Hi, I'm Benjamin. As soon as we all got up this morning, we boarded a bus to go to breakfast. We went to the Rainforest Habitat wildlife park, where we got to hold some pretty cool rain forest animals, like the carpet python, tree frog, parakeet, and crocodile. We learned a little bit about each of the animals too. For example we learned that the python could grow to be several feet long. The one I held was about four feet long.
Afterward we ate breakfast with the birds. The birds were flying around, swiping our food and drinking our juice, and sitting on our heads and shoulders. One even peed on my shoulder! It was all great--even the pee.
Afterward we ate breakfast with the birds. The birds were flying around, swiping our food and drinking our juice, and sitting on our heads and shoulders. One even peed on my shoulder! It was all great--even the pee.
Video courtesy of Tourism Australia
Hi, this is Elisabeth. After our breakfast with the birds we boarded the Wavedancer and rode 45 minuets to the Great Barrier Reef. Then we went snorkeling with a marine biologist. It was a great experience. I saw different kinds of coral and lots of fish, including clownfish and parrotfish. This was my first time snorkeling for real! I've snorkeled in a pool but this was way better! After that we rode in a glass-bottom boat to an island where we learned about the birds--including an osprey that had built a nest on the lighthouse--and plants there. We then got back on board the Wavedancer and rode back to Rydges Sabaya Resort. I had a lot of fun on our first full day of adventure in Australia.
Wow! All that in one day!? I can't wait to see more pictures!!
Bens Mom
Hey Everyone!
Wow! Your trip sounds incredible so far! You got to hold a crocodile? That is amazing!!!! And snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef sounds so cool. I hope you guys keep posting the blog because I would love to learn more about your awesome adventure!
~kklabrador
OMG! Eating with birds on your heads???? THATS AMAZING! SNORKELING IN THE GBR??? AWESOME!!!! You guys are NEVER going to forget this! It has been a dream of mine to go to the Great Barrier Reef! I am so glad you guys got to go!!!!
HAVE FUN!!
Sounds like a blast! Savanna, hope to hear from you soon,
Love,
Dad and Ashlyn
Ben and Elizabeth,
Great job writing your blog, and what great photos. Snakes and other critters, snorkling and marine life, sounds like the expedition of a lifetime.
We, myself and my daughter, are watching and reading daily. My wife and son are part of your expedition and we miss them very much. Have fun figuring out who they are. /Holland
Everyone can't wait to hear about all your adventures, Keep us posted and enjoy every minute,
Ashlyn says hi!!!
Love,
Dad
Hi Benjamin!
Nice snake you have there. It's good luck when a bird pees on you. Aunt Judy and I are very proud of you! Have a great trip! We'll be watching!
Love,
Uncle Matt, Aunt Judy, Samuel and Hannah
Hi you two.
Guess what. I had breakfast with the birds as well.
Recently I went to Cairns and Port Douglas for a holiday. Me and my family went for the breakfast with the birds and we went on a snorkeling cruse. Did you stay in Port Douglas as well as Cairns?
where are you staying?
I'm partners with Kat.
see you on Thursday.
345flys(Mollie b to friends)
( :
Hi benjamin,
holding a python must feel really cool.
I bet you had a GREAT DAY!
I'm glad i didn't get peed on by a bird but it still would of been cool eating with birds and having them on your shoulders.
Hi Benjamin and Elisabeth, it must have been fun getting to go to the Great Barrier Reef and getting to have breakfast with birds it also must be fun getting to come to Australia. I've never been to the Great Barrier Reef as far as I can remember and how could it be fun having a bird pee on you? How long have you been in Australia and where are you in Australia? What was your is your favourite thing in Australia?
Hi, I'm Kane. I'm your buddy in Mrs. Rues' class from Taroona Primary School. I am really looking forward to meeting you. I live in Hobart. My sports are tennis, swimming, and karate. "GO-KAN-RYU krate" I'm a blue belt. I hear that you had a great time snorkling around the sea. I used to live in Qeensland. See you soon, Kane
Dear Benjamin,
It is very exciting to follow your adventure in Australia. You will have an amazing journey to write about when you get home. This is truly a trip of a lifetime.....even getting peed on! Keep a journal and pictures to show all your envious friends at home.....Signed, your favorite Beth
Lis!
