OK..Time to catch you up on our stay in Australia so far....It has been hectic and internet access was scarce but finally we are near Sydney and connecing should be easier..
We arrived last thursday n Melbourne after an early wake up and flight direct from Queenstwon to Melbourne. Melbourne was back to civilization for us. the whole environment was different than small town New Zealand. We missed the amazing scenery of ne wZealand but felt a bit at home back n a big city. We had a picnic lunch upon arrival, a detour for some needed medical attention for one of our campers and finally arrived in Mizrachi Synagogue in Caulfield for an amazing (for us since it was our frist in 2 weeks) pizza dinner from a local pizza establishment. After Maariv and a breif shiurthe moment finally came, when we would all meet our hosts and go to their homes for our first home sleep in many weeks. there was a bit of nervous apprehension in the air as each hosts cqme to gather their guests. But very soon the apprehension turned to relief and warmth as the Melbourne hosts were all caring special people and each cameper felt excited to meet new jews across the world and relax in aq quiet envirinement for a night or two. It was beautiful to see the hacnasat orchim of the Melboune Community and the transformation of our campers from kids to guests as theyleft with their hosts. All had a great night sleep.
FridayAM we all met at Mizrachi for a Bagel breakfast and Tefillah and then went to the Cental Park of Melbourne to glimpse the city. We got there througha quintessential Meobourne experinece , the Tram! If was a great way of feling the spoirit if the locals. the highlight (for the campers at least) was when we finally got to the Kosher shops  nd campers frantically vied for burgers or pizzas or bakery items or sweets from the local shops. Many campers stopped t but their host a small thank you gift of flowers of bakeriy items to show their appreciation.

Friday night campers davend and ate with their hosts and almost all camoers had just amazing 5 course dinnes as melbourne Jew hae famouly elaborte Shabbos meals. Shabbt day we all ate at Mizrachi shul. Campers met Australian kids their own age at the Beni Akiva Minyanim over Shabbos. Before Shabbt ended our special camper Alec feintuch shared his stroy of survival  from cancer with the camp. It was a riveting presentation and we  want to thnk Alec for having the couragwe and talent to share his story so powerfully.
Saturday night we took a city walk to the Crown Hotel Complex and campers got a first hand veiw of vibrant Melbourne night life and the beuatuful city at night.
Sunday, after a late wake up, campers visited Victoria Market for the best suvenier shopping fo the summer adn then made ther way hru the city ti federatuon Sqaure , the times Sqaure of Melbourne. We wer all surrosed to find a koshe french Frie chain in the center of the city and many of us got a bit distracted by the kosher fries.
We then went back to our hosts home to pck up and prepare for our overnight journey to the Snowy Mountains in between melbounre and Sydeny