Allie’s 2007 People To People trip to Australia.
In the fall of 2006, we learned about the People To People Student Ambassador program, possibly as an outgrowth of Allie’s involvement in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer programs that Allie had done in previous years. Allie was invited to participate in People To People through the recommendation of one of her teachers at GCS, so there was an extra cachet of having been recommended. I was surprised to learn they took students as young as 5th grade.
We looked at their catalog, focusing on the programs available to 5th and 6th graders. It meant she would travel with a group her age, as opposed to older middle/high schoolers, which helped us feel a little more comfortable. There weren’t a lot of choices: basically either a trip to Australia, to England/France or to some of the U.S. National Parks, including one to Hawaii for volcanoes that Allie lobbied for. Since we already had plans in mind for vacations in England, France, and Hawaii in the next couple of years, the Australia trip rose to the top of the list.
Allie and I attended an informational meeting at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Glen Burnie in November 2006, itself a small adventure as we’d never been there before. We recognized a couple of other people that had also been invited, including Sydney, and were generally impressed by the program and presentation. There was a lot of pressure to act quickly. Evidently, People To People tries to recruit for specific trips from specific geographic regions so kids are traveling with others from their vicinity — so the push was on to fill up an Australia trip with 30-40 Maryland students. After just a bit more consideration, we decided to take the plunge and apply. We put together the application which included some short questions for Allie to answer.
Within a few weeks we received news that Allie was accepted. I think maybe the biggest part of the application process was a credit check to make sure we could pay for it, but nevertheless, she made it through People To People’s rigorous selection criteria.
Allie had to do a research paper for her Geography class at school that December and decided to focus on Australia. I’m not sure if she chose the subject before or after learning about the trip. I’ve included it because it fits with the theme and because she got an A. Good work!
Preparations for Allie’s trip took place through the winter and spring. We attended monthly information workshops with Allie’s group of maybe 30 students (and their parents) from various parts of Maryland that were making the trip together. We knew one of the other kids, Maya, from Allie’s other activities (Love of Learning? Gymboree?). To get ready for the trip, the group studied about Australia but also learned the basics of traveling together in a group and being away from home.
As a sort of practice run and to build up their student ambassador credentials, the group took a field trip to Washington, D.C. for a guided tour of the Capitol on May 21. I tagged along as a chaperone of sorts but mostly I wanted the tour, too. We had a good time seeing parts of the Capitol one doesn’t always see, including some time in the House and Senate galleries.
On Sunday, June 24, 2007, the day came for the big journey to begin. We gathered at Baltimore-Washington International Airport with the whole crew. Nervous anticipation abounded — anticipation from the kids and a bunch of nervous parents.
Group photo!
The full list of kids…and the order in which they always had to line up and sound off.
Allie’s itinerary covered 19 days and eight different hotels and stops, from Melbourne to Sydney to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. We were pretty jealous. You don’t have to try to read through the itinerary entries — I’ve excerpted them for each day below.
Trip Notes and Photos from Allie
Allie kept a journal and took more than 400 photos on the trip. Unfortunately, many of the photos are blurry or dark or otherwise not very usable. I’ve salvaged the ones I could make sense of.
Sunday, June 24
At the airport(s) and on the flights. They went from Baltimore to Dallas to Los Angeles on American Airlines, then from LA to Melbourne nonstop on Qantas.
Maya and Allie
Tuesday, June 26 – Melbourne
G’day mate! Welcome to Australia, the land down under! Today, your flight arrives in cosmopolitan Melbourne, famous for fashion, tramways, horseracing and “Aussie Rules” football. Start your program discovering the Melbourne Museum. Explore a rainforest, see Phar Lap (Australia’s most famous horse), touch a dinosaur bone or live a lifetime in no time at all at Melbourne’s award-winning museum. During lunch at the Melbourne Aquarium, you will have the opportunity to experience aquatic life and ecosystems. Discover a range of unique interactive experiences, from rock pools, Dive Feed Talks and much more. An orientation of this capital city includes stops at the Yarra River, Southbank and the Arts Centre. Dine tonight with stunning 360 degree views of Melbourne.
People To People Itinerary
Here is Allie’s summary of the day from her journal…with a little slip of the tongue saying she was in Canberra rather than Melbourne. Jet lag, we’ll say.
