Hello to all of you who read our blog! Thank you so much for your comments and feedback. Thanks for all the comments on our amazing adventures.Your questions about our amazing adventure are welcomed... Here is more information on our trip.
We are going to keep adding to the blog and add new pictures too. We did have a fantastic time in Oz! Australia's time difference from L.A. is about ten hours ahead-also, some of the kids were like me...they live on the eastern U.S., so add another 4 or 5 hours to that! And yes, the plane delays and layovers did make us VERY tired, but it also gave us time to get to know one another. The 13 hour flight was very long, but our flight attendants kept us supplied with food and meals, warm and comfy with pillows and blankets, and everybody had individual TV screens on the seat in front of them to keep entertained. We could watch TV shows, movies, or play games or listen to music. Thank goodness for that!
Videos
The videographers from Tourism Australia, Jeff and Chris, were very nice to all of us! Here is a photo of me with them.
It was fun to be in the movies and to watch them! When we went to Taroona Primary they let us into their library, so we all crowded around the few computers to watch the movies!
Boomerangs
Throwing the boomerangs was very hard. It was sort of like throwing a baseball, except that you had to lean back, then hurl the boomerang forward, and we only got one try. My mom bought a boomerang while we were there, however, so I'm going to practice throwing it at my school's football field (before summer ends). I am determined to throw it hard enough to make it come back to me! When the Aboriginal guides did it, it was amazing hearing the *WHOOSH* of the boomerang as it circled you, then dropped. They actually do come back! One even nailed one of the guys filming us for a video. He tried to catch it, but it whacked his equipment instead. It's harder than it looks.
We are going to keep adding to the blog and add new pictures too. We did have a fantastic time in Oz! Australia's time difference from L.A. is about ten hours ahead-also, some of the kids were like me...they live on the eastern U.S., so add another 4 or 5 hours to that! And yes, the plane delays and layovers did make us VERY tired, but it also gave us time to get to know one another. The 13 hour flight was very long, but our flight attendants kept us supplied with food and meals, warm and comfy with pillows and blankets, and everybody had individual TV screens on the seat in front of them to keep entertained. We could watch TV shows, movies, or play games or listen to music. Thank goodness for that!
Videos
The videographers from Tourism Australia, Jeff and Chris, were very nice to all of us! Here is a photo of me with them.
It was fun to be in the movies and to watch them! When we went to Taroona Primary they let us into their library, so we all crowded around the few computers to watch the movies!
Boomerangs
Throwing the boomerangs was very hard. It was sort of like throwing a baseball, except that you had to lean back, then hurl the boomerang forward, and we only got one try. My mom bought a boomerang while we were there, however, so I'm going to practice throwing it at my school's football field (before summer ends). I am determined to throw it hard enough to make it come back to me! When the Aboriginal guides did it, it was amazing hearing the *WHOOSH* of the boomerang as it circled you, then dropped. They actually do come back! One even nailed one of the guys filming us for a video. He tried to catch it, but it whacked his equipment instead. It's harder than it looks.
Crocodiles
The most exciting thing that I saw in Queensland would have to be watching (up close!) the crocodiles being fed. The sound of their jaws closing was amazing. Did you know that Australia has only crocodiles, not alligators, like the U.S. has?
The croc burgers are really crocodiles! They tasted like fishy turkey to me. And it was hard to eat the croc burgers with a couple of crocs swimming in the water just a few feet away! You are supposed to eat it with this mango-chutney stuff and a bun. If someone hadn't told me what I was eating, I could have enjoyed it...
Taroona School
We did have LOTS of fun at Taroona Primary. Every one on the Expedition team was paired with a buddy from the Tasmanian school in Tasmania. It was so fun spending time with them!
Rainforest
The skyrail is a service that controlled the gondolas (sort of like ski lifts) that took us up over the rainforest and to the top of it. Talk about gorgeous! And, coincidently, it was raining in the rainforest that day!!