I bet you had SO much fun snorkeling! Wish I had been there... Looking forwards to seeing your pictures when you get home. Have fun the rest of the trip!
Oh, and you should try to get ahold of a real Aussie newspaper! Wouldn't it be fun to read when you get older?!
Love,
Luci
Hi Benjamin!
It is so neat to be able to read about your adventures--sometimes even before you get up the next day and call us!! I'm so happy that you are learning so much and making many new friends. Look at all the friends in Tasmania who are following the expedition and eagerly awaiting your arrival!! We all miss you and Daddy!
Love,
Mom
Benjamin, Robbie and I are following your trip as I'm sure others are also. We enjoyed the picture of you with the snake. Better you than us. We hope to see some other great pictures, and I'm sure we will when you return. See you soon. Robbie & Lou
Elisabeth!
It sounds like you are having fun! I hope you enjoy every minute of your trip! Keep us updated on what you are doing! :) Can't wait to hear all about it!
*hugs*
Makayla
Hey Lis!
You did a great job writing in the blog!
Hope you are having fun!
We miss you...and love you! :)
Matt & and everyone else (too long to list)!
Hi Ben,
Looks like you and Dad are having a great time. This truly is a once in a lifetime adventure. Can't wait to see your pictures. We put a link on the radio station website to let everyone know about your adventure. Take care.
Doc Roberts
Ben:
You & dad are certainly having an adventure of a lifetime. Can't believe you were so calm holding the snake! Looking forward to more pictures and adventures.
Joanne
Hi Ben,
All I can say is WOW!!!! Not only is your trip amazing... it's also amazing that we can follow you from the other side of the earth... Great picture of you and the snake... Bob
"Just" Tracy calling Nat Geo - do you read me ?
Well, I couldn't sign off today without posting a comment. You all rock and are the best.
Thank you for making my job a great one. Its so nice to know that you all enjoyed the trip so much, had a fantastic time, and learned so much. I hope you have many happy memories for the trip that last for years to come. And if in future you hear someone whistling, perhaps you'll think of me. Have a great time in Tassie.
Keep enjoying, learning and caring about your world around you with the same interest and enthusiasm you did in Queensland.
Trace - signing off with a big loud whistle!
Hi Ben,
Looks like you are doing some pretty cool things. That was a BIG snake you were holding. Maddie, mom and dad dawg say Hi too.
From,
Kenzie
Hi Ben & Brian. Hope all is well on your adventures! We've been reading the blogs and viewing all the videos daily. Can't wait to see pictures/video of the ice-breaking ships, says Bradley. Like the picture of the "tiny" snake. Nothing else new here in Honesdale and NE Pennsylvania except you're missing Sidewalk Sales!! Can't wait to get together and view all the pictures and hear all your stories etc. Will be praying for safe travels on your return trip. God Bless!!
PS. Coco says WOOF!
Hi Ben, Make sure there are no snakes in your suitcase when you come home!! I saw you in the videos. I hope you can show me how to throw that boomerang! It is so exciting to follow your adventure. I know you are taking lots of pictures. Can't wait to see them. Say Hi to Daddy!!
Love, Aunt Ann
Hi Elisabeth! You and Benjamin did really well in the blog! I hope you are having a lot of fun and I can't wait to see more pictures!
Maia and Family
Have a safe trip home. Can't wait to hear all about your adventure & see all your pictures.
Joanne
What kind of fish did you see?
G'day mate! Benjamin, I wish I could be there when you return at midnight to hear all about your tremendous adventure! We have been following your trip from Port Douglas to Port Arthur! I am sure you have some beautiful photos to share! As you can imagine, I was quite shocked to see you with that huge snake around your neck!!! Great picture Brian!
Love you - Aunt Mary
You guys are so lucky that you get to go to the great barrier reef that must have been so much fun!