Wednesday, June 27 – Melbourne
Start today learning about Australia’s national gemstone, the opal, during a cutting and polishing demonstration at an opal establishment. Next, discover why sports mad Melbourne people love “Aussie Rules” football and cricket so much during your experience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Finally, journey to Phillip Island to see the mystical Penguin Parade at sunset. The little animals are the smallest of the 17 species of penguins in the world (Only 13 inches tall!) and can sleep at sea, dozing as they float on the surface. Every night, the penguins waddle from the sea to their burrows in the spinifex grass. In an effort to preserve this natural phenomenon and avoid disturbing the penguins, no photos may be taken of the parade. Remember to dress warmly to watch this event!
People To People Itinerary
Thursday, June 28 – Melbourne
Rise and shine, its time for school! Today, you have the opportunity to experience the Australian education system at a Victoria School. Learn all about the subjects and the classes, and best of all meet Australian students.
People To People Itinerary
Friday, June 29 – Sovereign Hill
Today take a coach ride back in time to a bustling 1850s town at Sovereign Hill. Experience what life would have been like on the goldfields. You can even pan for gold in the townships’ creek! Once you have collected your fortune, it’s off to spend the night at a 5000 acre merino wool producing property south of Ballarat, overlooking the Williamsons Creek valley. (Barb and I know Ballarat as the setting for the Doctor Blake Mysteries TV series.)
People To People Itinerary
Saturday, June 30 – Wangaratta
Your Australian journey continues through Victoria’s picturesque landscape. Your first stop today is in the township of Castlemaine, which first gained notoriety in the 1850s when it attracted the attention of the world as richest shallow alluvial goldfield the world had ever seen. Today the town is graced with stunning gardens, gracious buildings and stately boulevards as a legacy of the earthbound riches of yesteryear. Tonight your delegation will stay at Wangaratta located in North East Victoria. The region is renowned for spectacular scenery, historic legends, cultural heritage and access to numerous State and National Parks. An extensive river system, winds through the townships that dot the valleys and plains.
People To People Itinerary
Sunday, July 1 – Canberra
Today, leave Victoria, and journey to Australia’s Capital Territory, and the nation’s capital city of Canberra. Canberra was selected as the capital of Australia in 1908, because it was diplomatically situated between archrivals Sydney and Melbourne. Ironically, the American landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin won an international competition to design the plans for the city. The name, Canberra, is based on an aboriginal word meaning “meeting place,” an appropriate name for a capital city.
People To People Itinerary
Monday, July 2 – Canberra
This morning, take notice of Australia’s newest Parliament House, built for the 1988 bicentennial of Australia. The Parliament House is rich in national symbolism, crowned by a 266 foot, architecturally stimulating flagpole. You will have the opportunity to have a behind the scenes guided orientation of Australia’s Old Parliament House, where you will learn more about Australia’s system of government and political history. Later, you’ll spend time exploring the fascinating National Science and Technology Centre called Questacon. Questacon holds over 200 hands-on displays, in six galleries. Then journey to the historic Lanyon Homestead. Learn about the fascinating past of the property’s first inhabitants, James Wright and his convict servants, dating back to the 1860’s, followed by a starlight dinner.
People To People Itinerary
Remember to dress warmly for this evening!
Tuesday, July 3 – Farm Stay
Start your day at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It ranks among the world’s great national monuments. Sharply etched grandeur and dignity in its stylized Byzantine profile, the Memorial is more than a monument. Inside the sandstone building, with its copper-sheathed dome, selections from vast national collections of relics and personal and public records are found. Art and media combine to relate the story of a young nation’s experience in world wars, regional conflicts and international peacekeeping. The story begins in 1789, when sailing ships first brought European settlers, convicts and military personnel from England, and extends through the World Wars to the present. This afternoon, arrive at your farm stay, situated in the foothills of the Southern Highlands. Steeped in history the magnificent 1822 property is surrounded by rolling hills, towering trees, picturesque farmland and natural unspoilt bush. After meeting your hosts, enjoy a home cooked meal and country hospitality.
People To People Itinerary
Wednesday, July 4 – Farm Stay
Enjoy a full day of activities with a real “hands on” farm experience including helping with the farm chores, horseback riding, feeding the livestock, petting kangaroos and watching the working dogs muster the sheep for a shearing demonstration.
People To People Itinerary
Thursday, July 5 – Sydney
Head to Sydney, the largest city in Australia and the capital of New South Wales, uniquely set on the natural harbor of Port Jackson. Begin your adventure by journeying to the heart of the 2000 Olympic Games, located near Homebush. Explore the Sydney Olympic Park grounds and Telstra Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies were celebrated. Continue your Olympic quest with a guided orientation and swim at the Aquatic Centre. This afternoon venture to heart of Sydney and survey the city atop the Sydney Tower. From your birds eye vantage point you are able to get a 360-degree view of the city skyline and experience Skytour, the simulated experience of Australia’s natural wonders. Tonight enjoy dinner overlooking Darling Harbour.