Butterflies
We went into this little netted room that had plants all over and butterflies flew around you everywhere. Some even landed on you! And it was great photographing them, too. Also, it must have been "birthing season" 'cause the butterflies were laying eggs everywhere! For some reason they were attracted to gold, and landed and hatched their eggs there. One Australian mom and her daughter were wearing gold jewelry- and butterflies kept landing on them and laying eggs! The eggs were teeny tiny, about the size of a freckle, or smaller! My glasses have a goldish tint to them, so one of the butterflies landed right on the lens, and laid three greenish eggs in the corner of my glasses! I didn't realize that it had done that until after I was on the bus- I was astonished. It's not everyday that that happens to you!
Koalas
Koalas were, well, they were the cutest things in the world! Their claws were a little sharp, and they were pretty heavy--you had to hold them against your chest. Their fur was not as soft as I suspected, however it was pretty soft! They smelled like cough drops 'cause the eucalyptus leaves that they eat are used in cough drops. We did not get to hold the mother and baby koalas. The mother was always sleeping or nursing the babies, and the babies were always running around and were too mischievous to hold. While we were at the Koala place, the people told us something pretty amazing. Koalas are the most useless animal in the world. They endanger the eucalyptus trees, they aren't food for any animals, and all they do is sleep. The only thing that they do do, however, is bring in thousands of dollars from tourism!
Boats
The snorkeling boat wasn't too rough, and the glass bottom boat tour was pretty neat, and the boat that we went in for the crocodile feeding was very smooth. The entire boat was closed by glass so that the crocodile couldn't decide to snack on you instead of the chicken!
Kangaroos
My favorite animal, so far, would have to be the kangaroos. They were so sweet and docile. You could pet, feed and be very close to them.
Food
Breakfasts- wow, they were all really, really, really good! Now that I'm back in the states I miss having it be already prepared! One thing that they had at all the breakfasts was vegemite packets.It is a yeast product that you are supposed to spread on toast. I was brave and decided to try a little. My mom took my camera and took a bunch of shots in a row and got all my reactions. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!! Who'd want it for breakfast? But supposedly all Australians like it. Even our tour guide, Tracy, said she liked it, and grew up with it!
Winning the Hands-On Explorer Challenge
To win the contest, I would suggest that you spend LOTS of time on your entry, check, recheck, and check again that you are following all the rules--300 words max, one photo, you live in the U.S., etc. Some people don't follow the rules, and are immediately eliminated! Also, work as long as possible on it to make sure that it's really what you want. Don't rush. Lastly, put all of your effort into it and make sure that it's really genuine. I never thought that I'd actually win this contest, however I did all of the above and it worked. Make sure that it really means something to you.
Maybe some of my explorer buddies will log in and write, too. Thank you all for following along on our adventure!
The most exciting thing that I saw in Queensland would have to be watching (up close!) the crocodiles being fed. The sound of their jaws closing was amazing. Did you know that Australia has only crocodiles, not alligators, like the U.S. has?
The croc burgers are really crocodiles! They tasted like fishy turkey to me. And it was hard to eat the croc burgers with a couple of crocs swimming in the water just a few feet away! You are supposed to eat it with this mango-chutney stuff and a bun. If someone hadn't told me what I was eating, I could have enjoyed it...
Taroona School
We did have LOTS of fun at Taroona Primary. Every one on the Expedition team was paired with a buddy from the Tasmanian school in Tasmania. It was so fun spending time with them!
Rainforest
The skyrail is a service that controlled the gondolas (sort of like ski lifts) that took us up over the rainforest and to the top of it. Talk about gorgeous! And, coincidently, it was raining in the rainforest that day!!
Butterflies
We went into this little netted room that had plants all over and butterflies flew around you everywhere. Some even landed on you! And it was great photographing them, too. Also, it must have been "birthing season" 'cause the butterflies were laying eggs everywhere! For some reason they were attracted to gold, and landed and hatched their eggs there. One Australian mom and her daughter were wearing gold jewelry- and butterflies kept landing on them and laying eggs! The eggs were teeny tiny, about the size of a freckle, or smaller! My glasses have a goldish tint to them, so one of the butterflies landed right on the lens, and laid three greenish eggs in the corner of my glasses! I didn't realize that it had done that until after I was on the bus- I was astonished. It's not everyday that that happens to you!
