1 day 15 hours from now
We've made it to Australia!
Sharon and I made it to Townsville yesterday afternoon. It was my first long plane trip, and to be honest, I felt AWFUL by the time we got to the hotel. However, a good night's sleep made all the difference. Everyone here is very friendly, and of course, I love the Australian accents. We're learning the tricks of Australian English - Sharon ordered bisquits for breakfast and got a plate of cookies! (Sounds like a good deal to me). I've learned that bathroom stalls here aren't "occupied" they are "engaged." The food is interesting. Some things are the same, only in different wrappers, other things are totally new to me. The picture I've put up is the view from my hotel room in Townsville. I leave here in about an hour to take a bus to the ship's berth so I can check in and board the ship. I am so glad to be here and to be starting this adventure!
Comments
hiiiii!:)
Mrs. Pollard, You must have taken a good swim in there!!!?? hahaha!!!
Eduardo
I wish!
I didn't get to swim :( I was SO jetlagged that when I got to the hotel, I pretty much went straight to bed. Then the next morning, it was time to go get on the ship. So - no swimming. It was pretty to look at though.
Hey Mrs. Pollard
It must be weird being around new people & being at a new place! How big exactly is the ship that you are on?
Is it fun being on a ship? We hope you haven't gotten sea sick yet!
From,
Bailey & Dylan (:
Fun
Luckily, I haven't gotten seasick once! We're supposed to have some bad weather in today and tomorrow, so I hope it doesn't make me sick. I don't think it will. I have gotten used to being on the ship. The ship is about 470 feet long, so over 1 and a half football fields long. The Derrick rises 205 feet above the waterline. It's a pretty big ship. The people have been great. It's so neat meeting and getting to know people from all over the world. I feel like I'm making new friends that I will keep in touch with after I come home.
HI!!!!!!
Hi! I'm one of your students from 8th period,Mariana.That Australian language sounds cool.What else have you learned about the Australians?By the looks of it,that hotel must be fancy.Will you get to swim in the pool?And who's Sharon? Did she really get a plate of cookies instead of buscuits?Oh and,by the way,you have a brand new student named Anna.She's just learning about you.We've made sure to tell her that you love purple.I cant wait for you tell me how the rest of the trip goes.When will I get to see you again?I wonder what you've eaten in Australia.Bye!!!!!! P.S I miss you!!!
Hi Mariana!
Yes, there are alot of neat expressions in Australia. I learned that the shops here close really early! I tried to go souvenier shopping on Saturday before we left town, and everything closed at 1 pm! There were only a few stores and restaurants open. Most places close at 5:00 during the week. Sharon works for Ocean Leadership - the organization that is sending me on the ship. She is one of the ladies who interviewed me and chose me to come. And yes, she got a HUGE plate of cookies for breakfast! :) Tell Anna I look forward to meeting her when I get back. I will be back at school on Jan. 11, but you will see me on the computer for our video conference before that.
hi
Hey Mrs Pollard. How"s you're trip going so far ? i just wanted to say hi . Bye ,Manny Estrada.
hi
that is so nice mrs.pollard is that ur house. manny estrada watauga middle school .have anice journy
Hey Manny
I WISH that was the view from my house. That is the hotel I stayed at in Australia. Things are going well so far! I'll see you guys on a video conference soon.
thats so cool i bet you swim
thats so cool i bet you swim there all day you dont??
ohh well i just wanted to say hiiiii!!
have a nice journy over ther MRS. Pollard
I wish I got to swim. I
I wish I got to swim. I wasn't in town long enough!
Awesome!!!!!!!
Mrs. Pollard,
Thats cool that you made it to Australia. Is it pretty there? Hope you're having a lot of fun. I hope this will be a great experience for you.
From,
Ariel and Brittany
Haltom MS greetings
Hello Julie,
I have anxiously awaited your tour. I will be using the site in my Aspire class "So Wadda Ya Wanna Know" I look forward to all you post. Have a great time. I am so looking forward to the vicarious experience. AMANDA KNIGHT.
That's great!
Your Aspire class sounds great Amanda! Get your kids to submit some "Ask a Scientist" questions on the kids section of the blog! I warned them I'd be coming around for answers. The more curiosity we generate the better! And thanks for following the journey - The interaction with home is one of the best parts!
hiii.
hi mrs.pollard it must be cold where you are. cdoy said hey
Have a great time!!
Julie,
How long will you be in Australia? When are you expected to sail off?
Sorry to take so long with a
Sorry to take so long with a reply! I'm still getting my routine down. We were in port in Townsville until yesterday morning - we sailed out at 0700 on the 8th. So, we've been at see for about a day now and it's going really well.
Townsville
Hello Julie:
I am happy to know that you have arrived safely and are so excited about the expedition. Next week during our PDA (brand new cohort) we'll check in with you. And we will follow you though the expedition.
Enjoy your time in Townsville. I have memories of running on the beach in front of our hotel (maybe the same one) 15 years ago with other ODP folk, one of whom was Will Sager, and buying a beautiful opal ring in Kuranda (I think) on the Atherton Tableland.
Best wishes to all. Kathy
Thanks Kathy! I definitely
Thanks Kathy! I definitely want to come back to Australia when I have some time to see the sights. And do some opal shopping!
Have fun, Julie
Hi, Julie......I'm gonna miss you this upcoming TXESS PDA, but we will be thinking and talking about you. I am excited for you and I know you will have a GREAT TIME!!!
I will be checking out your blog on a regular basis.
Take care,
Michael Brunt
Awww...thanks Michael. I
Awww...thanks Michael. I miss you guys too! I'm excited to know you guys will be with me in spirit.
Julie - We Are Following You in TXESS!
Dear Julie,
Glad you made it 'down under' and are getting adjusted. We are so looking forward to following the scientific research and your involvement during the cruise. All the best from your friends and colleagues in the TXESS Revolution throughout the Great State of Texas!
Cheers,
Hilary Olson
Thanks Hilary! I'm looking
Thanks Hilary! I'm looking forward to all of it! (Especially now that I don't think I'm going to be seasick) I thought of you guys the day before we left port - I was in town making a last minute chocolate run and I passed a person in the store with a Longhorns shirt! All the way down here! Tell everyone Hi and that I miss them!
How long was the plane ride?
Hi Julie,
What an awesome view! Have fun checking in. Keep everyone in line and enjoy your adventure on the big blue ship.
Wishing we were there...
Leslie and all of us at Deep Earth Academy and Ocean Leadership
Hello Everyone!
Hello Everyone!
The plane ride was LONG LONG LONG. The four flights added up to about 23 hours I think, not counting time between flights. I have learned that I don't sleep well on planes I guess - so I was exhausted when we got to Townsville. But it was worth it--being here is the most amazing thing. Especially now that we are underway!