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This is our third day Down Under, and things are going swimmingly.
The Australia group is having a fabulous time in Port Douglas, learning about the tropical rain forest and getting to know the locals in this small, friendly town located right on the ocean. We traveled for 34 hours to get here, changing planes twice, and the journey from Los Angeles to Sydney required 14 hours in the air. But the grueling travel was most definitely worth it.
Australia is a very special place. Australia seems both familiar and astonishingly exotic to the American traveler. At times, the hot, humid air here near the Daintree Rain Forest reminds us of the southeastern U.S., but you'd never see a Goanna, a four foot long lizard, strolling through a picnic area just easy as you please, as we did yesterday!
Here, you can look up and see brightly colored Lorikeets flitting from tree to tree. Or a five foot tall Cassowary, a bird about the size of an ostrich with a brightly colored head that swallows whole fruits the size of large eggs, spreading the big seeds in the forest. No, this isn't the U.S.!
We began on our first full day with a river cruise, where we saw Salt-Water Crocodiles and Water Pythons, all spotted by sharp-eyed students. Nikki Williams won our "Eagle Eye" award for her ability to spot the wildlife. Our naturalist guide, Ellen Terrell, entertained us with amusing and amazing stories while teaching us about the Australian rain forest habitat. "Flying Foxes" aren't really foxes at all but more like large bats. We saw them hanging in the trees, squabbling over space and resting up for their nocturnal flights.
Our "Bravery Award" went to Leslie Dickey, for being the first to try tasting a Green Tree Ant. Yes, she ate an ant, because our river guide told us that the green part on their rear ends is full of ascorbic acid and tastes like limes! The native people of Australia loved to munch them. Now, mostly only brave students eat them. Kevin Hayes, Dr. Rhodes, and Dr. Tucker tried this delicacy as well. Yum!
Dr. Virginia Martin tried on a Python at the Rain Forest Habitat which we visited today. Courageous Dr. Martin got to know "Cuddles" the python quite well as he wrapped himself around her neck. We have a picture to prove it!
At the Habitat, we were able to see Australian rain forest wildlife up close and fed the Kangaroos and Wallabies. Several of us were able to pat a Koala. Koalas may look cute and cuddly, but they are actually quite fierce with one another, and they have sharp claws!
We are looking forward to our snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow. "No worries, mate!" from the students and faculty Down Under.
— Dr. Lynn Morton |