Koalas
Koalas were, well, they were the cutest things in the world! Their claws were a little sharp, and they were pretty heavy--you had to hold them against your chest. Their fur was not as soft as I suspected, however it was pretty soft! They smelled like cough drops 'cause the eucalyptus leaves that they eat are used in cough drops. We did not get to hold the mother and baby koalas. The mother was always sleeping or nursing the babies, and the babies were always running around and were too mischievous to hold. While we were at the Koala place, the people told us something pretty amazing. Koalas are the most useless animal in the world. They endanger the eucalyptus trees, they aren't food for any animals, and all they do is sleep. The only thing that they do do, however, is bring in thousands of dollars from tourism!
Boats
The snorkeling boat wasn't too rough, and the glass bottom boat tour was pretty neat, and the boat that we went in for the crocodile feeding was very smooth. The entire boat was closed by glass so that the crocodile couldn't decide to snack on you instead of the chicken!
Kangaroos
My favorite animal, so far, would have to be the kangaroos. They were so sweet and docile. You could pet, feed and be very close to them.
FoodBreakfasts- wow, they were all really, really, really good! Now that I'm back in the states I miss having it be already prepared! One thing that they had at all the breakfasts was vegemite packets.It is a yeast product that you are supposed to spread on toast. I was brave and decided to try a little. My mom took my camera and took a bunch of shots in a row and got all my reactions. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!! Who'd want it for breakfast? But supposedly all Australians like it. Even our tour guide, Tracy, said she liked it, and grew up with it!
Winning the Hands-On Explorer Challenge
To win the contest, I would suggest that you spend LOTS of time on your entry, check, recheck, and check again that you are following all the rules--300 words max, one photo, you live in the U.S., etc. Some people don't follow the rules, and are immediately eliminated! Also, work as long as possible on it to make sure that it's really what you want. Don't rush. Lastly, put all of your effort into it and make sure that it's really genuine. I never thought that I'd actually win this contest, however I did all of the above and it worked. Make sure that it really means something to you.
Maybe some of my explorer buddies will log in and write, too. Thank you all for following along on our adventure!
Dear Grace,
Hi! I know that you do not know me, but I am amazed by your Australia expedition! I have been checking the blog every day after the trip with no luck; I was happy to see the new blog from you! Thanks so much!
Hopefully other Hands-On Explorer Challenge Expedition Team members will sign on as well and post some more entries!
Well, I just wanted to take the time to comment and thank you!
~kklabrador
Thank you so much for listing comments on the blog. Also, thank you for being patient and checking it everyday!
~Grace
Hi Grace!
I just wanted to say you're welcome, and do you know if any other Expedition Team members will post more entries? I would love to learn a little more about your trip, and maybe some more pictures! (lol I like to look at pictures)
~kklabrador
I liked when you fed the kangaroos.
Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for taking time to post the entries! Especially the blogs during the trip i read them every day! I entered the contest too, (no luck) but I'm glad that you won! You sounded like you had a great time!
Hi Grace!
That's so cool that you won the NG kids explorer trip. It sounds so fun! This year is my first year learning about the contest. My family isn't rich, and we barely get to travel. But I love the wildlife! I'm hoping to win the trip to Peru. Your trip makes it sound so fun! Any tips? Hope you had the best time of your life!
Hi "Harleycat"!
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I really did have a great time. the only thing that i'm sad about is that now I am too old to enter the contest for Peru!! I definitly encourage you to enter this year's contest, even if you don't believe you will win- i sure didn't! But now I'm going to encourage my brother to enter this contest and others, too. I really am a real live person, and i really did experience this awesome trip!! Please please please enter this contest- and i hope you win!
Love,
Grace
Hi Grace
I know it's hard to travel 10 hours or so by plane(I did it twice,from Brzil to China!)it's horrible,but you're so lucky!!!I admire you very much,got a chance to go to Australia.Lol
I can't believe you did all this amazing stuff on your trip I can't wait to enter the new Hands-On Explorer Challenge to Peru! Thanks for the tips for writing them!
