Wed 3-3-10 (US 3/2/10)

Yesterday we were off to see the Wildlife Farm to learn all about crocodiles(unadorable!) and Koala Bears (adorable!), Port Douglas (very quaint),the Rain Forest (oldest one in the world - over 135 billion years old- and home to two World Heritage sites, A PUB,and Wetherby Station, a working cattle station (we had a great presentation by the Aussie cowboy,dinner and lots of fun!). I feel very fotunate to be visiting this part of the world, the guide told us that only 2% of Americans ever visit Australia!

I hope to upload some pictures tonight, but must find an internet cafe in town. This computer (at the hotel) costs me $2.00 for 20 min and the cost in town is $1.00 for 20 min and the use of a USB port. This is sure different from Ecuador/Peru where the cost was $1.00 for 60 minutes. I guess those are some of the "perks" of the developed world!! Australia does not import as much as the US from China, etc. and it shows in the prices of everything...whether this is good or bad according to people's beliefs.

I found out that the "bats" I wrote about on Sunday are "fruit bats" and are harmless. They love the mango trees and roost in them. I also found out about the Aussie drinking techniques (explained at the end of this.

COUNTRYSIDE AND RAIN FOREST - We had to drive about 1 hour out of town yesterday, so got a chance to see some of the countryside. The more I saw, the more I think the country looks like a real mixture between Puerto Rico and Hawaii. There are several things named "Captain Cook", just like Hawaii...very laid back like Hawaii. There are many fields of sugar cane and there are not really mountains/volcanoes like in Hawaii. The highest "mountain" in Austrailia is only 800ft high. The temperature in this very tropical region can get below zero at the top of the mountain in winter and also be in the high 80's. There is a vast range of temperature --forest is 8000 square feet...oldest in world...older than the Amazon. The forest contains the Red Cedar tree which is related to the large Redwood trees of CA...400 species of animals here that are nowhere else in world...80% of AUS banana's and 70% of AUS coffee is grown in this forest..70 types of fruit. Australia exported the "gum tree" to California many years ago. They are the "burning bush", which is evident by the fires in CA. It is a pretty tree, but wish we didn't have it. This area receives health tax breaks (don't know why yet...asked the question and the guide said that was the subject of a later discussion). Many mangrove swamps..interesting...all the leaves are green except for a very few, which are yellow. Apparently, a few leaves turn yellow, fall off into the water...feed the fish... with the crocodile being at the top of the food chain. Leaves contain a lot of nutrients.

This region (the Table Lands) is supported by natural resources, i.e. gas, iron ore..sale of sugar cane, tourism. Most of the resources are shipped to China (including some uranium). Auto gas costs approx $4.70/gal.

PORT DOUGLAS - We had lunch at Port Douglas, which was a charming town and extremely expensive. The average cost of a house is $650,000, which is extreme for this part of the world. The average house in Cairns is $350,000. Clint Eastwood, Bill Clinton and some of the "whatevers" stay in Port Douglas for vacations.

PUB - on the way to Wetherby Station we stopped at a PUB, where the guide "shouted" (bought) us all a "pot" (small bottle) of beer. He gave us guidance on how we should "behave" in the PUB so we didn't look like tourists (ha, ha - as if we don't look like tourists!). Austrailians have been known for their drinking since the country begain with criminals from other parts of the world. They brought with them enough food for 2 years and drink for 4 (or so the story goes). Our training went like this...

To "Shout" someone means to give them the character test and means that the person is "equalizing" you in status to themselves. Rules - one must never drink alone, no "dragging of the chain" (don't drink slower than others), "immediacy" - one must "shout" someoneback a beer, "reciprocal" - large sin to buy for oneself and not buy for everyone else, "accountability" - no spilling of the beer..if do, someone can puch the person in the face.."shouting" is gender neutral. Needless to say the guide is now owed 38 beers (he's not so dumb to have "shouted" us!). It was a lot of fun!!

WEATHERBY STATION - what fun...the Aussie cowboy (Peter, pronounced "Petah") gave us a cattle "rounding" demonstration, then we all went to this wonderful home for a meal (absolutely delicious)and wine/beer. Peter and friend played the accordian and guitar and sang..then we all joined in and some danced. It was a great time..bonded more with people on the trip..great meal..great music..just an allaround great time. Must run...my 40 minutes has run out. We are going to Great Barrier Reef today...blog later. Luv all..