This morning we left our hotel at 6:30 a.m. to catch our
flight to Cairns (pronounced cans). We
had an uneventful three-and-a-half-hour flight.
We were all looking forward to sunny skies and warm weather, but we
landed with cloudy skies in a drizzling rain at 25 degrees C (82 F) and a high
humidity.
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| Arial view near Melbourne |
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| Arial view of red desert in route to Cairns |
We were given a short tour through the city of Cairns and
saw many sugar cane fields on our way to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. At Hartley’s, we were fed a late dinner
buffet with beef steak, fish, and crocodile sausage. Most everyone at least tried the crocodile. We then got to go on a boat tour through the
crocodile swamp where our guide got some action out of the reptiles as well as
told us stories and habits of the crocodiles. All of the crocodiles at
Hartley’s have names; the tour guide on the boat knew all of their names and
introduced us to them as they jumped out of the water to get the food. Everyone
made it back safely from the boat tour and after that was over we went and
watched a crocodile attack show. Jesse
and his daring co-worker worked to show us how the 4-meter crocodile, Hagrid
could attack using different methods of baiting and irritation, as well as preying
methods. We also learned that crocodiles can hold their breath for 20 minutes
and has the ability to close its throat so it can grab prey while under
water. We then had the chance to walk
around and view the other animals such as Koalas, Wallabies, Kangaroos, and
various birds. While on our walk we had
the chance to look at Trinity, a 50-year-old crocodile who came to Hartley’s
after he had been tormenting water skiers.
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Hagrid the crocodile jumping up to get food.
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Mother and Baby Koala Bears
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The bus ride back to our hotel was led in song by Jimmy and
Kyle who sang whatever came to mind.
This evening we went to Tjapukai cultural park to experience
the aboriginal (Australian natives) culture.
We learned about the culture and origin of the aboriginal people. Aboriginal performers put on several
performances throughout the night. The aboriginal performers dressed in their
traditional attire with instruments of their culture. Some instruments were used for music as well
as weapons. Bayley and Angel both got pulled up on stage to lead the group
dance before our meal. After our meal Jimmy volunteered to compete in a contest
with another tourist to see who played the Didgeridoo (a long wooden flute) the
best. After the performance we had a buffet meal and were served crocodile and
kangaroo meat.
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| Group with aboriginal performers |
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| Bayley and Angel helping to lead the group dance |
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| Jimmy playing the Digeridoo |
We are all having a great time, but will be excited to get
back to the comforts or America “like miles per hour and grain fed beef”-Cara
Crystal and Halley