Hi Delilah!
I can't believe that you went from Brazil to China! Wow. the farthest I've been from the US is... Australia!!! this was an awesome experience, and I can't believe how lucky I was to win it!
Thanks for commmenting on my blog.
Hi "luckstomper"!
I can't believe it myself all the wonderful and exotic things I was able to do on this trip! Please please please enter the Hands-On Explorer Challenge to Peru! I wish you all the best.
Thanks for commenting on my blog!! :-D I love any questions or comments you have for me!! thx.
Thanks for replying "Amazinggrace" I appreciated it and I'm going to enter this years Hands-on Explorer Challenge to Peru with all my effort! And two question what was your favorite part of the trip to Australia?
I'm probably the new "major" fan of Hands-On Explorer Challenge and I already know mostly everything about all three challenge trips there has been. Do you know if anyone else is still blogging like you are? And if I don't win this year's Hands-On Explorer Challenge I can always enter next year's right! Thats all for now from "LUCKSTOMPER!"
I am DEFINATELY entering this Peru contest! This is my last year to enter...=( I am working so so so so so hard! I'm so glad you had such a great time! Hey do you know if you are the first person from New England to win?? Maybe if I win I can be the second! That would be so cool! Do you know if you get to meet the winners of the other contests? That would also be cool! Thanks for reading my comment!
~J.C.
Hi Grace!
Your trip sounds really fun! This is my second time getting NG Kids (magazine) and the first time I saw info about the contest. I've read all the things about your trip in the magazine, on the web/blogs, saw the photos the team took, and watched the movies of your trip many times. It all sounds really fun and exciting. Your experience makes me want to enter the Peru trip a lot. I hope I win. Your trip sounds so fun! I'm sooooooooooooooo glad you had a great time. Wish me and the other entrants luck in entering the Peru trip! Happy Holidays!
~Steph
Hi Grace! I am going to try to win the trip to Peru next year.
Hi 'luckstomper'!
To Answer your question, my favorite part of the Australian trip would have to be just experienceing the whole thing. I mean, i considered myself to be some regular, normal *boring* girl in *boring* new england. this trip really opened my eyes to a lot of new things, including a different culture and letting me come out of my "shell". Normally i am pretty shy, but meeting the others on the aussie trip and seeing the australians really changed me. Now I know what I want to do in life! I want to be a photojournalist and travel 'round the world so that I can experience more things just like australia.
to answer your other question, i don't think that there are any other winners still blogging. We are all very busy, especially since some of us older ones are in High School now. However, I loved Australia so much that i don't want it to die! so i make sure to check up on my blog at least to answer any questions and look at new comments.
Well, keep talkin' to me!! :-D
ttyl
~Grace
Hi "Harleycat"!
Sorry, but yes, there are other winners from New England. But, still, we need to make sure our lovely home of new england gets noticed! so if you win it'll be another one from New England! Woo-hoo!
by the way, on the trip, we [the winners] become really close together. We are all friends now!
ttyl! :D
~Grace
Hi Steph!
Yes, the Aussie trip WAS really fun and exciting. i really hope that you enter and win for Peru! i totally wish you and the other entrants luck with winning the peru trip!
Happy new year!
~Grace
Hi Grace!
Thanks soooooo much for responding to my questions and comments! I really appreciate it!
It's cool that even though your busy you keep blogging, im sure i speak for everyone when I say we love reading the entries!
Thanks again for responding! =)
Go N.E.!!! :D
~J.C.
Hi Grace!
Thank-you for responding to my comments. It's so nice to hear from a hands-on explorer challenge winner. Especially because your from New england just like me. Did you know that Abbie logs on every so often and says something. I have a really good shot at winning this contest, (well at least I think I do).
It took me forever to get a good layout for my essay, but from there I had no problems. And thanx for your advice about writing the essay in your "After the Trip Blog."
