It's about that time....

20 more days!!! So only 20 more days until we leave for the Outback.  For the past semester I have been attending class once a week to prepare for this trip.  Here are the main points that I have learned:

• Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands.
• Australia was established by convicts.
• Queen Elizabeth II is considered the Queen of Australia.
• Australian bars are often called hotels.
• Naming an animal that you plan to eat is illegal.
• Rum was used to barter before currency was established.
• Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Australia.
• The tropical rainforests of Northern Queensland averages 300 days of sunshine per year.
• The Great Barrier Reef was discovered when Captain James Cook literally ran into it with his ship.
• The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space.
• Over 1500 species of fish live in the Great Barrier Reef.
• A restroom is called toilet in Australia.
• 99% of farm businesses in Australia are family owned.
• Australia is the 2nd largest beef exporter in the world.
• The U.S. is the biggest market for Australian lamb exports at about 23%.
• JBS is the largest feedlot operator in Australia.
• Stock agents used to be used to arrange marriages for farmers.
• 1 in 4 cattle in Australia are Angus.
• Emus can run up to 30 mph.
• Peppin Merinos are the most prominent breed of Merino in Australia. 



EMU!

As you can see I have learned a lot this semester about Australia.  I am so excited for our trip! I am most excited to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, it is going to be so amazing! (I even got an underwater camera to take pictures...I will post some with my later posts) I am also excited to see the Sydney Opera House...its cool to see it in pictures, but it has to be spectacular! It's going to be cool to see how they live in a different country and compare it to how we live here. So stay tuned!