I'm home

UPDATE: I have loaded pictures to all the posts. I'm putting more up on facebook if anyone wants to see more.

When I landed in Orlando around 8ish, I could not have been happier. And guess who I got to see...

The cutest dogs in the world, Russel + Bauer

My sister, her fiancee Matt, Scott, Russel, + Bauer picked me up + greeted me with a whole wheat bagel with egg + cheese. We drove over to Scott's parents house, where I had left my car and I immediately took a hot shower without flip flops + changed into clean clothes. Scott's mom made us a smorgasbord with chicken, filet, broccoli, salad, + potatoes and I enjoyed my first real meal in a while.

We hung out for awhile + then my sister drove me home in my car. We got back at 2, I fell asleep at 4am + then I didn't wake up until 6 pm when my sister got home from work. I fell back asleep at 11 pm + woke up at 6 am on Tuesday. I have been taking naps everyday + am almost back on schedule. I am SO glad to resume healthy eating, exercise, + guaranteed daily showers.

I've already had some discussions with my friend Barrie + we are thinking we will do Eastern Europe + South America next summer. Until then... (well actually I might blog through med school, we shall see!)

Its the flight that never ends

It goes on + on my friend. So, after getting through customs, getting my bag, + eating it was almost time to board my plane. I was happily in my plane seat, when they announced that while loading the luggage, the slide on the emergency exit got knocked off + they need to repair it. So we de-planed + were scheduled to leave at 430pm instead of 225pm. It was already 3, so I used my free meal to get starbucks. Of course the machine that printed out the vouchers ran out of paper, so everyone waited in a really long line. Luckily this process took an hour, which landed me at 4 + it was time to board. Upon sitting in my seat, I immediately fell asleep. When I woke up a little later + looked at my watch I was surprised it was 5 and we weren't moving. Apparently they forget to tell the "people" that we were leaving at 430, so we had to wait until about 545. We finally left + I went back to sleep. I was awoken by screams + freaked out as the plane swayed + went through turbulence. Turns out about 15 children got scared. Went back to sleep + slept the rest of the flight. Landed around 8, but oops someone was parked in our spot. Let's just hope my backpack gets to Orlando, because that would just be the icing on the cake.

But let me be positive: At least it wasn't one of my earlier flights because they could have messed up my schedule seriously. For example flight from Australia to kl was in no way connected to the rest + I would have had a really expensive problem if I missed my kl flight. Also, I slept pretty much the entirety of the last flight, since getting on the plane the 2nd time to landing. Meaning 3 + 1/2 hours. And also, while waiting to get off this plane, I've had enough time to write this blog.

Can't be happier to FINALLY be in Florida after 51 hours. Remind me to plan more efficiently next time.

Around the world

I've officially flown around the world + I'm really sick of this view...


The rest of my KL layover consisted of powerwalking through a plethora of designer stores (Chanel, Hermes, Gucci). The plane ride itself consisted of 5 hours of reading. When I finished my book, I realized I was the only one with the light on. So I decided to just watch the movie on the big tv. It turned out to be the end of "17 Again", + then nothing else turned on after. Since I felt bad leaving the light on in the middle of the night, + I was beyond tired, I enlisted my only source of entertainment, a watermelon lollypop. I tried to keep my straining eyes open + then amazingly after 20 minutes, the plane lights turned on + breakfast was served. The rest of the flight consisted of eating a yucky omelette on a croissant + talking to the Korean man next to me. He works for the embassy in Afghanastan. Interesting. Unfortunately, I find it kind of hard to understand other peoples accents, he was talking so softly, + I am partially deaf. So there was a lot of me nodding + pretending I understood him.

Our plane was on time + it took about 10 minutes to get through transit. I was so tired, until magically a line of macbooks were awaiting me. Free internet at Seoul airport, definitely reccomend that place! With a coffee, I spent the next 2 and a half hours reading blogs + facebook + then made my way to the plane. I usually try to wait to fall asleep until after I can recline, but that wasn't happening. The first 3 hours were in + out of sleep. I had this weird korean meal. It was steamed rice with a plate of 5 weird things (spinach, chicken?, octopus, fishy stuff, + who knows else). There were 3 tiny pieces of veggies + some curry paste (?). So I combined what I liked + actually enjoyed the uniqueness of the experience. Dessert were "rice cakes", these doughy balls with weird paste inside...I passed. I occupied my time with "Confessions of a Shopaholic", "House", "Tale of Desperado" + another nap. We also got these pizza sticks that were actually good for airplane food. Next up was the new renee zellweger movie where she goes to montana, followed by "wedding daze". Considering I watch maybe one movie a month during my normal life, 4 in 14 hours isn't too shabby. Last thing about the plane. I was sitting next to a korean girl, about 12, who was so cute. We didn't really talk but she slept for a lot of the flight + would accidently put her head on my shoulder...pretty cute. We also got a dinner which was some shrimp + veggie rice thing with salad. So excited to eat real food!

