From Sydney, students commence their four-day excursion into the Wolgan Valley, west of the Blue Mountains. Our daily walks, hikes, and mountain biking adventures set the stage for students to develop long-lasting personal fitness plans. While living in an ecolodge, students also try their hand at cricket and other group sports. As students explore the beautiful Bells Grotto and tree fern forests, their study of regional literature connects their adventure to the founding mythology of Australia. Additionally, students learn the stories passed down by the island’s First Nations peoples, that tell of the mythic creatures whose epic battles shaped the landscape into what it is today.

We then fly to the tropical paradise of Bali, Indonesia. Flying into Denpasar, students decompress from their journey along the beach-lined coast. Residing in Canguu, an adventurers paradise, students workout on the beach and even take a surfboard out for the occasional ride. Our days are spent exploring the island teeming with kingfishers, wild orchids, and monkeys, while our evenings are spent engaging in BookChats over bowls of fresh curry and grilled seafood. From Canguu, we travel northeast to the nearby city of Ubud, where our exploration of Balinese culture continues and takes us to the Tegallalang rice terraces, in the Monkey Forest, and at the Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave.’ Here, students write their final exams and afterwards, they celebrate their journey as they conclude their adventure through Oceania. On their last evening together, students reminisce over dinner and prepare for their flight home.

Departure from Denpasar, Bali Airport (Day 35)