Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Day 10

Waking up in the small village of Bedrock, we were greeted with the delicious smell of a home cooked breakfast early in the morning. Filling our stomachs with hot bacon, homegrown eggs and toast, we were ready for all that lay ahead. Day 10 was full of exploration, with volcano tours and fig tree climbing, to walking through pastures and cattle yards.

To start the trip, we went to see the Undara lava tunnels. Unlike common volcanos, this one is not located on a plate, but was created by a hot spot under the ground, and acted like a vent. Undara is an aboriginal word for long way, much like the long reaching tunnels.

While in the caves many stopped for pictures with their friends.
The Mikochi tunnel entrance was built by loose stone. 
The caves were created by the lava when a thin crust was created and poured or followed underneath that layer. The aboriginal people never did dwell in the caves as they were afraid of being trapped in and not seeing out. However, this was different for one cave. Mikochi was a tunnel that was open on both ends and has been a confirmed place of residence as they have found artifacts like crushing stones and bones. We got to take a bunch of photos, walk up the hills, and some of us even walked around the top of the volcano also known as the Kalkani Crater rim. It was interesting to see all of the trees and grass that grew in it after a couple hundred thousand years post the explosion. We then ate lunch and traveled onward to a Brahman Cattle Ranch.


A kangaroo that we named Marvin.
The leucaena plant that was used to increase protein intake in their cattle. 
The Whitewater Station is owned by the Saunder’s who raise mostly Brahman cattle over 25,000 hectares of land. The 4,500 cattle are sold as live exports as it is difficult to fatten cattle in the North. These cattle are weaned at 180 kg around a year of age, and are kept until they are around 300 kg at two years old when they are sold. One innovation this farmer has started is the use of Leucaena plant within the pastures. This plant is used to increase the protein intake in the cattle by around 21% more than their grass alone. The plant grows well in high phosphorus ground like what is found in the warm area of the North.

Mr. Tom Saunders with three of his working dogs moving the livestock to a new pen.
One of the many bulls used on the “Whitewater Station”.

After visiting the Brahman farm, we saw a fig tree that was over 500 years old and took a group photo.
The final stop of the day was at the big fig tree. This tree is estimated to be over 500 years old, and is still standing strong. Like most of the days in Australia, we were extremely busy but made memories that are sure to last a life time.

Upon finding a dead end, we decided to take another group photo, to make all the moms out there happy.

Shianne Teas and Nick Timmerman

1 comment:

  1. Love all the pix of the group....makes this "mom" happy! :)

    ReplyDelete