Suprisingly this flight went by faster than the 7 hour one. The combo of sleeping + tvs make everything better. Currently on my 43rd hour of traveling home, 5 more to go!!!

KL airport

A 9 hour lay-over doesn't have to be miserable. Here's what I did to keep myself entertained for the first 7...

Flight landed a little late around 330 pm. Went through customs. On a bus to the other KL airport by 420 pm. At the other airport around 440 pm. Bought some pringles. Ate Malaysian food. Didn't like it so just ate the spinach + some steamed rice, avoiding the really spice peppers (trust me on that) + weird things on my plate. Decided to eat the pringles. I remember being amazed when I was little because the slogan for pringles was "once you pop, you just can't stop" + I thought it was so true. Re-enacted my childhood. Felt disgusting.

Decided to exercise. Got some very good exercise after walking with my 35+ lb backpack + 10 pound purse for a while. Took a break. Walked for another 15 minutes. Changed from my jeans to a flowy skirt. Discovered my toothpaste had leaked everywhere. Occupied myself for 20 minutes cleaning my toiletry bag. Read some of my favorite blogs from 6:30-8:30. I was SO glad I hadn't been keeping up with all my blogs while I was away, because this really entertained me. Around 830 I took another walk. Bought a bottle of water after my 30 minute walk. Finally could check in at 9. Checked my bag...yay it is going all the way to jfk! Went through customs. Met a nice Indian man who wanted to talk medicine. Stopped for a coffee + smoked salmon and egg foccacia sandwich. And here I am at 945pm. 2 hours until lift off. It is technically 1145pm Australian + I'm hoping this coffee will keep me up until I arrive in Korea early in the morning where I will have a short layover (3 hrs!!) + a hopefully a 14 hour bedtime on the flight to jfk. Luckily I napped a good 4 hours during today's flight so I still have energy. Also, please pray for me for personal tvs on the next 2 flights. Delta + international means there have to be, right?

Flying

Just got off my 8 hour trip from Coolangatta to kl. Luckily I found out in Coolangatta that there are actually 2 international airports in KL. And of course my next one is at the other airport. Luckily I have about 7 + 1/2 hours til the next one. At least this gives me something to do for a little bit :)

I tried to stay up as late as possible last night. Managed to stay up until 11pm. Woke up at 630 am + threw my stuff together. I enjoyed an egg mcmuffin for breakfast. Thank goodness, because I couldn't muster the courage to waste half the cash I have left on unpalatable malaysian plane food. I had gotten Vita whole wheat crackers last night, just in case. I ate about a third of the box for "lunch". Its 3pm KL time + 5pm australian time. I'm hungry! Hoping the new airport looks legit enough to use my credit card at. This is definitely my longest layover, so Ill be fine getting home with about $15...it would just be nice if I could take cash out with my debit card. Have I mentioned I hate Bank of America.

By the time I get to JFK in about 30 hours, that 3 hour flight is going to seem like a 5 minute bus ride. I already determined getting home is going to be 30 hours of flying. Not including the approximately 20 hours of waiting. Oh the joys of changing travel plans last minute.

So I got on my flight painlessly. I love Air Asia, they always let me carry on my bag despite it being obviously oversized. One less thing to worry about. I forgot that I had bought a tiny thing of jam from the exotic fruit farm. Well, going through security they stopped me for that. It took my about 10 minutes to find it in my meticulously packed (aka crammed, bursting, lopsided backpack) + it turned out to be 10 ml too big. The guy was really nice though + let me keep it! Much better than my last experience at that airport (jetstar/$80 bag).

Well I got my seat + immediately fell asleep. I woke up an hour + half later. Read for a couple hours, fell back asleep for another couple hours, read, fell asleep. I'm at page 400 of my 600 page book I started a couple days ago. Luckily I have 2 more. So the flight went by easily. Next one to Seoul, south korea is about 6 or 7 hrs. Then the killer...13 hrs 50 min from seoul to jfk. And 3 hour from jfk to orlando. And of course a 2 hour 45 min drive home (all your fault scott!) Its never gonna end. Looking foward to being home!

Last day :(

Currently enjoying a dinner at a delicious restaurant with the company of my glass of wine. I've already gotten a free appetizer...maybe they think I'm a food critic.

