THE GREAT BARRIER REEF!!!!!

I don't even know how to start this post so I'm just going to dive into it. I woke up at 7:00 am and we all got picked up from Calypso backpackers at 8am. I took as much medicine as I could before I got on the boat to prevent any motion sickness. We drove about 15 minutes to the boat terminal. From there we all got into our boat and went out to sea 45 minutes away to Fitzroy Island. Once we got off I found an ocean trampoline so a few of us New Yorkers went on that instantly. After jumping around for about 12 minutes we were told by the resort owners that the trampoline was private and we needed to pay to get on it. Oh well I had my quick share of fun time. The island was so nice. It consisted of only one resort and one restaurant/bar. After spending an hour and half on Fitzroy Island it was time to get back on the boat to the outer reef. The travel from Fitzroy Island to the reef was about 45 minutes as well. When we got to the outer reef I could not stop looking at how blue the water was. My snorkel gear was all ready and it was time to dive down under.
The fish came so close to me and since it was a nice sunny day their colors were so vibrant. I went out a little deeper and even saw a mini shark! Yep I freaked out and swam the other way. Nothing probably would have happened but I needed to get back closer to the boat! I didn't rent a camera to take pictures but I will be sure to steal some of their pictures. It would have been awesome to get some snaps of the shark. We snorkeled for about 3 hours and then it was time to get back on the boat to head back to Cairns. By the time I got back and showered I was so wiped out and fell asleep at 9pm. I have snorkeled in many different places but I must say that snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef was like no other. The blue was crystal like and with the sun glaring, the fish were so colorful.

Cairns!

On our first full day in Cairns (cans) we got picked up from Calypso Backpackers at 9:00 am. We took the greyhound bus to Kuranda and walked around the town. There were a ton of shops that sold souvenirs for reasonable prices. I was hungry in the morning and got another meat pie for breakfast. It was delicious as usual. After 2 hours of walking around we took gondolas up the Great Dividing Range. At the first stop we  got off and went to see a rain forests at Barron Falls. There was a sweet waterfall that dropped down 260 meters. We hopped back on the gondolas up to the top of the Great Dividing Range and back down to Cairns. Once we got off we went to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.

At Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park we walked to the souvenir store and looked at Aboriginal paintings and art. THere were boomerangs, didgeridoos, spears and much more. We than went to the stage and saw Aboriginal dance. They showed us how Aboriginals started a fire by scratch which I found to be fascinating. After we watched a play explaining the history of the Aboriginal culture. THe people that were acting out the play were playing the didgeridoos. I was exhausted by just watching them play the instrument because they had to use so much air but they made it look so easy. The best part was saved for last. The aboriginals took us to a yard where we all had the opportunity to throw boomerangs and spears. The boomerang so cool because I kind of got it to come back to me. It was only about 10 feet away which wasn't bad at all compared to other people. When I threw the spear it didn't go anywhere at all. It was extremely hard to throw but I'm sure with practice it would become much easier. Most kids ended up buying authentic boomerangs that were hand-made but I figured i didn't need it because there isn't much land for me to play around with it at home. It was neat that the kids got authentic souvenirs because they know it is real. We got back to the backpackers at 5 pm and have a long day tomorrow.

Tomorrow we are going to Fitzroy Island and than out to the Great Barrier Reef. I am praying that I don't get seasick because I really want to enjoy the incredible reef. I didn't rent an underwater camera because I can't predict how I will feel but I'm sure I can steal photos from some of my friends.

Magnetic Island Part Dos

The weather was rainy again so we cancelled our reservations and didn't book the motor scooters around the island for precautionary reasons. It was probably for the best because it was another way to save money. We went out on a sailboat and went to the foreign part of the island where there was no one around. OF COURSE I got sea sick again. Most people went snorkeling but not everyone (Some people don't know how to swim and didn't feel comfortable). I wish I could have gone snorkeling but I took the dingo boat to the beach so walk around so I felt less dizzy. Word on the street is that when we take the boat out on Saturday to the Great Barrier Reef the water is going to be even more rough. Great I'm sure ill have a memorable experience throwing up all over the Reef. Hopefully not though.

After the boat trip, my friends Anthony, Amanda, and Amy went out back to the backpackers to change our clothes so we could go on a hike to see a fort. We ended up missing the bus by 4 minutes and the next bus didn't come for another hour and half. The time was 2:00 so by the time we got to the trail it would have been close to 5pm. No way we could have completed the trail before the sun went down. Soooooo what did we do? HITCHHIKED!! Yep you heard right! Four college students on the side of the road where their thumbs out. We figured if there was a place to do it, this island would be the safest. A couple from Melbourne was visiting their vacation home and gladly took us to where we needed to go. We made the hike and saw some incredible scenic views as well as the forts. On the trail back Amanda spotted a koala in the tree. We took a few more pictures of him because koalas are so fascinating to everyone. I climbed a small branch on the tree next to the koala. He was sleeping but he picked up his head and opened his eyes and I got really nervous that he was going to attack me so I immediately jumped off.

