Platforms, Passions and Paddles

Well, first, my apologies to anyone at home who actually keeps up with my ramblings. It's been a busy week, and I've neglected my blog.

But here I am now, with a free bit, to blab about my latest adventure, which actually occurred about a week ago now.

So, I officially decided on my mid-semester trip, and I can't remember if I've already revealed it, but if I haven't I'm going to continue to keep it a secret. The only clue is that it does not include Cairns. So, since I wouldn't be heading there for break, I decided to head there for a weekend!

My friend, Suzie, and I picked up on Friday morning, caught our flight out of Sydney and landed in Cairns before lunch. By dinnertime, I had already knocked another item off of my life "to do" list. Suzie and I bit the bullet and went bungy jumping.

Though, invented in New Zealand by Aj Hackett, the tallest Aj Hackett Bungy Tower is now stationed just outside of Cairns in a rain-forest environment. It is a towering 50 meters high (150 feet for all those in the states). So, after a short bus ride out of Cairns, Suzie and I paid our money and climbed the tower, where we strapped on our harnesses, let them bind our feet, wiggled to the edge of the platform, took a deep breath, and plummeted the 50 meters to the small pond below. It was exhilarating to say the least. It took way more guts than skydiving, and it was awesome to just leap from a platform, putting all my faith in..... a rubber-band. I'm sure this sounds ridiculous. So, I'll move on.

Day two of Suzie and I's excursion to Cairns proved as entertaining. We woke up bright and early to catch our reef tour with Passions, the most wonderful of the local touring agencies. The catamaran boat took us on our hour long trip out to Michaelmas Key, a tiny sand island that we used as home base. From there, we got our diving lessons and then went on our first 30 minute dive. Yes, the reef is beautiful, and yes we found Nemo, living with daddy Marlin in their anemone. We also saw sea cucumbers, starfish, and tons of other tropical fish. Plus it was incredible to see how big the reef is, I suppose hence the name GREAT Barrier Reef. On our second dive, we got to go for a longer time and we got to go deeper. This time we were in the outer reef where things are less disturbed, brighter and more active. The mountains of coral were enormous and we saw so many more fish. It was really incredible day. The food was good, the water was beautiful and our instructors, Dave and Em, were so much fun!!!!

For our last day, we met up with some other girls from BU and went sea kayaking at Fitzroy Island just about an hour's ferry ride from Cairns. The water was so beautiful and clear. The island was awesome too. It had trails to hike on and a beautiful beach to relax on all afternoon. Sea kayaking was a great relaxing day to finish up our trip.

The next morning, after saying goodbye to our lovely british roomie, Matt, I caught an early flight back to Sydney (I had to get back for class, but Suzie stayed an extra day). It was a great weekend!!!!!!

Looking forward to the one coming up too. I spent this weekend resting, but I'm headed to Melbourne for the first part of next week. It should be really cool. Also, I'm getting ready to start production for my film class, and also getting ready to go to an interview for my internship.

All of that stuff, I'll give details about later.

Love you all, and miss you tons!!!!!

Peace.

Koo-Wee!

Well, I just got back to my apartment from a weekend in the Blue Mountains, and it was fabulous!!

We hit up a cheesy tour bus for a quick ride out of the city to Glenbrook and Katoomba. Our crazy guide, a woman named Ned, took us to see the main sights. We got to check out some kangaroos, so aboriginal cures for the cold, and the reason the Blue Mountains are blue (a chemical released from leaves that creates a blue haze). After a walk down the Furber Steps (over 1000) we hopped on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, topping out at at 52 degree angle!!!

After some pasta and a trip to the local pub, we stayed the night at the local YHA (youth hostel association australia) and woke up early to embark on our day of abseilling (australian name for rappelling) and canyoning (for you montreaters think crazy extreme rock hopping) in the Blue Mountains.

We met up with our guides, Lee and James, geared up and headed to the abseil training course. I was awesome. We started at about 15 feet and worked our way up with 30 meters (about 90 feet!). It was completely sick and had crazy views.

After a morning of dangling from midair, we ate some lunch and then hiked our way down to the Empress Canyon. We donned our wetsuits, since the water is still only about 6-8 degrees celsius, and took to the canyon. After walking for just about 25 meters, we took our first 15 foot water jump. We then trekked our way through the canyon doing 2 more jumps and then finishing off with a 30 meter abseil down the famous Wentworth Falls with a water jump at the end.

The day was tiring but awesome! We had a great time conquering our fears, taking hold of the rope, and dropping down the side of cliffs.

Everything else is going great. Start full time classes tomorrow and then headed to Cairns next weekend!

Miss you guys, and check my flickr soon. I'm working on getting pics up sometime in the next couple days.

Cheers!
Liz

P.S. Koo-wee! is what you yell if you're ever lost in the bush - hopefully someone will answer.