~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. GO NEW ENGLAND!!!! whoop whoop!
wow Grace.
its looks like you had an amazing time!
the pictures are great
i'm doing a project for science and i came upon ur blgo while on google.
your info is great and i might even use some of it.
by the way... :)
lots of lovexoxoxoxoxo
your girl
Hi Grace!
OMG! The deadline is just a few days away and I'm still trying to make sure everything is just the way I want it to be. It's so hard to word the essay correctly in 300 words so that the judges could understand and get the main things! I'm also still deciding between two pictures. DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS!!!!! I wish they didn't have to be so hard. Well, wish me and all the other contestants luck! I really hope I and the other bloggers win this trip. It would just be so amazing! We want this trip so bad!!!!! Good luck peoples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi to everybody who have visted my blog!!
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to comment and give feedback. You guys are the best!!
GOOD LUCK to all of you who have entered for the trip to Peru! I really hope that you guys win and get the chance to experience something as amazing as I did. From the sound of your comments, you really deserve it!!
Just in case you don't win, I just want you to know that i'm proud of you for at least trying. Don't beat yourself up if you don't win!! Many people are entering this contest as well, remember. Just use this as an opportunity to keep on entering, and maybe even entering other contests as well in the future!
Just be proud of yourself for actually taking the time to enter.
I love all of you!!!!!!!!!!
and for goodness sakes, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
~Grace
PS the judges take a long time to process all of the essays, so BE PATIENT!! Yes, I too almost died waiting and waiting and waiting for results! Just distract yourself with something else, Because it might take a month or 2 or 3 to get all of the essays judged
Hi Grace! It's so nice to hear from you again! Thanks for the encouragement, reminders, facts (about how long the judges might take), and luck! Learning how long the judges might take helps me a lot because sometimes when I'm exploring in my backyard I hear a phone call and rush up to get it before anyone else can. Now I know that maybe sometimes I can let my family take the calls so that I could keep exploring continually! Thanks again for blogging Grace! You might want to blog on the newer ones too because (sorry to say) not many people check yours or Abbie's original blog anymore. I will keep checking this blog and informing others that you blogged though! Thanks Grace!
Hey Grace! (this is Harleycat I changed the name) Thanks so much for blogging again! It's so great to hear from someone who has actually gone on one of the HOEC trips! It means a lot that you read everything we write! Thanks for all your encouragement!
Keep Exploring!
Keep Writing!
~Jayme
I hope I and the others win this trip! It would be just so amazing. A REAL trip of a lifetime with other passionate explorers, and National Geographic professionals. It would just be so amazing to learn and explore the culture, lifestyle, and wildlife of Peru! I hope I can have this opportunity to get to experience this trip! Good luck, and again, thanks for blogging Grace! I hope you will have time to write some more (if you're not busy with schoolwork and exploring of course)!
GASP why does my name always disapear!!!!!! this is jazzbirdexplorer!!!!!! sheesh!
anyway, thanks for reading everything Grace!
I hope everyone had a nice weekend!
Hi Grace! Luckstomper here,
It's so nice to hear from you again. PEACE!
~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
I hope I and others win this trip! Good luck to everyone on this blog and across the country who entered! I want to win this soooooo bad, and I'm sure many, many others want to too. So good luck (to me, you others who blog, and everyone else who entered)! :)
HI GRACE!!! Wow I love your picture that you entered! It's pretty amazing. Grace, I have a lot of questions to ask you! Here they are:
1. What was your favorite thing you did on HOEC?
2. Was it annoying having cameras take pictures of you?
Nebraskaboy:
hi!!! thanks for commenting on my blog post =)
1. my favorite thing? wow, that's tough. i would hafta say that holding the koala was pretty amazing. but i gotta say, everything on that trip was amazing!! the other day i thought back to the trip, and realized: wow. im 16 now. in 2008 i was 14. i had so much fun!! so much time has passed!
2. actually, not to bad...it was a little awkward, and i was SOSOSOSOSO nervous when the tv guys interviewed me, but mostly i focused on all the sights i could see. it was amazing!!
if you have any more questions, just ask away!!
thanks :)
~Grace