannah was ably assisted by Marina, Rachel and the non-stop Aisling who must have run the equivalent of a marathon in the unaccustomed position of Centre. Whilst we did not win, the girls competed well and kept the scores to an acceptable level against such quality opposition.

In the A squad, Sarah Richardson played brilliantly in this exulted company as did Charlotte who reminded me of the EverReady Bunny with her non-stop approach. Natasha got the vote as Player of the Tournament for her tireless play and all the goals she scored but these were the result of excellent feeding by Blake and Vanessa. Hannah also had an excellent day's play making so many interceptions and blocks. Chantal defended superbly, showing a ruthless streak at times. I thought this was a non-contact sport! Kim had to come off when she slipped and fell. She thought she had hurt herself - but infact hadn't. When she kept her feet in later matches, she played really well.

It was really amusing to see the girls tippy-toeing their way around the court when it rained - another first for them on this tour. The rain did, however, really set in after 5 rounds of matches, so the event was curtailed with all matches happening indoors and slightly shorter. So in the end, everyone had 6 matches and our A team won 3 and lost 3. All of the girls will tell you they had great fun and felt their games improved due to the quality of the opposition.

Having heard all the quotes 'Come on first team', 'I'm in the second team' and so on, Thalia and Aryel decided to get a picture of The Third Team. Definitely the best looking team of all!

Our girls gave a plaque to each of the teams they played and a memento key-ring to each of their opponents. These went down really well and more invitations were extended for future tours.

The girls were then collected by their hosts to have tea (they had already supplied a selection of packed lunches) and a relaxing evening as the All Saints girls go back to school tomorrow and we have to meet at 08.30 to go off to Dreamworld. Can't wait!!

Beach Day

Today we were due tomeet at 10.00 at the beach at Gold Coast. As the teachers arrived, they received calls from a number of hosts parents apologising that their billets would be late as they could not wake them!!

The beach itself was magnificent with views of Surfers Paradise (where we will be staying for our last 2 nights) and into New South Wales (we are now in Queensland). Aisling and Charlotte made Mr Kendry green with envy as when they had their breakfast on the terrace at their host family's home 3 humpback whales had slipped by. After a quick game of touch footy, it was time for a barbecue provided by All Saints. Lovely tucker mate - and no vegamite in sight!

Then it was back to the beach for some more paddling and swimming (very cold) before going off for the afternoon with our hosts for a variety of activities. In the evening, everyone met up for a meal in Gold Coast before an early night as we have a tournament tomorrow.

Sydney to Brisbane and Netball at last!

Today was our last day at the wonderful Railway Square YHA. Natasha and Chantal had created an English College memento to leave for posterity which the whole party signed (look for it when you next visit). We then got a bus to the Domestic airport and our flights to Brisbane. Mr and Mrs Kendry took 10 girls and then Miss Watson and Miss Wilgrove took the remaining 8 girls as we cold not all get booked on the same flight at this very busy time. Once reunited in Brisbane, the group set off by bus to All Saints School on the Gold Coast.

The school was magnificent with superb sports facilities (typical of the Aussie schools). Mr Kendry got some ideas which he will be suggesting to Mr Forbes and the Board!! At last we were able to get on the Netball court against a group of club players coached by Mrs Sole who used to be at DC - but she is alright really! The girls had there work cut out competing with this team but persevered and had some excellent passages of play including 3 goals in a minute by Alix Paine.

Following this, Natasha Robinson gave a brief speech and presented the captain with an English College plaque while each of their players received a souvenir key ring from Dubai. After the obligatory photo shoot, the girls aired up with their hosts and set off to find their new homes for the next 4 nights. All had phone numbers to stay in touch before we meet again on the beach tomorrow.

Pictures of Sydney Day 3

Pictures from Sydney Day 3

Sydney Day 3

Today was a bit of a girlie day! Mr Kendry found some "paper work" to do while the rest of the party went for a few hours of shopping! A quick lunch and then on the train again to Bondi Junction. From here we got a bus to Bronte and then did a coastal walk around to Bondi Beach. Wow - what views!! Many of the girls took artistic shots while Vicky managed to get photos of "surfer dudes".