I woke up at the very early time of 415am, checked out + got on the shuttle to the airport. The plane was delayed a little, but I managed by eating a croissant + talking to a nice woman who used to own a farm outside of gold coast + is now retired with her husband. As soon as I got on the plane, the eye mask was on + I got some much needed solid sleep. Woke up 2 hours later in Coolangatta. I took a couple buses + the train to Brisbane (total of 2 and a half hours) to find out I would need to take the train back that night because the earliest train wouldn't get me back to the airport in time. I brought my backpack to the hostel Laura + Linds had stayed in + loved + they let me store it there for the day. I set out to explore the city as best as I could. I took a long walk along the river, which was absolutely wonderful. I haven't gotten much exercise in the past month + this felt great. I walked through the botanical gardens along the water + read my book for a bit. The river was so pretty + there was a nice chill in the air. I wanted to walk around south bank market thing along the water that linds had loved, but it appeared to be more of a night thing. I did walk around for a bit + got some great exercise...so it ended up successful. Unfortunately, I was just too stressed about having to get a train back to really let my guard down, so around 3ish I decided to head back to Coolangatta to stay the night near the airport. I'm not very good at exploring a city alone. But Brisbane was really lovely.

Brisbane

Walking through the botanical gardens along the water

I ended up getting to my hostel around 630. The receptionist was very nice + checked me into an 8 person dorm that had no one else in it. This was the same hostel we had stayed in before. The only problems with it were the lack of shower (I hate when it isn't partitioned from the rest of the bathroom) + the blaring noise all night. Luckily I was in the market for not being able to sleep, to get back to US time + sleep all day tommorow instead of tonight. And my room happened to be on a different side of the hall + guess what (this is mainly for laura + linds), there is an entire female bathroom with nice showers. To think we missed out on showering...

After dropping my stuff, I headed to the oceanside road + carefully selected a restaurant to spoil myself at. I had a long, long day + the next 2 will be the same...so this was justified. I enjoyed a delicious veggie penne with pumpkin, sundried tomatoes, peppers, pesto, eggplant, zucchini. It was my kind of dish; greater veggie to pasta ratio. My dinner, along with a glass of wine and followed by bread pudding with ice cream and vanilla sauce, and all the while with my trusted blackberry for entertainment, had successfully led to the perfect last meal.

Don't worry, I'lll still be eating in airports + on planes.

Last night

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant. I had ravioli with risotto + pumpkin, tomatoes + spinach. It was delicious. We got some wine + went back to our room. We happen to have the weirdest roommate ever. He is so dorky. He is a professor at hervey mudd + is writing a book on computer chips. Obviously in our league.

Delicious!
See our dorky professor roommate in the background?

We saw him in the kitchen as we were walking into our room, and then he came to talk to us. So sad because he was like "I don't meet very many people". He is traveling all summer in Australia to write his book. But we talked to him for a good hour as we drank our wine. He was SO awkward, but I was glad we talked to him.. At about 10, we headed to the bar downstairs to enjoy ladies night+ our "last night" (x 2). Aka free champagne for an hour. My gastric reflux is out of control...time to go home.

Our actual last night!

Woops

So apparently my flight is tomorrow morning not this morning. One more day in Australia with Laura + Lindsay!!!

Yesterday we didn't do much but eat. We headed to the lagoon in the morning. I got eggs + toast for breakfast. I had really been missing them. After some laying out, we enjoyed a champagne toast at a trendy bar/restaurant at the pier. We got to lay on these big couch thingies + relaxed with some delicious dips + bread. We did some shopping (I got some didgeridoos) + then headed back to our hostel to shower + get ready for our last night out.

Bye, bye me! Psych.

We ate my final dinner at a thai place + I had the spiciest curry ever. Lindsay shared her pad thai with me + helped me eat it ... what a pal :)

The best part of our thai dinner ... the fruity drinks

Since my shuttle was picking me up at 430 am, we decided to just stay out until then. Well, I got a little tired + decided to get some rest. When I woke up at 630 am, I freaked out. Threw my bag together + ran downstairs. This really nice french guy at reception helped me look up flights + got me a taxi to get to the airport. Upon arrival at the check-in counter, I learned that my flight was actually tomorrow morning at 620. Thank goodness! I ended up being so lucky. Not sure how I messed that one up. So tonight we are going to set several alarms. I might not even go to sleep!

The nice french guy insisted upon taking my picture while I was waiting (I didn't even ask!)

