Frankland Islands Cruise

Fukushima Kids visited Frankland Island! 

We really appreciated to Frankland Islands Cruise for invite Fukushima children.

https://www.franklandislands.com.au/

They all really excited!

45min bus ride from city then 60min cruises.

You can enjoy river & Ocean cruise.This is very special!

After 11th March, Kids haven't swum in the ocean in Fukushima.

So they really excited to go to Island today.

Arrived Frankland Island!!!

Semi submarine tour.




They could see turtle and beautiful coral under the water.

Snokeling.

Lunch Time

There were choice either walking Island or more swim after lunch.

Fukushima kids choose to swim, because they can't swim at home, they wanted to stay in the water as long as they can.

They had a great time.

Really enjoyed nature at Frankland Island.

Koki did speech a couple time on the boat talk about Fukushima situation and his dream.

Thank you very much for listening.

Thank you so much for invite Fukushima kids for this beautiful Frankland Island.

http://www.franklandislands.com.au

We really appreciated.

Thank you so much for your support Jimmy, Yuki , Minami and all staff.

Cairns Sun Article.

Thank you!!!

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Fukushima Kids's report

Manaka Mashiko

Today is the day I looked forward to the most. At my school in social studies class, my teacher said that Great Barrier Reef is very beautiful and corals are adorable. Since then, I’ve always wanted to go there. I’m so happy that my dream came true today. It was my first time to try　snorkeling and I was worried whether I can do it well, but I was able to breathe from the mouth well, which was good. Here, I became closer to Ririko. I saw the Ririko was struggling to swim, so I helped her and chatted to her. I realised that we get along well and became closer as friends. Up til then, we were just friends but throughout the camp, she became my closest friend. I was able to stay good friends with her, which was great.

Mito Kondo

Today, we went to Frankland Islands from the morning.

The ocean was beautiful and I was really moved. In the semi-submersible submarine, I saw many coral reefs. I was able to also see fish and turtles, which was really fun. I also did snorkeling and was able to dive quite deep into the sea. Table corals were very beautiful!

For lunch, we enjoyed delicious buffet. 

On the return boat trip, I slept because I was tired. I was also able to sleep on the bus, which was good.
After this, I hanged out with Himari. We played on trampoline and went out shopping, which was fun!

Himari Hamatsu

March 31st Himari

Today, we went on the Frankland Islands tour.

In the semi-submersible submarine, we were able to see a sea turtle, which was great.
We also did snorkelling together. We were able to see many beautiful corals, which was awesome. There were also many fish.

We enjoyed lunch while viewing the stunning sea. It was delicious. 
After lunch, we went swimming together. We took many photos, which was great.
I slept on the return boat and bus rides.

Going to the sea for the first time in a long while was really tiring but really fun.:-)
Thanks to everyone's support, we were able to enjoy such fun and precious experience. Thank you so much.

Koki Fujita

Today, I went to Great Barrier Reef, which was somewhere I looked forward to going.

 The place was far more beautiful than what I saw in my school textbook. I would describe the place as heavenly.

When I dipped my feet in the sea, I felt a strange and mysterious kind of sensation. It felt like I reunited with a friend I had not seen in a very long while. For me, I think it's been about 10 years since I last went into the sea. Swimming with a pair of fins on my feet was something unfamiliar and I struggled with it, but I realised how much I love the sea. 

On the return boat trip, I did a speech in English. The person I was speaking to frequently nodded, so I 

was able to speak with feelings.

In the last two days, I started to enjoy making speech very much. Bit by bit, I started to gain confidence. I want to give it my best to improve it. I noticed that the more I do speech, the more I become better at pronunciation, and I feel that it's evident I'm growing more.

 I look forward to doing more speeches tomorrow.

Ririko Kanno

Today, we went to the Great Barrier Reef.
It was what I looked forward most in coming to Australia. I was really excited to go.
We finally reached there and it was really beautiful.

I thought that the part where the green turns to blue in the waters was very beautiful. 
I went on a submarine for the first time. On it, I saw corals and fish. It was a bit hot in there, but I really enjoyed myself. We went on an uninhabited island. We chose and put on wet suits, fins and masks, and with the staff there, we said "let's go!" and off we went to the sea.

At first, I struggled to keep the mask on. Bt Maki san assisted me with that, which was helpful. From there on, we dived and swam a bit. I kept on wanting to breathe from my nose but I was able to breathe with my mouth. It was good. It was tiring but I really, really enjoyed myself.

Emiru Okabe

March 31st Emiru Okabe

Today, we went to the Frankland Islands. 
It took a while to reach the island, but once I saw the beautiful sandy beach, the feeling of being tired instantly went away!!