People To People Itinerary
Friday, July 6 – Sydney
The historical Rocks area awaits you this morning as you reenact the convict era in period costumes. Next, take a walk around Farm Cove for a group photo at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. Lady Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of a famous governor, used to sit on a stone bench to rest and admire the view, while awaiting news from home via the tall ships entering the harbor. This promontory boasts fabulous views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After lunch, enjoy one of the highlights of Australia – cruising on Sydney Harbour! Then, take a guided orientation of the majestic Sydney Opera House complex. The visually intriguing structure houses an Opera Theater, Concert Hall, Playhouse and one of Sydney’s finest restaurants. It has become one of the city’s most internationally recognized landmarks. Tonight have a rockin’ and rollin’ good time at the Hard Rock Café amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia.
People To People Itinerary
Saturday, July 7 – Undarra
Today, board an early flight to Cairns. This coastal city is nestled in northern Queensland amid two of Australia’s most treasured World Heritage destinations, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. A committee chooses World Heritage sites, from several nominated locations all over the world, which represent a significant “cultural or natural heritage.” Continue your journey by traveling through the Atherton Tablelands stopping for lunch at Mungalli Falls. This afternoon arrive at Undara, Australia’s accessible Outback. The Undara Volcanic National Park is one of Australia’s greatest geological wonders. It boasts the best-preserved and largest lava tubes system on earth.
People To People Itinerary
Sunday, July 8 – Undarra
Discover the Undara Lava Tubes, formed 190,000 years ago when a volcano erupted, sending its molten lava flowing down a dry riverbed. As the top layer cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes. As the eruption slowed and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels. Each tube offers a rare insight into this unusual geological wonder. This afternoon, experience “savannah guide school” and then lead each other through a lava tube! Tonight, enjoy an Aussie campfire.
People To People Itinerary
Monday, July 9 – Cairns
Start the day with a hearty bush breakfast before you head back to Cairns. Experience the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and demonstration of traditional aboriginal dance, as well as an introduction to Aboriginal culture and history. The Aborigines are believed to have arrived 40,000-60,000 years ago, via Asia. Learn about native bush food and medicines, hear the unusual music produced by the didgeridoo and have the opportunity to try your hand at throwing a boomerang. Next, get ready for your close encounter with Australia’s unique fauna, such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and wombats at a wildlife sanctuary. Kangaroos and koalas are marsupials as mothers carry and nurture their young in a pouch. There are three main varieties of kangaroos native to Australia. All are capable of growing to heights 7-9 feet tall, and weighing up to 200 lbs. Crikey! Don’t forget to pack your day bag for tomorrow with sunscreen, sun hat, swimsuit and towel. An underwater camera will capture those magic moments on the Reef!
People To People Itinerary
Tuesday, July 10 – Cairns
Cruise to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, one of the greatest natural phenomena the world has to offer. Stretching over 1250 miles and covering an area of over 135,000 square miles, the reef is the only living thing visible from the Moon! The Great Barrier Reef is rich in marine life, including 1500 species of fish. Observe this fragile ecosystem and snorkel in the pristine aquamarine water. Be amazed by the diverse colors and variety of the live coral. Play with the fish as they dart in and out of their watery wonderland. Semi-submersible boat rides are available to view the thousands of varieties of colorful fish and coral without getting wet. Witnessing life throughout the reef is truly a magical experience!
People To People Itinerary
Wednesday, July 11 – Cairns
This morning, you will take a spectacular scenic railway journey over the Kuranda Range comprising of unsurpassed views of the World Heritage listed rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls within the Barron Gorge National Park before reaching the quaint and tropical village of Kuranda, set deep in the rainforest. Enjoy a calm water cruise along picturesque Trinity Inlet; discover the secrets of this unique and special mangrove-lined waterway that is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife including crocodiles, native birds and over 70 species of fish. See if you can spot crocodiles lurking in the dark, murky waters. Did you know crocodiles are the ultimate survivors? Having arisen some 200 million years ago, they have outlived the dinosaurs by some 65 million years!
People To People Itinerary
Thursday, July 12 – Return to USA
After packing your suitcase for the last time, make sure you have everything you need for the flight, in your carry-on luggage. Board the motor coach to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
People To People Itinerary
After her great adventure, we were very happy to welcome Allie home!
And eventually the paperwork arrived proving that Allie was indeed a Student Ambassador.
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