Perfect timing because once we finished the trail it was pitch black. When we caught the bus we got pizza at the Arcadia. It was surprisingly really good and we asked the owners if we could take a picture with them. They let us back in the kitchen to take a picture in front of the brick oven. THey turned the flame on the oven up for decoration and put the Italian flag up behind us to make the picture nicer. They were so nice to do that for us.

The following day we took the Ferry off of Magnetic Island and back to Townesville. We met up with our greyhound bus and drove all the way up to Cairns. The backpackers here is much cleaner so I feel better. We stay in Cairns for 5 days than head out west to the outback. Tomorrow we are going to a sky rail and an aboriginal center so I am anxious to learn about the Aboriginal culture (Won't hurt especially if I need to teach it in history class).

*I'll try and get pictures on my phone so that I can upload them to the blog.

Magnetic Island

We finally arrived to magnetic island! First thing was checking into oit backpackers. Holy crap it is summer camp all over again. This place is nasty. Everyone had dead bugs on their beds. A different room had an ant infestation and the owners just gave them raid to spray the room which is just absurd. The room is musty and humid so the sleep is uncomfortable. Best part is the sign that says when we leave to just bring out dirty pillow cases to be cleaned. Uh yikes so these sheets are dirty i guess....Of course the weather isn't cooperating and it has been raining. The original
Plan was to rent motor scooters to drive around the island but It was a better idea to avoid the rain by taking the bus. This island's population is 500 so there really isn't much to do around here. I made it from
One side of the island to the other in about 20 minutes. We went to a place that was similar to the zoo and went on a two hour tour. It was awesome because we were able to hold a crocodile, feed a bird a seed mouth to mouth, hold turtles, lizards, a snake, and pet a koala! It was extremely cool being in a small group tour with hands on activities all day long. I must say that the bird part was my favorite part because I have held some of these animals before but never fed a bird before.
After we went to a park where we were able to purchase food and feed wild wallabies! They were surprisingly friendly and gentle. Their claws are so sharp. One latched onto my hand and pierced my pinky a little.

Here we go!

Today was the first day of our tremendous journey. Our day started off with a complimentary hot chocolate and muffin from the mates of our director Colin. After we drove about three hours North to Chillders to stop for lunch. After a quick stop it was. A k on the bus for another hour and a half when we reached a pub for afternoon tea (very common in Australia to take a break...even in schools they have morning and afternoon tea). Finally
It was one more time on the bus for another two hours when we reached our first destination of emu park. We are officially in saltwater crocodile country. On the bus we watched a gruesome video on saltwater crocodile safety.
At emu park we are staying overnight in backpackers which are cheap places for tourists to stay. Not the greatest places but at the same time not the worst. Upon arrival we went to the tiny bar at the backpackers where Colin bought everyone a shout (round) of drinks to celebrate one of the guys getting engaged two days ago. My roommates girlfriend had arrived and he proposed to her later that day she came. What a welcome to Australia for both of them!
After we went to a restaurant for dinner where once again we had a complimentary dinner. Of course I tool full advantage of this and stuffed my face. I forgot to take pictures of the food so I apologize for that. Tomorrow will be another long day on the road. We are waking up at 530ish and leaving here at 620 for another 12 hr day. We are catching the 6pm boat to magnetic island so that should be great! This weather needs to get better though because it's been raining a little too much for my liking.

Outback!

With the two week orientation now completed we can finally enjoy Australia a little more. No more waking up at 6:30 for class and getting back at 4:30 pm when the sun is pretty much setting. At least not until I get started with my student teaching. On Sunday we will be starting a 2 week excursion up the East Coast all the way to the Outback. Out first destination is Emu Park. We will be leaving at 6:30 in the morning and won't be arriving until about 7pm. It is going to be a long day on the bus for sure. For those that would like to see the route we will be taking look at a map! We will be leaving Mooloolaba and heading up north to Emu Park. From there we will be going to Magnetic Island. Even more North we go to Townsville and than Cairns. After Cairns we head out West to Chillagoe  and Winton then back to Mooloolaba. Those are just the main destinations but we will be stopping at many other places in between as well. I will be sure to take a ton of pictures but no guarantees that I can upload pictures. It takes a lot of megabytes to upload so I try to upload the main pictures.


Oh yeah I forgot I went to visit Chevallum State School which is a strawberry school. It was awesomeThey have a garden where the students grow crops then cook and eat with them, then compost the scraps for the garden. The food they made looked better than anything I could make. And they were like 10 years old.


For dessert yesterday I went to the Gelato place nearby. There are so many here on every corner. I got my two favorite flavors vanilla and mint chocolate chip. It was so good but I can't get it too much because it is way too addicting.