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Australia-New Zealand Adventure  wo days before our departure for "Down Under" on October 25 & 26th a 14 inch snow storm began which downed trees that were still in full leaf & some homes and businesses lost electricity for up to a week. The city arborist noted that in driving the city, he did not see one single tree that had escaped the storm. The Lt. Governor stated that the city looked as though a tornado had hit it. A professor of meteorology stated that the probability of this event is once in 200 years! The morning of our departure the temperature was down to 8 degrees F. As we were driven to the airport we saw some of the storm's magnitude that was later described as "thousands upon thousands of elm, oak, linden and maple trees lost in every city neighborhood that made everyone's heart heavy. When we think about Nebraska weather, this storm will be our benchmark, our inevitable point of comparison, our before and after."
After 31 hours in airports and on planes we finally arrived in Hobart, Tasmania. It was hard to believe that we had left all that snow, destruction and disruption and had arrived to sunshine, semi-warmth, smiles, calls of welcome, champagne and wonderful tiny sandwiches and gardens galore! This was the beginning of four weeks of lasting friendships, shared laughter, sightseeing, and small gatherings of people who genuinely enjoyed being together. Some of the things we remember about Hobart are: the group singing "Happy Birthday" in the reception room of Parliament House following a guided tour, by of all people, a '69 graduate of UNL! Splendid views of water and sailboats everywhere. Invited to a home where the Eclectic Quilters were meeting and enjoying tea and sweets. The small corner "everything store" where my day host & I enjoyed the best toasted cheese, ham, and tomato sandwich ever. The Saturday open air Salamanca Market filled with stalls of the most beautiful fresh vegetables, crafts, and an assortment of goods. Hearing the wonderful music produced by Natalie "the bag lady" who played the grand piano in the lobby of a high-class hotel. Eating fresh oreo dory fish and chips on a bench on the wharf with our hosts and Joe, the 27 year old Ambassador, who shared the home with us. Magnificent views of Hobart and its harbor from the top of Mt. Wellington where we were met with such strong winds that we could hardly stand. Visiting the Deepings Wood Turner way out in the heart of the countryside where we purchased a number of Christmas gifts. Grilled whole fresh salmon plus leg of lamb & one of many wonderful pavlovas shared with a group of 19. Lots of kiwi that are much more tasty then those we get in the States plus fresh strawberries everywhere. The Village of Richmond with the oldest bridge in Australia and a tour of the old Goal and shops. BBQ steaks at a beach home with friends of our host. Trying fresh mussels found on the beach and watching a wind surfer's persistent attempts to stay upright. Cadbury Chocolate Factory tour where we quickly had our fill of their marvelous candy. Hot damper, a dense bread, served on planks of wood with heavenly Devonshire cream and raspberry jam along with billy tea made over an open fire at Bonorong Park were we had close up views of koala, wallabies, Tasmanian Devils (who no one would want to approach close up). Welcoming and Farewell parties in homes high on hills with grand views. Flowers of every kind, but particularly the roses whose bushes were as tall as people and flowers of unbelievable diameter and beauty. Our hosts' adorable dog, Pollie. Hedges that were easily 10 to 12 feet tall. Sad farewells with hugs and tears barely contained. We were greeted in Sydney with a welcome banner and a small group of our Newcastle hosts who gathered us and our luggage for the two hour bus ride up the coast where everyone was met by their hosts and whisked home to unpack. Some of us experienced our first roast chunks of pumpkin which is different than the pumpkin for pies that we are used to. It was quite good and we enjoyed it frequently during the next several weeks. We had a delicious roast leg of lamb as well as fresh spinach from a friend's garden. A delightful evening was spent with hosts and other family members where we laughed a lot about the items I had included in our "green exchange book" about Australian lingo and food. Next day my host and I attended an annual service held each year at a different church (this year Scots Kirk Presbyterian). The gathering was the VIEW Club (Voice-interest-Education for Women). We joined a number of other Ambassadors and their hosts at Blackbutt Reserve where we had a lunch of newly netted and cooked prawns with salad, and lemon on fresh bakery rolls accompanied, of course, by champagne and tea (hot). Strolled through areas that held native animals in very natural settings. That evening was set aside for group dinners held at the homes of non-hosting Friendship Force members - a great