Group D – World Cup Soccer
They call themselves the Socceroos. Not the most intimidating of names but the Aussie’s are quite the athletic team and have showed that they are no pushovers in International competitions. Qualifying for the first time through the Asian Football Conference (as opposed to Oceania, which was won by New Zealand), Australia may have chosen to take a harder route to the World Cup finals. They came through qualification with flying colors ahead of perennial Asian powerhouses like Saudi Arabia, China and Iran showing just how tough they are going to be for the likes of Germany, Serbia and Ghana, their Group D competitors.
Led at the front by Tim Cahill, who plays for Everton FC from Liverpool England and Harry Kewell, who used to play for Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool FC, Australia is considered an underdog but a potential sleeper who has a chance because of their sheer athleticism from the goalkeeper all the way up to their strikers.
Our Australian Outback and Australian Outback Plus Hawaii programs spends 22 days Down Under visiting some of its most amazing places – check it out!
The Westcoast Blogger
On our official Facebook Fan Page, we posted a True or False fact: ”Kangaroos cannot walk backwards.” One of our Tour Directors sent me this link to a BBC article that I couldn’t resist blogging about.
Sheep, cattle and kangaroos all eat the same type of grass. Sheep and cattle produce methane (a greenhouse gas). Kangaroos do not. This has scientists wondering if the bacteria found in the stomach of kangaroos could be used to reduce the output of methane from cows and shape thus combating global warming.
Without getting too scientific, the lack of methane is caused by the bacteria in their stomach. It is all down to the bacteria in the stomach of the kangaroos. Researchers have isolated 40 different types of bacteria and are figuring out what each of them do. Kangaroos have evolved over years in Australia having time to adapt to eating those grasses. Sheep and cattle arrived within the past two centuries.
If you want to see Australia this summer AND cuddle with kangaroos and koala bears at the Crocodile Hunter’s Australian Zoo, our Australian Outback program is the way to go!
The Westcoast Blogger
Which video is your favorite? Check them out here and vote at the poll below. Voting ends at noon on October 6th.
Good luck!
The Westcoast Blogger
Video 1: Australian Outback by Evan A.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6GWZrOGlM8]
Video 2: California Community Service by Glen C.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dePd9ZpeIQ]
Video 3: Major League Madness by Matthew K.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaBlHGfnjTY]
Video 4: California and the Canyons by Emma K.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2RJ0O0t-5E]
Video 5: California Community Service by Natalia M.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3q1SbWfZAE]
Video 6: European Experience by Matthew S.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVrP6Cz8y6c]
[polldaddy poll=2036340]
The Australian Outback reaches the grand finale in Hawaii!
The Westcoast Blogger
Aloha from Hawaii, America’s tropical paradise!
What an action packed itinerary we have had since getting here. We started off our Hawaiian journey by spending some time at the beach playing football and swimming in the waves. Our hotel is incredible as it is right on the beach and beautiful pools spread throughout the village. Our first evening was spent where the action is Waikiki, having dinner at everyone’s favorite restaurant The Cheesecake Factory and exploring all the shops that Honolulu has to offer.
Our first full day in Oahu was spent hiking the world famous Diamond Head Crater. Jordan, David, Kyle, Corey and Nick were the first ones to reach the top. The view was well worth the 200 stairs we had to climb to reach the peak. Shannon, Cira, Sophie, Camille and Emma got some great pictures of Honolulu from above. Everyone could not wait to head over to Wet ‘n Wild water park to cool off from the hike. Brandon, Steven, Emily Allie and Aly had the most fun in the wave pool trying not to get knocked over. Bubba Gumps Shrimp Company was the site of Guiglielmo’s 17th birthday extravaganza where the staff made him stand up on a chair and made his birthday extra special as the entire restaurant sang Happy Birthday to him, along with Westcoast Connection travelers.
Pearl Harbor the following day was a powerful history lesson for all. Zach, Robert Ryan, and Elizabeth loved how they were not only getting beach and relaxation time in Hawaii but also knowledge of the past. Our days have been full of surfing, sand, relaxation and last minute bonding as this trip is coming to a close and we find ourselves asking, where has the time gone?
The luau was a great way to have our last dinner together as one big family and although we missed our own families back at home, we will still be very sad to say goodbye to our Westcoast Connection family.
The latest from the Australian Outback!
The Westcoast Blogger
Upon arrival in Sydney we headed out to the world famous Darling Harbor and took in a breathtaking view of Sydney from the AMP tower. Evan, Aly, and Libby got some great pictures and were showing them off to everyone. Our first full day in Sydney was just too good for words. It started off with a tour of the Sydney opera house and then taking the ferry to Manly Beach and spending the afternoon/evening there. Brandon, Sophie, Nick and Steven were stunned by how spectacular the opera house was and asked as many questions as they could to the tour guide on its history. David, Jordan, Kyle and Corey preferred Manly beach as they love beach towns and a chance to play some Frisbee and football. The Olympic site tour and Bondi beach the following day was another day not to forget. Elizabeth, Justine, Ryan, Zach and Emily got a real kick out of standing on the gold podium in the stadium pretending that they had won a gold medal. It can happen one day! Jenna, Allie, Camille, Emma and Shannon loved the quiet relaxing beach town of Bondi. They said it was a great place to tan and lay back and take it all in.
Playing the photo scavenger hunt was a huge success. Daniel, Cira, Hannah, Jake and Robert got some very funny pictures and videos of people doing hilarious things on the Darling Harbor. For example, one task was to make someone yell out “victory” into the camera and another one was to get someone on their team to flap their arms around and act like a bird. It was too hard to pick a winner so in the end everyone got two scoops of gelato from their Westcoast Connection staff team.
Our last day in Sydney started off at the aquarium and then jet boating was just too incredible. Our final meal together was on a floating restaurant.
Now, it’s off to Hawaii.
Love Always
