Trip log by Andrea's group

30 May

We gained valuable information on studying in sydney. We learnt that studying overseas is not easy as it requires you to be independent and self-disciplined; you have to cook your own meals, look after yourself, manage your own money etc. However, it may be a fun and enriching experience where you meet many different people from different cultures. The unsw iss, support group for international students , left a very good impression on us,with their 'motto' arrive,survive ,thrive. It assured us that there would be someone around to give us support. Overall, it really was an eye-opener and a great experience.

31 May

First destination. Sydney fish market! We went on a tour round the fish market. Like we all know, the only fish market which is bigger than this is the fish market in japan. Unlike japan, which auctions off its wares by voice, the sydney fish market uses an auction clock to carry out the auctions. We realized that the market made use of technology to help them achieve maximun efficiency in selling off their products.

Trees...seas...birds...ferns...mountains...MOTHER NATURE Yup! Mother nature! Our next stop was the blue mountains. Here, we went on a LIGHT & EASY hike led by park rangers. We saw witches' leap, the three sisters, other mountain ranges and so on... We even took a railway which climbs up at an angle of around 50 degrees. Next we went to another town where we were given a brief introduction to aboriginal culture.

Throughout the whole blue mountains tour. We learnt about the biodiversity of australia and how they are taking measures to conserve their environment. They are even learning from the aboriginal people.

To conclude we had a most meaningful trip today where we came real close to mother nature.

1 June

Wow....just attended the aboriginal art workshop, very interactive and interesting. I learnt a lot about their culture but what struck me the most was the Musical instrument, the long pipe thing. It is amazing to see how a long pipe can actually produce so much sounds and tunes. It is simply rather ingenious of the aborigines, being able to convey so much stuff through different sounds.

We visited sydney opera house and had a behind the scene tour. GOSH! It was huge, having 6 theatres and the capacity to house 6000 people, it was simpley breathtaking!!! The art scene in australia is simply vibrant, seeing both the aboriginal and western arts flourishing. The arts is higgly encouraged in australia as we can see classes of students flocking to the NSW museum and we know literaturre is a must take subject for students. Somehow I feel that the arts flow in their blood.

LAST STOP!
Visited the migrant centre. Although it was rather tiring, I gain a valuable experience from it, learning how migrants aren’t given a helping hand in surviving in australia. I also learnt many stuff and troubles that the migrants faced.

IN ALL, it was a fun day, just a little tiring. NIL SINE LABORE:)

2 June

Alright, I guess that this blog will need some new fonts other than Arial and Times New Romans so I shall type in 13375l*34l<, just kidding.

We woke up cold and hungry in the wee hours in the morning and were welcomed with tasty, hot breakfast. Much better than what we've been eating so far. After which we set off on our long journey to Hunter Valley Zoo where we saw many native animals of Australia like the Dingos, Emus and Koalas. I was amazed at the different adaptations that each animal had that allowed it to survive in Australia's dry and arid environment. For example, the wombat has rear facing pouches that prevents the joey from being swamped with soil and scum when the mother is digging it's burrow with her front legs.

Soon we were off to Hunter Valley Cheese Co. to try some of their cheeses. One of the types of cheeses that i'll never forget is the blue cheese. Although it was the milder version, I think I won't be eating blue cheese for a long time... ...

To clear the "splendid" taste from my mouth we all went for a splendid barbie lunch which translates from 4(_)5513 5l*34l< into bbq! Woots! To my surprise, Australian barbie chicken tastes like char siew! Splendid!

To add onto the splendid experience, we went to a vineyard to learn how wine was made. They pick the grapes, separate the stalks and the skins, squish them and let them ferment in huge barrels made of 100 year old oak. \/\/0\/\/oneoneone!

After a long journey back to Sydney, we freshened up and left to have dinner and a show. We're going to watch two short plays entitled This is a Play and Never Swim Alone. This is a play where the actors are aware of themselves being in a play. Great fun with lots of laughs. The second play, Never Swim Alone, was on a more serious note. I felt that it was about competition within society, betrayal of friendship and everything it takes to be the first. A play that gets you thinking... ...

3 June
Woke up in a cold morning, had the same kind hotel breakfast, hurry got on the coach. And today is Ahmad's amazing birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

We arrived at Western Sydney Nursery and garden at about eight. From the official we get the information that the forest area in Sydney is decreasing in a great speed, thus a lot of environmental conservation work need to be done. In order to help Australia to save their forest, we spent our whole morning transplanting the grass into separated cups. And we did over one thousands cups, everyone must have done at least 80 over. WELL DONE EVERYBODY!
We got to the water in a winter Australia afternoon! So that we could got some points for our mysterious 3 task. And we interviewed a happy Australian family. The task is fun!!!

And we got on a SHIP in order to view the NICE SCENERY around the Sydney Opera House.

Finally at night, we all dressed up nicely and went to see the REAL OPERA in Sydney Opera House. And the show is REALLY REALLY AMAZING!!! It is the BEST show I have EVER seen in my life!!!
HOPE TOMORROW COULD BE MORE FUN!