Just a quick update: we are in Brisbane and everyone is safe. We left Sydney 4 days ago. There was a nationally reported boat accident that had occured there early on the morning of May 1: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=455497 (It is now nearly noon on May 1 in Australia).
We use larger and safer boats than what was involved in the accident -- and we were 500 miles from there.
For more details of our trip, I suggest that you also read Charlie Jacobson's Blog at http://chazjac.blogspot.com/ . He writes more and deeper commentary than I do. Make sure you click on the archived items on Charlie's Blog: 2008-04-27 and 2008-04-20 etc.
I plan to post many pictures form the Koala Sanctuary in the near future. I have many interesting pictures !
Best way to contact us is at:
dpowers@elmira.edu
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 27 we traveled from Sydney to Canberra by bus.
Along the way is a cattle grazing area. Here is a photo taken near Goulburn.
5 Kangaroos in the Wild
As we approached Canberra, our tour guide took us on a side road where we observed 5 Kangaroos in the wild
Panaramic view of Canberra
From the top of Mt Ansilie: In the foreground is a domed structure which is the Australian War Museum.
The reddish-brown vertical region in the center of the picture is the ANZAC Parade avenue.
The lake is named Burley Griffin Lake – named after the American who designed the city of Canberra.
Next large white building is the Old Parliament Building. Just beyond that is a structure which is harder to see. It has a triangular flag pole above it and is covered by grass. This is the new Parliament Building. The hill that it is on is called Capital Hill.
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory which roughly corresponds to our District of Columbia.
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory which roughly corresponds to our District of Columbia.
The Parliament Building with our students in front of it
is a very impressive structure in person.
It has 3 stories above ground and numerous floors below ground. (And they don’t call any one of them a Terrace level.)
The House of Representatives
This is the “lower house” of Parliament.
Its members are elected in districts according to population.
The Senate
This is the “upper house”.
Its representation is equally distributed to the States:
12 members per state + 2 members each from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Photo taken from the Top of the Parliament Building – taken in 2005.
The top of the Parliament Building is covered with grass which allows the people of Australia to walk over the Parliament building – to signify that the people are more important than the government.
One side of the flag pole structure on the top of the Parliament Building
(Imagine a similar pair of legs to the right.)
Picture taken of the heart of the Australian War Memorial.
After visiting the US Embassy, we toured the Australian War Memorial which is a combination memorial and museum.
Some of the wars in which Australia participated
Along the sides of the war memorial are arches with names of the various wars Australia has participated. Australia and the US have been allies in more wars than any other country.
(Great Britain might tie Australia in the number of wars they were our allies, but then again, we fought 2 wars against the British – 0 against the Australians.)
Along the sides are listed the dead of the Australian wars
Here shows some of those from WW I. The names are listed with out regard to rank. Notice that people often leave poppies near names of friends or relatives.
This shows some of the recent Australia causalities
One more Australian died in Afghanistan last week. His name will be added in the future.
One of the Ministers of the Labor Government (eq. to our cabinet secretaries) said that Australia should expect more causalities because the conflict will intensify as the weather warms in Afghanistan. . (Australia is not a wimpy ally.)
Picture taken from the War Memorial back towards Capital Hill and the Parliament building.
There will always be a clear light of sight between the Parliament and the War Memorial so that Members of Parliament always remember the cost of engaging in war.
(End of activities on April 27).
Every Person was Significant -- There were Thousands
The ANZAC parade in Sydney was impressive -- lasting over 4 hours on April 25.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps -- and ANZAC day commerates the landing of Australian and New Zealand trips on the Gallipoli peninsula of Turkey, April 25, 1915 as part of the WW I.
For more information see:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.asp
http://www.anzac.govt.nz/significance/index.html
no words required
This is the most impressive parade I have ever seen. Small groups and large groups marched past for over 4 hours ! ! !
Dependents of Servicemen
Often there were groups of dependents of the soldiers who served and/or were lost in battle.
Riderless Horse
A riderless horse is the symbol for a soldier lost in battle.
Notice the boots placed backwards.
Remembering the Sailors under the command of US in the Pacific During WW II
The US provided much needed defense of Australia during WW II when Australia was threatened to be invaded by the Japanese.
The Australians have been grateful ever since.
Honoring US Marines
The parade had contingents from various allies. The US contigent was small, but don't under estimate its importance.
A unit that served in Korea, Vietnam, IRAQ, and Afghanistan
Australia has been our strongest ally.
They have served with us in every war since WW I. Important to have friends you can count on.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Ride on Subway
This is the start of what we did on April 24.
We took the subway system to Circular Quay. Circular Quay is the main Ferry Terminal.
We took the subway system to Circular Quay. Circular Quay is the main Ferry Terminal.
Opera House
The ferry ride is an efficient way to get to your destination, plus it gives you a great view of the Opera House.
One of Several Ferries used
The weather was good in the morning when we were at the zoo. Later it rained, but then we were in doors at the aquarium.
Tying up the Ferry
The ferry crews were very skilled, getting the ferry into tight spots and tied up quickly.
This is a wallaby which is closely related to kangaroos.
This is a wallaby which is closely related to kangaroos.
Wallaby
Wallabies are actually different than kangaroos, about which I will have many more pictures later.
An Echidna
Echidna are members of the monotreme order along with Platypus.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna for a nice article.
Another shot of an Echidna
Because of the difficulty of getting these photos, I will include 3 photos.
Northern Quoll
Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is a nocturnal animal.
Quoting the information plaque: “This small carnivorous marsupial does not have a permanent pouch. Just before breeding the female will form a small flap os skin on her belly in which to raise her young.
"The males die after their first breeding season.
The Northern Quoll is the most successful of the four species of quoll – possibly due to their extreme pungent odour that deters predators.”
Free Flight Demonstration
One of the best parts of the zoo was the free fight demonstration. In this demonstration, birds are allowed to fly free.
They obviously been trained to come back for food, but for a period of time they can fly around. They would often fly closely over the heads of the audience.
Notice the great view of the Opera House and the Sydney River Bridge.
South American Condor
One of the hits of the show was a South American Condor which has a 10 foot wing span.
Condor under attack
Some of the much smaller local birds attached it to drive it out of their space.
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