So I got back to the hostel + Laura + Lindsay were so suprised! We checked out + headed down to the lagoon. I had an egg mcmuffin + hash brown for breakfast. Figure I might as well end this trip with a bang :) I napped at the lagoon, we shopped around, had some chips + queso + then went to check in at our new hostel, Gilligans. It is much closer + way better. Can't believe we didn't move sooner. It is clean + has air conditioning + a separate shower + toilet room. We only have 1 roommate who we have barely seen.

It literally took an hour to check in. They were SO slow. So then we go upstairs, but turns out that our keys didn't work. So we gave up + went back to our first hostel to get our backpacks. We went back to the new hostel + put our bags down. Then we booked a shuttle for me, I called jetstar to add a bag to my flight (ridiculous...make sure you pay to check a bag when you book a flight with them). We went to a supermarket + Lindsay and I split bread, cheese, + hummus.

Then we went back to our room + showered and finally took a nap. What a long day!!! It was 4 pm. We woke up around 630pm + headed out for my "last" dinner. Hope it really is my last one.

On the road again

We had an eventful Tuesday morning, as we spotted a humongous lizard the length of a medium sized dog. It was crazy. While we were on the beach I saw another one! I finished my book (Into the Wild) + started a new one (A Fine Balance) + then we headed up to the restaurant for our final lunch. I got a chicken + sweet corn soup that reminded me of chicken noodle soup, one of my least favorite soups....luckily we have a stock-pile of snacks.

Our cabin

Huge lizard

We headed up to reception to be picked up by our shuttle bus. Our first stop after about 30 minutes was Victoria Lookout to see a gorgeous view of the area. Then I licked a green ant's butt. Our tourguide told us to because there is ascorbic acid on it so it tastes tangy (think vitamin c, citrus). We also saw a spider web with a gazillion tiny, tiny spiders.

30 minutes later we arrived at Mossman's Gorge, a beautiful river with lots of rocks + trails through the rainforest. We hung out around the swimming hole + I avoided entering the freezing water.

Mossman's Gorge

Another 30 minute drive brought us to Port Douglas, a cute town with lots of shops + cafes. We got some ice cream + explored. On our ride back, we stopped at Rex's Lookout for some great views + made it back to our hostel in Cairns by 615.

Lindsay looking for Gossip Girls books in Port Douglas

Rex's Lookout

We quickly got ready + went to our "Ultimate Party" thing that had been booked with all our stuff. They had this party bus thing (like a school bus) with an open roof + really crazy music + they bring you to a bunch of different bars. They had dinner first...an array of potatoe salad, noodles, salad, onions + sasauge. It was pretty good. At the bar we met a kid from Jupiter (where I grew up). He was 18 + it made me feel old because I swear I was just 16. Most of the people were really young + it was pretty entertaining. There were a lot of raunchy party games that I definitely did not take part in. It's hard being so mature. And best part was at the 3rd bar, they had free pizza.

At the Ultimate Party

We had lots of fun. Met up with some boys Laura + Linds had met in Noosa + then went on home. At 6 am, a girl from Tawain checked into our room. She preceded to snore louder than anyone I have ever heard. It was this nasal-y loud sucking thing that woke me up. Ill try + get a recording of it tonight.

This morning, after breakfast, we headed over to the lagoon. We are enjoying a relaxing day full of laying, eating, + our last night on the town. I have a 620 am flight to Coolangatta, which means I'll probably not be sleeping much.

Camp Tribulation

After our 8 am pickup at our hostel, we piled into a very full shuttle bus. I sat next to a nice boy from Italy, who was from La Spezia, a place I had been through. He was very interesting to talk to, as he had lived in Sydney for 8 months + was traveling the east coast for 2 months. Our driver was very entertaining + informative. An hour or so later, we arrived at a cute little restaurant in the middle of nowhere + I enjoyed a roll with egg + bacon (what has come into me.) We got back on the bus.

I continued to occupy my time talking to the interesting boy next to me. We arrived at at the river (to cross over to Cape Tribulation) + took a 30 minute boat ride to explore the crocodiles. We weren't as impressed as the other people, as the river was full of crocs, mangroves, + herons + it seemed just like the everglades, but with mountains in the background.

On the river cruise

We took the boat to the other side of the river (2 minute ride between the sides) + were on our way. We soon got to our hostel/resort, called Cape Trib Beach House. We shared a 5 bed dorm with 2 other girls, nothing special to write home about.

Our quaint bunks remind me of camp. We have to go to a shower/bathroom house a little bit away, but the showers are very decent. After checking in + dropping our stuff, we walked down the path to the restaurant. It's so beautiful here. We are literally in a rain forest on the Pacific Ocean.