At Bondi we did the necessary photo shoot and took the opportunity to dip our feet in the South Pacific Ocean - so cold!! Some lovely pictures which we will post later. It was amazing to see the fitness/sports facilities everywhere along our walk and the beach itself. Kim took the opportunity to do some Bungy-trampolining while Vicky and Chantal went off in search of a Lifeguard to tend to their wounds.

After a walk around Bondi town, we got on the bus and travelled back to Sydney and home. Then it was dinner time. Hannah and Aryel dragged a few of us to somewhere they had seen cheap food - it was an Irish Pub! Girls had a good meal and a drink(soft!!) for just $5.95. Other girls stayed with Miss Watson and had pies. the Y10 girls cooked their first ever meal - beans on toast.

After dinner, the girls made friends with some Ultimate Frisbee players. Good to see the EC girls being so sociable!!

Photos from Sydney Day 2

Sydney Day 2

Day 2 required an early start with breakfast at 07.15! We then got the train to Sydney Harbour Bridge ready for our Bridge Climb. We all donned boiler suits and practised climbing ladders safely before heading off for the climb which entailed a 3.5km walk with many ladder climbs and traverses of the steelwork with just a mesh floor below us. Miss Wilgrove looked petrified but like a Ginger Ninja she stuck to the task and completed safely. We had pictures at the top (134 m above the ground) which we have all got to bring home. A fantastic morning's activity.

Lunch was at "Pancakes on the rocks" one of Miss Watson's old haunts so we quickly put back the 600 calories we had just burnt off. Then it was a short walk around the harbour to the Opera House for more photo opportunities. We also had the pleasure of a number of street entertainers with an Aboriginal theme as this is Native Australian Awareness Week.

How impressive is the Sydney Opera House? Very!! Thalia did think we had to be in Black Tie and Ball Gowns to go in!

Next it was a trip on a ferry around the bay to Darling Harbour and then back to the YHA. After a short rest it was out into China Town for a meal using chopsticks. All good fun and then an early night as tomorrow is shopping day - (I can't wait, says JK) and Bondi Beach.

More tomorrow. G'Day from Oz.

Sydney Day 1

Very busy day today! It began with a breakfast unique to most of the girls..they had to make their own toast and wash up their own DISHES! Alix was paricularly vigilant when scrubbing her bowl. Then off we trooped to the Olympic park. Vicky experienced her first ever train ride. We had a private tour of the stadiums including sitting in Jonny Wilkinson and David Beckham's locker room chair...which made everyone's day! We then had a lesson by the tour guide on how to hand pass the ball in Aussie Rules which was paricularly amusing!

After lunch we visited the Aquarium... we saw lots of native Australian species!

We walked around Darling Harbour where we shopped where they all bought Ugg boots...no worries though they are not real ones. We had dinner and then walked back exhausted.

Some of the girls were very intrigued by the Laundry Room and they are enjoying their experiences in a hostel.

Off to climb the Harbour bridge tomorrow...hope it does not rain!

The group at the Grand Mosque

Here are the girls during their Day Tour around Brunei. This was at the Grand Mosque which was awesome - as are the girls!!

Day in Brunei

We arrived this morning at 10.00 to find that Royal Brunei were just as eficient here as in Dubai. Still, with a bit of persuasion we got our tour as well as the use of the hotel - Traders Inn. It actually looks better on the internet than for real!!

On the tour we started at McDonalds and then went to see the Sultan's Palace, the museum and the Grand Mosque. All in all a good day and now we are waiting for our flight to Brisbane having had a sleep and a shower.

Photos to follow. Hope all parents are happy.

Here is the tour party (minus Vicky who was sick on the day of the photos). Don't they look lovely.

Not too many tears at the airport please parents.

30 hours 'til Costa!

Hope everyone is getting excited now! Still working on the booklet Miss Wilgrove put together and Steve Doo formatted. Taking ages to print.

Don't forget to wear the travelling shirt (burgundy) and track pants. Hand luggage needs to contain anything you need in Brunei (I am avoiding saying underwear) as our main luggage will go straight through to Brisbane.

Passports!!

I'll remember my shaver so I don't end up like on Everest.

JK

60 hours 'til meet up time

The Netball tour party are all busy packing their bags ready for the trip "Down Under". Meeting point is Costa Coffee - upstairs in Departures at Dubai International Airport. See you there! JK

Oh and Alix - yes, you do need a passport to get in to Australia.