First, we went on a semi-submersible submarine and saw some corals. 
We managed to see a sea turtle, which was great.
With snorkeling, it's been a while since swimming with fins so I was happy :-)
Lunch was delicious, too, and I learnt about bits of general knowledge from the tour guide.
It was disappointing that the waters were slightly cloudy, but I was so happy that I was able to enjoy the world heritage with my own skin!!

On the boat, I was able to smile and greet various people.
But just a bit frustrating that I'm not able to chat to people a lot like Fujiko (Koki).
But since there is only one day left, I want to be more proactive in talking with people.
I'm aware we are receiving such big discount on this trip and great services because of the support from many people. To express gratitude to these people, I really want to show it more in my attitude.

Miku Iwasaki

We went to Frankland Islands. It was what I looked forward to most in this trip.
When we arrived at the island, we first went on a semi-submersible submarine. Then, we went back to the island and enjoyed snorkeling. I struggled to put on the mask properly, but I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ocean in the end.

Last summer, I went to the sea in Hyogo prefecture but it was not that spectacular, This time, the sea was stuningly beautiful and I'm so happy we went together as eight of us.
There are only three days left for all eight of us to be together, so I really want to cherish the remaining time together.

Masato Kaneko

Frankland Islands Masato Kaneko

Today, I swam in the sea for the first time in a long while. This is because after the nuclear accident, the sea in Fukushima had become contaminated and it no longer became possible to swim in it.
Frankland Islands' ocean was beautiful and it moved me. I'd love to swim there again. 
In fact, it was my first time to do snorkeling there. It was really fun to swim into the unfamiliar waters with Mito and Fujiko (Koki). 

For lunch, there was buffet and we ate a lot of meat. Since coming to Cairns, I may have eaten the most at this point. In Fukushima, it's almost unheard of to eat so much meat by the seaside so it was very good.
I'd love to do something like this in Fukushima some day.

Therefore, I'd love to take part in restoring Fukushima's environment to the point that I can do something like this.

Thank you so much Frankland Island Cruises once again.

http://www.franklandislands.com.au/

Fukushima kids really enjoyed day out with Frankland Island Cruise.

We really appreciated continous support.

Paronella park and Malanda Organic Farm

After visited Nick's place , Fukushima kids visited to Paronella Park.


http://www.paronellapark.com.au/


Thankfully,  Paronella park invite Fukushima kids every year.

Also Paronella park offered voucher for our charity event each year.

We really appreciated continuous support!











Fukushima kids really felt special energy at Paronella park.



After beautiful tour, Kids wrote dream letter.



They really enjoyed beautiful scone for lunch.


Mark san said to kids  " Your dream come true!"





Thank you so much for this great opportunity, Mark, Judy, Junko, Emi and all staff at Paronella park.


Fukushima kids really love this amazing place and we really appreciated continuous support.


http://www.paronellapark.com.au/


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We visited Malanda School and joined Inge's class.






Everyone did speech in the class room.

They talked about Fukushima situation.


Well done!  everybody.



After Speech, discussion time.




Fukushima kids were really happy to connecting with local kids.

Thank you so much Inge san for great opportunity!



After that, We visited Inge&Taka's Malanda farm.



Taka talked about his life and journy.

He joined peace walk in Australia when he was 24.
Then,he joined peace walk in Japan.

He walked for "World peace and Nuclear Free."


Then He started his organic farm in this area.

His speech touched Fukushima kid's heart.


This is Taka's part of speech.(Japanese)

https://www.facebook.com/maki.kitaimccarthy/videos/1514533865237567/?l=1659333958775472870


He is amazing.

He suggested to kids to talke to people directly not only net.


He does what he can do. He would like to grow healthy vegitable for children.

Also He wanted to invite children from Fukushima.


Taka said

"Your experience in Fukushima in 2011 was must be very hard thing.

But what you can do is you share that experience to other people.

If you feel like, please do so in Australia and Japan, wherever you go.

It will lead to peaceful worlld. I believe."











Fukushima kids sharing their message for Taka.

It was really great meeting!

Thank you Taka& Inge family for great opportunity.

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Taka sell his organic vegitable at Maruyu.(1st and 3rd saturday of Month)

Dawn Harvest Market at Maruyu→

https://www.facebook.com/Maruyu-Cairns-Japanese-Convenience-Store-1455737344696318/

Fukushima Kids Report

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Koki Fujita

Farm stay (day 1) 

After saying bye to the host family, we visited Nick's house. He lives an ecologically sustainable life. What was most striking was that he relies solely on solar energy to generate power to his house. I related to his comment that it's not good to use nuclear technology for purposes other than medical uses. After this, there was an opportunity to interact with local junior high school children. I was really touched that Australian students would think together with us about Fukushima. I'd love to see them again one day.