We got some sandwiches + then went down to the beach to enjoy some sun (shade) + reading. We read for a little + then I woke up to find Laura + Lindsay gone, but their towels still near me.

How I spent most of my time in Cape Tribulation

The beach was covered with these sand balls made by crabs

I laid around for a bit + then saw in the far distance 2 people walking down the beach. I soon saw a dog + realized I misjudged them being my friends. However, as they got nearer + nearer...I could make out the exact outfits they had been wearing earlier. Low + behold, they had adopted a sweet doggy named "Pony". Well that wasn't really her name. She was so pretty + big, and luckily had a collar.

Couldn't be...

Oh it is

I walked on with them in the other direction. Pony was up ahead but stayed dutifully close by. After a while though, he was very far in front. At one point laura + I were a good distance away from Pony when she went running towards a little doggy. The little doggy freaked out + tried to run away while the dumb owners didn't even pick the little dog up. So Pony freaked out + the little dog ran down the beach. We pretended we didn't know Pony after that.

We continued our walk for a good hour longer + headed towards the other hostel we had passed earlier on our way to our own. There had been a store next door, so we headed there to get more pb+j. Ours had been stolen at the last hostel...the nerve!

After getting to the store, we realized we had a long walk home. We walked along the road instead of the beach + luckily it took about 2/3 the time (about 45 minutes). We came upon a sign "The beach house. Please Keep Out" after 30 minutes. Our feet (unprepared to walk this long in flimsy sandals) were ready to be done, so we went down the road. After about 8 minutes, we came upon some old trucks + open houses on stilts. We were a little confused, as we thought we were on our way to our hostel + this didn't appear to continue on past. As we pondered where we were, several big dogs ran out of the house barking like crazy+ chasing us. Lindsay sprinted + Laura + I followed suit. Luckily Laura decided we shouldn't run + so we (not Lindsay who was scared shitless running way ahead) stopped + walked calmly back. The dogs stopped running after us + when they were no longer in view, we ran up to the main road.

About 10 minutes up the road was the sign "Cape Trib Beach House". Ya, how about they change that first sign to "Beware killer dog/creepy house" + not "Beach House".

Beach House: Please Keep Out

Cape Trib Beach House

We got back to our cabin, soooo happy to be done walking + alive, + took much needed showers. Then we headed down to the restaurant for dinner. I got kangaroo with a cajun potatoe that was absolutely delicious. Well the sauces + potatoe were wonderful. The kangaroo reminded me of good steak, but I'm not much of a meat-eater so it wasn't the highlight of my meal. It really just reminded me of steak + the restaurant is really good so of course they made it yummy.

Kangaroo

After dinner, we went back to our rooms + feel asleep by 10. We woke up around 10am (back to my normal 12 hour routine!) + had some peanut butter + banana on toast. Then we went down to the beach to read + tan. I made it about 20 minutes in the sun, with spf 50, before heading to the shaded spot. We read for a bit + then headed up to the reception desk for our exotic fruit tasting. We got picked up + took a short ride to the fruit farm up the road.

We had a really great time at the fruit tasting. We tried 10 fruits... The western lime (to cleanse our palate), pommelo, abiu, sapodilla, rambai, longar, yellow sapote, attemoya, rollinia, + soursop/guanabana. My favoritres were the abiu, which tasted like creme de carmel, the rambai (in a grape-like thing, 3 pieces of tangy fruit stuck to seeds), attemoya (custard apple), + rollinia (lemon custard). My favorite was the rollinia. It literally tasted exactley as described. The owner of the farm told me he thinks they can grow in Florida, so mom + dad....get going. Most of the fruits aren't commercially sold for a number of reasons...they look ugly, have bad shelf-life, can't be transported far. After our tasting, we took a tour of the orchard + saw lots of trees, including their main crop the mangasteens.

My favorite, the rollinia

They took us back to our hostel + we did some laundry, went on the computers, + played some boggle while we waited for our clothes to be clean. Once the laundry was done, we could finally take showers with our clean towels. Ah. Afterwards we went to the restaurant for dinner. I got lamb, which was really yummy. The sauce wasn't my favorite but the lamb itself was delicious.

Our evening activity

As routine goes, we got in bed by 9pm. All went well until we awoke to a scream at midnight. Lindsay was across the room from her bed freaking out. Apparently she had woken up because she had to pee +then heard a noise nearby. She tried to ignore it, but finally looked over + saw a rat on her bag. Hence the scream. We turned on the light + saw a cute little mouse eating its way through lindsay's purse. Apparently she had left a bannana in her bag + hence the mouse. As I had the top bunk, I had the honors of sharing my twin bed with Lindsay for the rest of the night.

