We were delighted to welcome the Friendship Force of Karsiyaka Bay, Turkey, on Wednesday 7th April 2010.
We were delighted to welcome the Friendship Force of Karsiyaka Bay, Turkey, on Wednesday 7th April 2010. A few of us had gone with the bus to Brisbane to pick up our Ambassadors. Since the time of arrival was not certain it was decided to hold the welcome dinner the next night.
On Thursday 8th April a tree ceremony was held in the Botanical Gardens followed by lunch and a meeting with the Mayor, Councillor Lorraine Pyefinch in the afternoon. A pot-luck dinner was held at Baldwin Swamp and was great fun with singing and dancing.
A visit to the Jabiru factory proved very interesting on the Friday morning, followed by a train ride in the Botanical Gardens. In the afternoon the Ambassadors visited the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.
On Saturday there was a visit to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks followed by the Rum Distillery. The afternoon was free for the hosts. The entire group went to the Brothers Club in the evening for dinner which went well.
On Sunday all the Ambassadors flew off to Lady Elliot Island for the day, and had a wonderful time.
Monday morning was free time, and the group assembled at the bus station for a trip to Snakes Down Under, followed by a visit to the Backpacker Memorial in Childers and a taste of Mammino's ice cream. We then went on to Woodgate to see the kangaroos, but unfortunately it was almost dark by now so they did not see much. The visit concluded with a dinner at the Woodgate Bowls Club. The Turkish ladies dressed up in traditional dress and danced for us. Their dresses were very colourful and the dancing lively.
The Ambassadors flew out on the 9.30 am flight on the Tuesday morning.
ED: David Willsher