Mid-semester break began on Friday after class... we had to leave for Cairns on Saturday morning at 4:15am for the airport. We all decided that we are college kids and are young and stupid, thus making a justification for staying out all night and going directly to the airport. NOT a good idea. The night before was fun, but the taxi ride at 4:15 physically hurt. I slept the entire three hour plane ride. Then we got to our hostel and... there are just no words. We (Kevin, Alec, Raychel, Cydney, and I) walk into our room and there are dirty sheets on the bed and a random Asian roommate chilling on a bed. The bathrooms were, um, scary to say the least. We booked it out of there and layed out at the lagoon (a public resort-style pool with sand) to figure out what to do. Raychel and Alec were walking and stumbled upon a nicer hostel that was actually $5/night cheaper. We got our money back and immediately moved into our new home. There is no beach in Cairns, just a mud/swamp area as it is blocked by the reef, so we just layed out all day. That night, Kevin and Alec had an unfortunate experience, that is only funny in hindsight. They were in a separate room than us girls and their female roommates had, uh, activities with random men all night. Luckily the next night we all moved into a 5 person room together, with two beds in one partition and three in another. I guess you get what you pay for when it's only $17/night...
On Sunday we took a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and went snorkelling. It was really indescribable. The reef was so shallow you could stand on it, although no one is allowed to, as humans are slowly killing off the reef. We saw so many species of fish, I wish I had studied up before we went. Raychel and I took an underwater camera and had some great shots- BUT we both thought the other had brought it home, so I guess another family will be enjoying our photos. We went to two reef locations to snorkel and at the second reef our group took a short trip on a glass-bottom boat. The guide showed us these giant clams, fish we hadn't noticed, and was pretty funny. They like to make fun of our accents and when we were leaving he said 'latER!' We were pretty exhausted, so we didn't stay out late that night, but we did go to the night market and paid $15 for a 40 minute Chinese massage. It looked pretty shady, but I slept sooo well.
Monday we booked a rainforest tour. The guide was a tiny bit tamer than Steve Erwin, but not much. He took us to all these little places along the route, like a small cheese factory where we ate lunch, and a couple water falls, one of which we swam in. At the place we were swimming, no crocs by the way, Raychel and I really wanted to jump from this rock, but were scared to swim over. So of course we made Kevin go first. I followed shortly after and thought I saw an eel, at which point I began doggie-paddling in frantic circles until Kev told me it was only a log. We made it to the rock and took flight a couple times. Raychel and I were proud of ourselves... :) My favorite part of the rainforest trip was Paranella Park. A Spaniard back in the early 1900s came to Australia and built a romantic Spanish-style home around a waterfall complete with a ballroom, paths all around the home, a tunnel of love, and a tennis court. At all points in the area the waterfall is visible. He was not the best architect, so natural disasters and corrosion have done a number on the place, but it is still the most romantic setting I've ever seen! Anyway, that night was Kevin's 21st birthday, so we went to a nice seafood dinner and had a few drinks. We planned on going out a little later, but once again we were all pooped. The good thing about booking these two trips through our hostel was that we got two nights accommodation free...
Tuesday we just layed by the lagoon all day again. It was 32-34 degrees celsius all week (which is low 90s fahrenheit.) That night Sam Running and her parents met up with us for a drink at dinner, and they were exactly what I expected! Now I see where she gets her bubbly/funny/kind personality. Later, we walked through an Aboriginal art gallery that took my breath away. I never took a close enough look at this type of art, but it is so intricate. They are mostly dots/leaf shapes/and patterns that tell stories and dreams. We also went through a Peter Lik photography gallery. He takes photos all around the world and enhances them with the most vibrant color. If I could decorate my home with only one piece, I would probably choose one of his. Unfortunately, all I could afford was a couple postcards.
We decided not to pull the same stunt we did before departure, so we went to bed by 11 that night. Wednesday morning we were in a taxi by 9am and home by 3:30. When I walked into our little apartment it felt like a 5 star. I'm not kidding. But I can't complain, it was a memorable trip. All my roommates are gone on trips, so tonight Alec, Raych, and I are just blogging, loading photos, and watching TV. Oh, and doing millions of loads of laundry.
If you have made it this far, congratulations! I am now finished until after Dad comes and we have our little excursion to the Whitsundays. Unless we make some memories this weekend... until then- CHEERS!