We woke up at 9am, once again very well rested + checked out of our hostel. We are currently on the beach until our shuttle picks us up at 130pm.

Its pretty weird because I only have 2 more nights with Laura + Lindsay + then one more by myself until I go home. I really feel like I could do this for another couple of months, but I'm actually really ready to spread out in a queen size bed + shower without flip-flops on. It also helps that I get to look foward to relaxing for a couple days before moving into my new apartment in Gainesville + starting med school in less than 3 weeks. And I get to see my family, friends, + adorable cavalier king charles spaniels.

Diving the Great Barrier Reef

On our way to Cape Trib (the rain forest)...

Yesterday was wonderful. I wasn't expecting to enjoy diving as much as I did, but I literally felt like I was just floating around like a mermaid.

At the pier

The ride out

The ride out to the reefs was pretty calm + Lindsay and Laura both didn't end up sea sick, which was a great start to the day. We had a nice morning tea with muffins while enjoying the blue seas. We arrived at our first dive site a couple hours later. It was a tiny island where if we crossed the ropes that partitioned a 1/8 of the island, we would be fine $7500. Ouch, avoided those areas. Laura went to dive with the 2 other certified divers, while Linds + I had to wait for the 3rd uncertified dive, so we took a quick boat over to the island to snorkel back. There were all these birds with babies + eggs hanging out right outside the rope on the beach. We thought it was the neatest thing. The little fluffy babies trying to fly + the birds adjusting themselves to protect their unhatched eggs.

Lindsay + I

Laura + I

We snorkeled back to the boat as we only had 15 minutes til our dive. The reefs were so beautiful. We got back onto the boat + froze in our wetsuits (that weren't long!!!) while we waited for our dive. They hooked us up to the tank + we jumped into the water. We hung onto a rope while they put us under water + onto a second rope. Then they made sure everyone was ok. It was really nice because they gave everyone on the boat a 10 minute trial dive if they wanted (only a third of the boat even dove though). So then the people who didn't want to dive left + we went under to explore. 4 of us were with a divemaster. Its really nice to have someone pointing to all the corals that do cool things + finding the neat fish + what we can touch. We saw a stingray hiding in the sand. I was a little offended though, because our divemaster was kicking his way through the reefs + was kicking off all this coral. I thought you weren't supposed to damage it! You aren't.

What seemed like 5 minutes later, but was actually about 40 minutes came soon + we got back on the boat to have lunch + go to the second dive spot. The lunch was a large buffet of chickpea salad, potatoe salad, coleslaw, noodle salad, bread, lunchmeat, honey mustard chicken, ratatouille, and delicious fruit. It was pretty good as I was literally starving. We went about 10 minutes on the boat to get to our second destination. This was just open water. Lindsay decided not to do the second dive, as she hadn't really liked having to follow the divemaster + have annoying other inexperienced divers kicking her in her head. Since it actually wasn't already paid for, she decided to use the money to buy an underwater camera. Excited to see the pics she took snorkeling. She said her skin diving class at UF finally paid off, as she could use her snorkel diving skills.

Lindsay napping

I refused to get in the water to snorkel for 10 minutes before I would dive, as I knew I'd be freezing waiting on the boat. So I read a little + then finally put back on my wet wetsuit. We jumped in again + it was actually much warmer waters this time. This dive was a little deeper. Laura went to 16.7 meters (she had a computer watch they gave the certified divers that told her), but I probably didn't get that deep as they baby us uncertified divers. The corals didn't seem as bright to me, but there were shelves + shelves of corals that were so tall. It is so neat to think that all these corals + reefs last for miles upon miles all along the coast. I was amazed because all the sudden we were getting out + I was like "what's wrong", but actually we were done. Diving feels like running to me. You totally get lost in the moment + each minute seems like a second!

I got back on the boat + found Lindsay. We warmed up with mushroom soup, found Laura, + headed back to Cairns. I read most of the way home (a really trashy chick novel) + enjoyed the gorgeous views. Thanks to Laura, we spotted a sea turtle (she had seen one diving, too) + a dolphin.

Our boat

We got back + headed home for warm showers. We went out for dinner + got a really yummy pizza. Unfortunately the large was more like a personal pan pizza + that meant we needed a second dinner. We went to the seafood place we had been to the other afternoon + I got a really great seafood salad sandwich I'd been eyeing the time before. We went back to our rooms exhausted. Even though we had gotten all ready to go out, we ended up going to sleep instead. I finished my trashy novel + fell asleep to wake up at 7 am for our trek (aka bus) to the rainforest.

