My list of firsts (Part 4 – Final Installment)

This is the final installment of my list of firsts. My trip through northern Australia has come to an end. I am glad to say that a bit more adventuring took place than I had expected for the GSE program. People, places, history – those were the things I wanted to connect with while in Australia. I feel satisfied with the new experiences and connections made during my trip.

The final installment of my lists of first includes my: 

-first Australian meat pie

-first taste of local tropical fruit- mangosteens, dragon fruit, custard apple, and rambutan

-first time I've gone white water rafting

-first time playing lawn bowls

-first time eating kangaroo

-first time holding a python

-first time holding a koala

-first time hand-feeding a kangaroo

-first time seeing a banana tree up close

-first time learning about Australia's sugar cane industry

-first time watching an outdoor orchestra performance at sunset

-first time learning about crown of thorns starfish and their effect on the Great Barrier Reef

-first time I admitted my love for Australian butter – this one pack I ate was made of 88% milk fat!

-first time at Australian beachfront markets (in Airlie Beach)

-first time enjoying a beach in Australia - at Magnetic Island

(Getting a tour of a sugar mill.)

(A night in Ingham; taking in a concert in the park and learning lawn bowls.)

(Holding on to some of nature's other creatures.)

(Yummy local fruit.)

(Taking in the beach.)

(Meat pies. A tasty taste of Australia.)

 

(Adventuring included white water rafting with new friends.)