After this, we went to Taka-san's organic farm. Taka san's story was very interesting and there was something about his story that was magnetising. To Taka san, it's important to be proactive in taking actions in consideration of others, and I think we should learn from that attitude.

I also want to cherish encounters with people. When we think about encounters with people, I felt that greeting was important. So, in the remaining trip in Australia, I want to value greetings and expressions of gratitude as I expand my connections with people here.

We also went to the dream castle in Paronella Park. There were man plants there that I would not find in Fukushima, which surprised me. I heard from the tour guide that Jose Paronella had a lifelong attitude to make his dream come true. Like him, I, too, want to give it my all in making my dream come true.
For lunch, we had some bread (scones). As I was eating it, I was thinking about myself in the future. I thought about pursuing a career that will make the most of the experiences I'm going through right now.

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 Emiru Okabe

March 27th Emiru Okabe

Today, there was a pick up early in the morning.
I felt that Australia's sky is bigger and wider than in Japan and the stars were beautiful.
Nick's place had solar panels from various countries such as Japan and China. He gets his water from rain-filtered water and generates his own electricity, which I thought was wild! The river flowing by his house and the trees in his garden were all very big and magnificent.

It made me think that if Fukushima, Japan and other countries - even though it might be challenging - will adopt more renewable energy such as solar energy, then better lives can be lived out here on this planet.

It was my first time to see a motorbike charged fully by battery, so I was surprised.
At Paronella Park, I felt the temperature and humidity rise immediately...
Hearing about how Jose completed 90% of the castle by himself without relevant formal qualification, and how he kept trying to make his lifelong dream come true over many years, it made me think about Fukushima's reconstruction processes and how I want to press on without losing sight of the goal, even if it means taking it bit by bit.

After going around the park, we had some scones and wrote a letter to ourselves in one year's time. I wondered how myself in a year's time will feel reading this letter.
We then went to a local school and made a speech there. I shortened it a bit, but I read it too fast. I also made a very simple comment. I'd love to try better next time.

Then we went to Taka-san's organic farm. Hearing Taka-san's story, I was reminded of the importance of cherishing encoutners with people and owning the opportunities that come before you.
There are so many things to be thankful for.

At Mareeba farm, I really enjoyed helping out with dinner preparations and also cooking the marshmallows. I hadn't done camp fire in a while. The smoke was quite strong but it was very fun!!
Today, I spoke English a lot and said my comments, too.
I want to be able to convey what I think better.

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Himari Hamatsu

Today we did many things such as going to Nick’s house, Paronella Park, a school, then listening to Taka about organic vegetables. We spent a long time for transportation so I got a bit tired.

-Nick’s house
There were many things that I saw for the first time such as a motorbike that is powered by the electricity. I was impressed to hear that Nick has been using the solar power since the time solar panels were expensive. I thought Nick was awesome as he is living a self-sufficient life. It gave me the opportunity to think about saving energy.

-Paronella Park
At Paronella Park we fed some carp fish. We learned about a lot of history. The scone was yummy.
-School
It was good to know the opinions of students who are younger than me. I tried vegemite but I didn’t really like it. But it was good that I could try it.

-Taka’s farm
It was good to listen to various things such as uranium. I first heard about Peace Walk and I want to find out more about it. I also learned the importance of people’s connections.

I want to visit these places again when I come to Australia next time. It was wonderful to have these precious experiences.
Thank you very much. 😊

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近藤見時

Today we first went to Nick’s place. 

There were many solar panels, and he was having a self-sufficient life style. The thing that I was impressed the most was the rechargeable motorbike that can be charged from the power point. I heard it can drive up to 70km/h, it’s amazing.


At Paronella Park that we visited next, I felt the strong passion of Jose toward the water fall and the castle. Also it was fun to feed the fish.

At the school in Malanda village, we listened to the opinions of younger kids than me. We also gave our speeches. They listened to us with sympathy so I was impressed and happy.

At Taka’s farm, I learned that Japan is importing 30% of uranium. When I learned about Peace Walk for the first time, I thought I wanted to participate in some activities for world peace.
Thank you very much for today!

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Miku Iwasaki

This morning, I woke up at 4.30am and met up with everyone.

First, we went to visit Nick’s house to see how he lives off solar panels.