Cairns

On our way to dive the Great Barrier Reef on a dive boat...we have 2 + 1/2 hours till we get there...

Yesterday morning we woke up at 630 am + took a cab to the airport. I was going to carry on my bag, but my bag has grown over the past month. So of course, they charged me $80 to check it...the beauty of unexpected travel expenses. I of course started to cry, because I I had to pay $160 extra for my roundtrip (that was already a really expensive flight) + I thought it was very unnecessary as it is $10 when you book your flight. I think it might just be 80 for roundtrip, but we shall see. So I tried to just store my bag but they charge by the hour + it would be ridiculous. The women (flight attendants) there were really nice + tried to make me not be sad. And then I went to pay + the lady at the counter was SO mean to me.

Anyways, so I cried through security for the next 15 minutes (because that's the mature way to deal with mean people + things that upset me), and one lady checking my liquids was really nice + told me not to cry. Then she told me she cries everyday + I was like "what? Why?". She said there was something in her life she couldn't change + it made her sad. And then I started to cry more, because that is SO sad. So we made it to our flight + I stopped crying.

Then Laura + Lindsay mention the woman didn't even put my seat with theirs, though they offered to switch with me. Whatever all I do is sleep on planes anyways.

So I read a magazine + slept for an hour + then we were in Cairns. We called our hostel + they sent a shuttle, which took at least an hour even though the place was 10 minutes away. We got there at 12:40 pm + the lady at the counter (who had already messed up our shuttle) immediately tells us "check in is NOT till 1". I was kind of sick of mean people. So we store our luggage + grab lunch at a fish place nearby (mackerel + greek salad).

We check into our hostel + it was pretty gross, but I've had worse. We have our own 4 bed room in a dorm, so at least we could lock our stuff in. Then we walked over to the lagoon (aka a very large + pretty pool off the beach). The beach is kind of gross + full of scary animals so no one goes there. But all along the grass, there were tons of young people laying out. We found a great spot with shade for me + sun for them + laid out for a while, reading + relaxing.

The gross mucky beach with crocodiles

Linds + I went to check out the pier + then we got Laura + checked out the rest of the town. On our way home, we found these really big trees covered in thousands of enormous bats. They were SO big. They loooked like rats/foxes + were so hairy.

BATS!

We got some ice cream + gelato + walked home. We showered + then used our free meal coupon at the hostel. Free meal turned out to me vegetable soup. It was funny because they barely filled this very large bowl. But I still enjoyed our appetizer. Then we went to the other place we had a free meal at (Laura + Linds had booked these packages for our 6 days up north that included all this random stuff) RhinoBar. We got red curry with veggies or chicken over steamed rice, which was so jelly-like. I wasn't a fan, but Linds + Laura were so I had to suck it up. You can pay $5 more to upgrade it, so I probably will do that if they force me to return!

We walked to a night market + I got a couple things for my family. And then we got some coffee + PB+J stuff for breakfast/snacks + went home to fall asleep by 9:30pm.

We woke up at 6:40am again + took the hotel shuttle to the pier. Our dive boat is pretty nice. Laura + Linds had no memory of what they signed up for, so I was honestly a little scared. But it ends up we have 2 dives already paid for + the boat has a morning + afternoon snack + a pretty big lunch + we get home around 5. Pretty pumped about our day...

Gosh Darn Rosemary

After our wonderful day at the wildlife sanctuary, we went on home to see Lindsay. She enjoyed her day of rest.

We hung around for a little while + then went for a walk to get some dinner. Lindsay got subway while Laura, Tim (one of the boys staying with us), + I got Indian. Laura + I split chicken curry + chicken tandoori with naan + steamed rice. It was so good.

After dinner, we decided to go watch the rugby game at an Irish Bar. I was suprised how cool the sport it. Its like soccer combined with football (except lacking the protective outfit.) We obviously took too much time getting ready, so we only saw the last bit of the game. At a different bar we were at after, they were replaying the game + I actually watched a lot of it.

Australia has hair irons in the bathrooms :)

We went home pretty early, with a stop for falafel on the way. We woke up at 9am (earliest I've woken up in Australia yet) + took the bus to Coolangatta, where we have a flight tomorrow morning.

Leaving Surfer's Paradise

When we got off the bus, we saw a hostel so we went in + got a room. It is probably the nicest hostel room I've stayed in all trip (not including all the hotels I've stayed in). Its very new + clean + even has crown molding. Only thing is that its a communal bathroom that isn't so nice. No shower for us tonight!