idea. All hosts and their ambassadors plus other non-hosts were scheduled for one of about eight homes. Usually the home where dinner was served provided the main course while others contributed wine, "starters", salad, and dessert. Worked very well. Then came the day of the long-awaited GREAT CRICKET MATCH - AUSTRALIA VS. U.S.A. Most participated in practice so that 1, as USA Exchange Director, could select the members of the U.S.A. team. Boy, are we Americans soft; those Australians are much more physically fit and agile - must be all that fresh air! Well, they tried to fix the game so it would end in a tie, but somehow it failed, and they won 69 to 68 - but we all had lots of fun and laughs and that was the purpose of it anyway. We wore the T-shirts that we arranged to have printed "AUSTRALIA VS USA - Cricket Team Member - The Friendship Force, Newcastle, Australia, November 7, 1997." Our 27 year old Ambassador, Joe, ended up running for many of the USA team members. Of course, we had really tried hard to learn the rules of the game and it finally made some sense at practice. We finished with a steak and sausage BBQ and a cake to surprise two Ambassadors on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Next day we saw lots of Dolphins (or the same ones lots of times) on a Dolphin Cruise after which everyone gathered at Little Beach with their fold up tables and chairs, real dishes, silverware, and champagne for a fabulous fish & chips lunch followed by hot tea and "a slice" (cake). This group really enjoys being together. Newcastle members believe in lots of hugs and kisses for everyone. Another BBQ with lamb chops and sausages with other hosts and ambassadors. We were day hosted for shopping and a drive through the vineyards of the Hunter Valley with a lovely picnic lunch that included potato salad made with fresh, chopped mint - very tasty. Farewell Dinner was an indoor spit cooked meal of beef and pork and all the trimmings - delicious. We enjoyed the reception by Lord Mayor Greg Heyes that included orange juice, coffee, hot tea, scones with Devonshire Cream and fresh strawberries plus 6 kinds of warm, freshly baked cookies - what a treat! Went to the old train shed for a picnic with several other clubs plus The Friendship Force -Colorado Foot Hills from Evergreen that was being hosted by The Friendship Force of Central Coast, Australia. Up early the next day for good byes and drive to Sydney by some of our hosts who gave us a fine introduction to this huge city by way of a ferry boat ride from Manly Beach to Circular Quay in the heart of the Sydney Harbor. This provided us with a fantastic view of the Sydney skyline with the Opera House and Coat Hanger Bridge right before us We then took the grand tour of the Opera House and were able to sit in on the rehearsal of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Ballet Company - both were fabulous! We were driven around the city and had lunch atop the Centrepoint Tower - more than 1000 feet above the street. On this absolutely smog-free day we had a 360 degree view of the entire Sydney metropolitan area. The delicious lunch buffet included, among other things, trout, prawns, crab, Roasted Emu and Kangaroo, and Pavlova. It was then on to a quick tour of the Queen Victoria Building. This imposing sandstone building now houses 200 elegant shops with beautiful stained glass windows and mosaic floors. A unique clock displays scenes of English history on the hour. That night friends treated us to dinner and show on the Sydney Showboat with spectacular views of the nighttime Sydney skyline. The next day we were flying to Auckland, New Zealand for our next home hosting. Several mishaps occurred which gave us some unexpected things to talk about back home. The only night of our trip that we stayed in a hotel, the scheduled electric shutdown unexpectedly affected the telephones and prevented our requested 5:00 AM wake-up calls. Instead, someone walked up to the 13th, 14th, and 15th floors to knock on our doors! Some had to shower and shave by flashlight. The electricity did come on in time for our luggage to be taken to the lobby via the elevators, thank goodness since we must have had close to 100 bags between the group! It was off to Melbourne where we were scheduled for a 2 hour wait that turned into 5 hours plus because of Australia's frequent baggage handlers' strike. This resulted in several of us being interviewed by the local ABC TV station who wanted to know if the strike was disruptive to us. Well it meant that our Howick, New Zealand hosts were delayed more than 3 hours in meeting our plane in Auckland and a group meal at their clubrooms had to be canceled - what a day! However, all's well that ends well. We were then off and running for the start of our third week. The next morning we were treated to a traditional Maori cultural greeting by young ladies from a nearby high school as well as a reception by the Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis. Here