Travels Down Under:
Learning about the Aborigine and Canberra

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

* Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia *

Early to rise, a quick breakfast, soon enough Sir Thomas Leaf and Sir Bluey Bee were off on another grand adventure – this time to learn a bit about Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory as well as its original inhabitants – The Aborigine. The amazing Lady Mikki of the Australian National Museum arranged a personal tour of the Museum for the adventuring duo. A speedy drive from Isabella Plains on to Canberra trying to avoid those curious critters that stand tall like a man brandishing a deer head without antlers hopping across the roadside. Sir Thomas Leaf has been finding Australia a unique oddity in its colorful assemblage of unique critters, flora and fauna even though much of the countryside of the ACT reminded him of areas of North America. They drove by the Black Mountain Tower, a spinning restaurant overlooking Canberra, past the Botanical Gardens, and on into the National Museum. The part European and part Aborigine personal guide greeted the explorers for a personalized tour of the Museum beginning in the Aborigine gallery. They began by crossing the Australian Dream Land into the “Old New Land” and explored the artifacts, culture, and history of Australia’s original inhabitants. Sir Thomas Leaf was in complete awe of the Australian culture and artifacts wishing someday he could do archaeology here and study the Aborigines. Moving through the history and the Dream Land the explorers investigated all of the history of Australia including the new exhibit “Not Just Ned” covering the history of the Irish settling in Australia. “Fascinating history” Sir Thomas Leaf pondered. A nice lunch was had with Sir Thomas Leaf, Sir Bluey Bee, and Lady Mikki attended by some assistant curators. After exploring the Museum, they took to the lake and admired the exotic wild birds found throughout the area. Sir Bluey took Sir Thomas Leaf on a drive-a-bout around Canberra, showing him the government offices, the Parliament, the Embassies, the Aboriginal Embassy, and the general layout of Canberra. That evening, after shopping for camping gear for their upcoming coastal trip – they had some local rum and juice as a nightcap to a fine day of exploration.

Remainder of the Story, Photos and videos below the cut:

Black Mountain Tower

Canberra

Australian National Museum

Brisbane Domestic/International Airport, Queensland, Australia

Virgin Blue

Seven Sisters Tjukurpa

The Dreaming

Old Parliament House

Embassies