We dropped off our bags + explored the little town. It is pretty cute with lots of secondhand stores. I got 3 new books at a bookstore, which I'm saving for the plane ride(ssssss) home. We also stopped at a really cute granoly-ish store with lots of dried fruits, nuts, + chocolates. We stocked up on dried apricots, banana chips, dehydrated apple slices, + of course chocolate covered blueberries, strawberries, + raisins. Yum.

Then we walked along the beach + made our way home a while later to nap. We woke up a couple hours later (around 6pm) + went out for dinner. We walked along the restaurants across from the beach + then ended up choosing a really great burger place called 'Grilled'. I got a cheeseburger with an egg + we all shared really good fries covered in rosemary, which we dipped in herb mayo. I was completely stuffed after. More so than I have been in the past month. Weird considering how much I've been eating.

We walked home + then enjoyed the internet at our hostel. I was so excited because it was only 830pm so I had lots of time to play around + because there were USB slots so I could upload some pictures. I tried this card converter thing of Scott's (you stick the sd card in + then plug it into the usb port) + it just wouldn't work. There was a slot for the sd card, so I put it in the computer + it wasn't working. Then I decided to just use my extension cord that connects to my camera. So I put the card back in + then my camera said "card error" + I freaked out. Luckily only my Australia pics were on this card, as I brought 3 different ones for each place in case of losing one or damaging one as I had just done.

So I am SO upset + run back to the room where Lindsay + Laura were. I guess when I'd put it into the computer alone, little pieces of the plastic on the little gold end had been broken. So Laura tore the remaining ones off + put it back in my camera (as I cried on my bed) + it worked!!!! Obviously it wouldn't be the end of the world, but all our wildlife sanctuary pictures were on that card as Laura's camera had died that day, + I really wanted them. And I am kind of obsessed with picture taking as most of my friends know. I'd estimate I've already taken about 6000-10,000 photos on my trip.

So anyways, I went + uploaded a couple pictures through the camera cord + then went and bought more time on the internet because I was having so much fun. I switched over to Lindsay's computer (and saved all my + Ozi + Thailand pics to it as well), + then added some more pics to my blog. It took a little while, though Lindsay has a tiny labtop that was new to me, but I got some up, so enjoy!

I'm about to go to bed (Linds was sound asleep by 9 + Laura 10 + now its 1130) + the music from the hostel bar is BLARING. Good thing I'm not a picky sleeper. Cheers!

Lindsay needs to do laundry...

Laura + I are leaving the wildlife sanctuary + had such a great time. Lindsay definitely missed out on the fun, so hopefully she slept off her sore throat. We got there around 130 + decided to get a quick bite to eat. We split the most delicious soup every (cream of celery but it had so many veggies + wasn't too heavy) + a burger with fries. We bought our tickets + they even gave me a student discount even though I don't have my student id with me. Ya btw bring ur id when you travel.

We immediately went to the take a picture with a koala. I bought a really cheesy photo, but I love it. They let Laura use my camera, too, so that made me so happy because now I can use it anywhere (like facebook). I had a girl + she was so soft + cute. Some have really coarse hair, but not mine! They even let Laura pet her, too. It was well worth it.

We then headed on to the kangaroos. We bought some food for them + got to walk around + pet all these loose kangaroos just chilling in their sanctuary. We took SO many pictures + had so much fun. We saw a baby stick his head in his mom's pouch for milk + then we also saw a baby joey wiggling around in his pouch (he hadn't been born yet!). We loved this part of the day so much.

Up next were the crocodiles. One was HUGE. Not a whole lot to say about them.

Then we went on to the "wild" koalas + got our fill of photos. We also saw dingos, tasmanian devils, wambats, + some other cool australian animals.

We went to an aboriginal dance. It was short but fun + one guy played the dijiridoo (sp). Laura wasn't very impressed with their dancing skills, as she has been dancing her entire life. I, however, was.

After the dance, we went to the reptile area + saw lots of really poisonous snakes. We also saw lots of lizards. Our favorite was the blue-tongued lizard. We took about 55 pictures before we got one with his tongue out. One of our highlights of the day!



Our last stop was the lorikeet feeding, which happens twice a day for an hor. We didn't know what to expect, but it turns out they give you (and a hundred other people standing around) a little bowl with a water/honey/mineral mix + the thousands of lorikeets fly down + drink it up + land all over you. At first there were so many people, so we couldn't get enough birds on us. And then the birds would get scared + fly away. All of them at once. After about 30 minutes though, most of the people had gone away, so the birds were all over us + not so scared. We got such awesome pictures. And then the birds pooed + peed all over us. Unfortunately for Lindsay, Laura + I were both wearing her jackets. Haha, don't tell her.

Sorry Lindsay!

Such an awesome day!