Having seen lifestyle based on renewable energy, I was reminded of the importance of promoting renewable energy not only in Japan but everywhere
around the world.
After this, we went to Paronella Park. I learnt about how Jose gave his best in constructing his dream castle, and how he realised his dream. It’ important to decide what your dream is and then head towards that dream.

After this, we visited a local school. I made a speech to a class of Year 7 students. Everyone listened to our speech really attentively, and I thought that their attitude was really impressive. In Japan, not many people take interest in things about other countries. However, I felt that it’s important to take interest in lots of things and then to try to understand those things. I’d like to be able to take steps to understand things when I take interest in things.

After this, we went to Taka’s farm. If you cherish the relationships you have with people, then good outcomes will follow that. I want to treasure the relationships I have with people and interact with different kinds of people.

Lastly, we went to the farm where we’ll spend two nights. We had steak for dinner and we were full. Tomorrow, we are continuing to stay on at the farm
so I want to be proactive in doing things that I don’t get to do in Fukushima.

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金子正斗

Farm stay (Day 1) Masato Kaneko

Today, we left early to go to Nick's house. At Nick's place, we learnt about renewable energy. I was reminded that after the nuclear accident, Fukushima prefecture is aiming to supply all its electricity using renewable energy, and there were many aspects to his story that I can relate with. In the future, I also want to pursue an ecologically sustainable life, similar to Nick's.
After departing Nick's place, we went to the dream castle in Paronella Park. I want to cherish the attitude that Jose Paronella had in persevering to see his dreams come true. My dream is to become a maritime safety official, so I want to have a heart that never gives up in realising that dream. In fact, I will make that dream come true.
Later, I went to a local school and had an opportunity to meet and talk with my peers. I was curious what my peers in Australia are interested in so I asked, and the answer was 'Yo-kai Watch'. So I felt that maybe their interests are somewhat different from Japanese people. After this, we went to Taka-san's farm. I heard about his heroic story, and about how children younger than me participated in peace walk. This made me feel like if there are things that I can do for others, that I should be proactive in doing that. I also heard about him walking from Sapporo to Kyushu. At night time, we ate steaks that Jason made for us. It was delicious. Not only that, but many people...

...It was good to learn that many people are behind this programme. There are many things that I've learnt during the last three days, and I'd like to be able to apply those learnings in my future life. I'd love to try things that I won't get to do in Fukushima.

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Manaka Mashiko

Farm stay (Day 1) Manaka
Despite it being the first day, the time and distance of moving from one place to the other was so long that my feet were very worn out. I visited two farms. The first place was Nick's place, where I learnt about the importance of nature and renewable energy. When I heard about his stories, I felt that in terms of electricity, Japan's problem can be described as 'luxurious' and I felt that perhaps the Great East Japan Earthquake may have been a heavenly punishment to Japan. At Taka san's farm, I learnt about how to cherish encounters with people.

 I have not been good at human relationships and I was struggling with it. When I heard about Taka san's story, I was really touched. I heard about peace walk in Japan and Australia and I thought it was amazing how he walked a long distance from Hokkaido to Kyushu. When I heard about junior high school student taking a leave from school for half a year to join in and complete the walk, I thought 'wow, someone my age...' and it felt like my heart was about to stop. When I heard that a primary school student also walked, I felt dizzy. Paronella Park seemed to be like ruins and rubble. However, I was surprised to hear that they restored the place and that it's used as wedding venue. 

I came across the fountain which tells you how your dream might come true according to how the coin goes in it, and I was looking at it intently. The waterfall was very powerful and it was touching. I'd love to know more about Australia.

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Ririko Kanno




Today, we left the host family’s place early in the morning to meet up with everyone.

At Nick’s place, I was surprised to see that he produces the energy for his house all by himself and rides a battery-run bike. I was also surprised to see how big his house was. There were plants there that were not in Japan.

In Paronella Park, there was a beautiful castle there and it was amazing.
It was sad to hear that there was fire and some parts were burnt. At the waterfall, I saw a rainbow bridging over it, and that was beautiful.

After this, we went to local school. I felt really nervous making a speech.
The students at school were in Year 7 and their Japanese language was really good. I haven’t had much opportunity to interact with people outside
Japan so it was a lot of fun.

Then, I heard about Taka-san’s story. I was surprised to hear that he walked all over Japan. We then went to the farm and made some food.

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Paronella Park

http://www.paronellapark.com.au

Taks's organic vegetable for sale at Maruyu twice a month.

Please check out date.

https://www.facebook.com/Maruyu-Cairns-Japanese-Convenience-Store-1455737344696318/

Thank you for long drive, Ben.

http://www.play-earth.info/australia-life

Thank you very much for meanngful day.

We really appreciated all your support.