Day Three - Monday 19th April
2004
I can't remember the exact time we
got up today but I recall it was very early as we
were on the road by 06:30. Today's destination was
the Australian Capital city of Canberra in ACT. It's
quite a road trip but is made very easy by the
freeway system linking Sydney and Canberra.
Breakfast was at the same place we
had breakfast at two years previously. I had Coco
Pops :). There was a fair amount of road works once
again on this road and it was interesting seeing some
of the construction from two years previously
completed. Going over some of the bridges is just
amazing, as when you go over them you can't even see
the bottom where the bridge is going over. Very nice
scenery.
Unlike last time we were more keyed
up this time about the bypass road to Canberra's
airport, which saved us some time (as we were running
late). At RAAF Base Fairbairn we made a visit to 34
Squadron. Two years previously they were flying the
Falcon 900s, now it's three Challenger 604's and two
Boeing 737 BBJs.
Like last time though we were unable
to take pictures on base, although we were shown
through the 604 (where we had to wear socks over our
shoes (which have since doubled as good shoe
protectors for travelling)), and were also shown
through the BBJ. It was very impressive to go through
the BBJ as I had guarded a USAF version here at
Wellington Airport recently and was curious at what
it looked like inside. If I remember correctly it can
hold 26 people, so our trip of 23 would have fitted
in there nicely.
After Fairbairn was a visit to ADFA.
Some Kiwi students at ADFA once again showed us
around. This time by an Army Officer Cadet, and an
Air Force Officer Cadet. We visited the pool, gym,
mess, lecture theatre, and one of their rooms. While
waiting outside of the room an RAAF Officer Cadet
approached us and asked us if we knew of 41 Sqn and
the like. It turned out he was a cadet at Camden
(Australian Air Force Cadet Squadron and flying
location) when we stayed there two years ago. It was
good to see him and he remembered me too.
Following ADFA was a trip to the
Australian War Memorial, which is just stunning.
There were new exhibits too which was good for us
doing our second or third visit there.
After tea we went up one of the
lookouts and got an impressive view of the city at
night.