we were served such treats as chicken and ham salad sandwiches, the later with shredded beet root; a wide variety of fresh fruits, scone halves with butter and, of course, orange juice, coffee and hot tea. Sir Barry introduced a Maori elder who led the cultural welcome. I was presented a colorful scarf and my husband, Art, a tie from the Managua City Council. I presented a number of gifts, including a letter and key to the city of Lincoln from Mayor Mike Johanns, to both the Mayor and the Maori Elder. This welcome was a very serious learning experience that included both songs, in their native Maori language, and dance. We toured the Auckland Museum and viewed Maori artifacts. Upon return to the home of our hosts, we were treated to our host's homemade Kiwi and Plum wines. Our dinner included corned beef from their daughter's farm; pickled Feijoa, tiny Guava Pineapple; snow peas, potatoes, and Florence or Sweet Fennel all fresh from the garden. These were served with homemade Beet Root Relish and Tomato Relish. How lucky we were to be offered the fruits of their garden. Speaking of fruits, our hosts harvest crops from trees in their yard of the following: Cherimoya, a South American fruit tree with huge custard apples that have the flavor and texture of vanilla custard; Meyer Lemons, sweeter than regular lemons which they also grow; Tangelos, Mandarin Oranges, Plums, Peaches, Granny Smith Apples, Persimmons, Boysenberries, Raspberries, and Loquats - what variety! We were always sampling a different wine or cordial with which our host had experimented. Next day the group enjoyed a 3-hour boat cruise with tea and lunch and later a swim in thermal pools or drinks at "Black Pete's." That night a group of 18 gathered at another hosts' lovely home with magnificent flower gardens. Here we sampled a large variety of foods including 3 Pavlovas and 2 trifles plus fresh strawberries later to be followed by hot tea and sweets (homemade shortbread and iced brownies with fruit). The next day all of us headed for Howick Colonial Village for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the community. It was a live recreation of long-ago times. We attended school and sat in old-fashioned desks and wrote our lessons on slates with flint. The teacher inspected hands, fingernails and ears. The teacher rapped on the desk for "her students" to sit erect and pay attention. What fun! One of our Ambassadors played "Amazing Grace" in the village Methodist Church. We saw their version of sod houses which are very similar to those found in Nebraska. We sampled Ginger Beer and lunched on Scones with Devonshire Cream and Raspberry Jam along with Earl Gray Tea. Our hosts drove us to "One Tree Hill" where we had a panoramic view of Auckland, Howick and surrounding area. That night we took our hosts to The Bell House where our table was strewn with fresh red and yellow rose petals and contained a candelabra -what a welcoming sight! Art and I chose cous-cous crusted tenderloin of lamb, slices of candied sweet potatoes decorated with 3 long crisp strips of sweet potato skins standing 5 inches tall atop the plate, and fresh asparagus spears. For dessert all four of us selected "Menage a Trois - a trio of homemade ice creams and sorbets." An excellent meal accompanied by the funny remarks and antics of the Maitre d' - we all shared lots of fun and laughs. A more relaxed day was spent with our host showing us some of his seashell collection including one he is credited with discovering in Fiji and which is named after him. There are only 5 in known existence; our host has two and one is in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. We dodged the raindrops and shopped in Parnell Village where we had tea and muffins. Stopped at a large grocery store to compare prices and availability of items as we know them in Lincoln. I continue to be surprised at the high cost of eggs in Australia and New Zealand - between $2.40 and $4.00 a dozen! They aren't surprised because that is what they have always paid. Catered Farewell Dinner was accompanied by speeches, gift exchange of clubs, & entertainment by both clubs and lots of fun. Monday was a 4 hour motorized yacht cruise where some went by dingy to a small island and collected shells and viewed the ocean. Spent the next day with the Exchange Director who was our Day Host. We stopped at the magnificent Rose Garden where the blooms and bushes were huge (compared to those in Lincoln), very prolific and just plain magnificent! My husband took lots of pictures while I recorded the name of the rose; some thought that we were judging the roses! My favorites were the tea roses which were usually 5 to a stem - they all looked so healthy. Words and pictures could never do justice to them. The best selling rose in New Zealand is "Sexy-Rexy." We then took the ferry to Devanport where we strolled around and enjoyed a bowl of fresh Seafood Chowder. That night the entire group and their hosts were invited to our hosts' home for fish