Oppgave: "Du befinner deg i Australia og skriver et brev til en venninne i Norge, brevet skal inneholde fakta."
Dear Jen!
Now I’m in Australia, “Down under”! The flight was OK, though it was immense long. I’ve been attending Australian school for about two weeks. The students there are very nice, but I miss my friends back home in Norway. I’m studying in Australia because I want to learn some new things. I’m studying English, and it’s great! Australian and Norwegian schools are basically the same, but Norwegian school days are shorter, and I have to wear a uniform here. It was unusual in the beginning, but I’ve got used to it now.
Melbourne
My school is centrally situated in Melbourne, which is the second-largest city in Australia. I’ve taken pictures, this is one of Melbourne. The weather here is great! It is absolutely the best! Even in winter, though it is summer for the moment.
The platypus is one of my favourite animals. I saw it in a national park one day, and got amazed. The platypus only lives in some areas, mostly in national parks. It has a bill that resembles a duck's bill, but is actually an elongated snout covered with soft, moist, leathery skin and sensitive nerve endings. The body of the platypus is 30 to 45 cm long. The flattened tail measures 10 to 15 cm in length. The feet are webbed. The body and tail are covered with a thick, soft, woolly layer of fur, from which long, flat hairs protrude. The platypus has three layers of fur:
1. An inside layer to trap air and keep the animal warm.
2. A middle layer which works like a wet suit.
3. An outer layer to feel if it is close to objects.
Platypus
A platypus grows to a maximum weight of 1 to 2,4 kg. The platypus is known to live for at least 12 years in the wild. Whilst underwater the platypus has its eyes and ears shut, and being buoyant, it must continuously swim downwards with its webbed forefeet to remain submerged. When I was in the national park, I managed to take a picture of the marvellous animal. I learned more about the other animals too, but I haven’t got time to tell you in this letter. I can show you a picture of the koala, though. It is very cute! I saw it in the national park as well, climbing in a tree.
Koala
I’ve visited Australia’s biggest city, Sydney. It is a beautiful city surrounded by marvellous nature. Sydney is also encircled by the big harbour, Port Jackson. This was where the first convicts arrived in 1788. It’s about 3,3 million inhabitants in Sydney, and it is a “plural-culture” society. Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney’s most well-known landmarks. The building of the bridge was finished in 1932. It is an awe-inspiring building.
Sydney with view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House
If you are at Harbour Bridge, it isn’t far to the Opera House. The Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, drew it. The building of the house was finished in 1973. It isn’t just a magnificent house, it has become a symbol of Sydney. I also managed to take some pictures in Sydney. This is only one of them. The view there was fantastic, you have to experience the feeling. It was fantastic!
Now I have mentioned Melbourne and Sydney, but I’ve also visited Ayers Rock! In the middle of the desert, in the middle of Australia, rises an impressive 348 meter tall red block of stone. Ayers Rock is like an iceberg in the flat landscape, it measures 9,4 kilometres at the base and geologists believe it might reach as far as 60 kilometres belove the surface. Ayers Rock, or Uluru, as the aborigines call it, is Australia´s national symbol and biggest tourist attraction.
Ayers Rock
Since I want you to get a “taste of” Australia, I’ve put some pictures in the letter. I hope you like them, and come visit Australia some day. I recommend you.
The harbour in Cairns, Queensland
Cape Tribulation in Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland
Well, I guess I’ll see you in six months. Wish me luck on my final exam! Give my regards to all my other friends in Norway.
Yours affectionately, Camilla.