We have landed!

we will update the blog a bit later today, but we have safely arrived in Cairns. We've already found the local pool and the students are currently exploring the city!

One more flight!

We made it to Sydney! We had a wonderful flight and after customs and security, we thought we'd missed our connecting flight. However, the folks at Quantas are the greatest people in the world and managed to hold the plane, get our bags on the flight, and send us on our way to Cairns.

Three hours until we reach our destination!

One flight down!

Just getting ready to take off on our 15 hour flight to Sydney! Then another three hours to Cairns.

Starting our journey in Boston!

See you in a few days!

Tomorrow is the day!

At this time tomorrow, we will be en route to Los Angeles with a brief stop before the 15 hour flight to Sydney!!

A Post for all the Parents

In case your son or daughter didn't tell you, this is a good place to check on the status of the trip.  Based on our access to internet connection, there will be a few posts each day.  Upon arrival, I will post something letting you know that we have arrived.

And for those who are interested, here are the dates that each student will be blogging:

March 13 (arrival/Cairns): Heather McFarlane
March 14 (Cairns Highlands and The Outback Cattle Station): Cherie Jones and Diane Peterson
March 15 (Port Douglas): Ari Turner and Louisa Carroll
March 16 (Daintree Rainforest): Sara Culhane and Sean Walsh
March 17 (Mossman Gorge): Paige Frabetti and Austin Boisvert
March 18 (Wildlife Rescue Program): Sarah Vita and Ellie Persil
March 19 (Great Barrier Reef): Brandon Currier and Kate Smith
March 20 (Cairns/Departure Day): Rachel Tirocchi and Kevin Crandall

Pre-reflections on the upcoming trip

Here are some responses to the question, "what are you most excited about?"

• I am most excited about leaving the snow.  During my years as an NEC student, I have learned that I am not a person made to live in cold climates (hence the whole graduate school in the Caribbean).  Furthermore, I am excited to see a new way of life/culture.  I've traveled to many other countries/places and I love learning new ideas from other people.  I want to be able to make new memories.

• I'm really excited to see all the different animals and sea creatures.  I'm excited to be out of the country for the first time.  I can't wait to visit the animal rescue place.

• I'm most excited about exploring the Great Barrier Reef and to see what type of culture eastern Australia has to offer. 

• I'm excited for the snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.  I'm also hoping to get a better understanding of the aboriginal culture and experience what their everyday lifestyle is like.

• I'm most excited about spending our time in Australia learning about the culture and ways.  I can't wait to delve into the culture and spend time in nature.  I am really excited about going to the Great Barrier Reed and also the animal rescue center.  I'm looking forward to sleeping under the stars and seeing all sorts of different types of animals.  I'm most excited about the fact that I'm going to Australia!!! It's crazy.  We are so close and won't have to look at the snow for ten days!

• I'm most excited about seeing kangaroos and koala bears.  I am also excited about snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.  I love the ocean and am excited to see what the other side of the world looks like.

• I am excited about being able to experience a new culture.  I would have to say that I am most excited about learning the different constellations in the southern hemisphere. I am excited to learn what it is like to leave the United States.  I don't really know what to expect.

• I am so excited to go on this trip! I am most excited about the photography opportunities, the food, and attempting to understand a different culture. I am also excited to spend time with the people on this trip.  The best memories of these trips come from within the group.

• I am most excited about the animal sanctuary and the fact that Australia is the number one place I've always wanted to visit. I can't wait to see what the Great Barrier Reef looks like!