and chips while others brought wine, salads and desserts. We celebrated three birthdays - an Ambassador's 65th, and New Zealanders Maureen and Zelma's 73rd. Early morning consisted of good byes at the bus which we took to the train that transported us about 80 miles south to Hamilton. Train was very comfortable and of course they served complimentary hot tea and muffins during our 1 1/2 hour journey. All of our hosts met us at the station with banners and bright smiles. We were being hosted by a couple whom we had hosted in Lincoln in May of 1996. It was great; we immediately were driven to Marcia's Square Dancing Club where we joined them for morning tea and lovely scones. It was then home to settle in. A surprise awaited me as we were joined for lunch by a friend whom I had hosted in St. Louis and who had hosted me for a number of days following my New Zealand exchange in 1990. Such a nice surprise visit! That night was the Welcome Pot Luck dinner with particular emphasis on fantastic sweets; everyone specially enjoyed the Brandy Snaps and cream puffs filled with rich cream. We all had a good laugh when I tried to remove what I thought was a stray hair from our Georgia friend. I soon discovered that it was attached to his chest! What a look of surprise on both of their faces and in the process ly knocked someone's cup out of her hand - thank goodness it was empty. We stopped at Rainbow Springs to see pools of trout at various stages of growth as well as walked through native settings of lush bush and trees with assorted native animal & bird life. It was then on to Rotorua, the Maori Culture, Carving and Weaving Center as well as location of hot mud pools, geysers and thermal pools. We had lunch at the Farm View Inn and then to the Agridome where we saw the varieties of sheep in New Zealand and viewed a shearing and use of dogs to control the sheep. Friday saw us at Bridal Vail Falls where my husband and our hostess were two of the very few who walked all the way down to the bottom of the falls and made it back up again. Picked up magnetic black iron-filled sand at Raglan Beach and stopped for great lemon fish (small shark) and chips - very hot and delicious and wrapped in newspaper. Went to an ocean beach and watched 13 surfers ride the waves. During our stay we had delightful visits with family members and they shared their interests with us from rural farms to a cottage with great views of the water and lovely flower gardens to a yard filled with herbs grown for local restaurants and fish tanks where sun fish were being raised to sell to pet stores. And, of course, we usually shared "a cuppa" and conversation. We participated in one of the small group dinners where we meet other non-hosting Friendship Force members as well as some of our own. Strolled through Hamilton Gardens and particularly enjoyed the Rose, Japanese, Chinese, and English Gardens. Art enjoyed the Timber Museum which consisted of a number of old buildings in a community type setting. Again we had great fish and chips at an outdoor table of a small Takeaway shop which are everywhere. Enjoyed a Hokey Pokey Ice Cream Cone for which New Zealand seems to be known. The following morning began early with a drive north along the west coast to Thames and Coromandel Coast where we had tea by the breakers; stopped and bought a 13 Kg bag of fresh mussels which we cooked and sampled when we reached home. Dinner was at Valentines where we shared a seafood buffet. Monday we had an all day trip to the Waitomo Glow-Worm Caves which we viewed from boats that glided in the dark under the glow of thousands of tiny glow worms. A surprise and rigorous 1 hour walk through bush-lined trails with lots of groups of steps, small cave passages and a swinging bridge. Those who made it even half way felt like they had experienced quite a work out. I made it about three-fourths of the way while half of the group made it all the way! It sure did test those of us with artificial joints. We really had worked up an appetite for our picnic lunch. We shopped in a nearby town and had more hokey pokey ice cream. We then visited the Kiwi House where conditions are simulated so we could watch the nocturnal bird in daytime under artificial moonlight. Saw many native birds in their natural rain forest habitat. Most of us slept on the bus home after the bush walk; however we did stop at another lovely rose garden. Farewell Dinner at the "Workingmen's Club" was our last time to perform our "Uses of the Bandana" entertainment when each of us thanked our host for times shared. Tuesday the 25th was spent by us, and I suspect others, trying to pack everything we had acquired over the last four weeks into our bulging suitcases. This was a date we were to experience twice since we crossed the International Date Line. We arrived back in Lincoln rather tired but very enthusiastic about our grand adventure. Some of the things we'll remember about this exchange are:
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