Scuba-Diving, and the Rainforest

My scuba program was so much fun. I am so happy I did the 5-day course, which was a few days of class with learning the theory and practicing in a pool, and then open water dives out by the reef to practice. After 3 open water practice dives as part of the course, I got my open water certification and got to dive with buddies for the rest of my days on the boat. The reef was so beautiful, and it was incredible to get to swim with fish and see all these incredible things that you don't get to see from the surface or from snorkeling.

Swimming with Nemo :)

One of the cool things was that I got to go on some night dives. It was really scary at first, but ended up being some of my favorite dives of all. There were sharks, and this really pretty glowing planketon, and I saw sleeping turtles and an octopus.

On my last day, they asked me to stay on and volunteer for a few days. If I helped them clean, I would get free dives. So, in the spirit of my newfound passion, and spontaneity I ended up spending a few extra days on the boat. It was very fun, and I got a lot of practice with diving. I was washing dishes (again) but it was worth it.

The dive gear on the dive deck of OceanQuest, the boat I went on

The only downside was I had 2 days in Cairns. But, it was pretty fun even though it was so short. I ended up staying at an awesome hostel, and my roommates were really nice. 2 were from France, so I got to practice my very rusty french. The hostel also had a deal with a restaurant in town for free dinner, so that was really convenient as well. On my full day there, I went up to this village in the rainforest called Kuranda.

The beautiful waterfalls on the way up to Kuranda Village

An adorable sleeping koala

It was beautiful, and so neat to see all the trees and waterfalls on the way up there. They had street markets to walk around in, and a small zoo where I saw koalas and pet and fed a kangaroo :)

Isn't he cute??

After my time there, I was off to Sydney for another 3 days.

Scuba!

So, after one very interesting night shut in the bathroom at my hotel (sturdiest room in a building you know) and 30 hours of no power, I was starting to lose a bit of hope on my vacation. However, it was all meant to work out, as my scuba class started on time today. I was the only one willing to wait out the storm apparently, so I was the only one in the class. Which was awesome because we got to do all of our pool theory stuff today...so much fun!!!

I really, really love it. Not as much as the ice of course, but its so great to have something to get passionate about again. I admit, I was kind of losing hope there for a little- Antarctica was my dream, and what happens when you achieve your dream? Whats next?

Well apparently, for me, its scuba diving. Its the coolest thing ever, breathing underwater and getting to be a part of this whole universe that we just can't grasp from the surface.

I love it.

Cyclone in Cairns

Yesterday morning, after a delicious late breakfast of pancakes, and then an early lunch snack of naan, I left Sydney for Cairns. I was looking forward to sunning, scuba diving, seeing the rainforest, and really enjoying all the place had to offer. Which, apparently, includes catagory 5 cyclones.
A cyclone is a hurricane spinning in the opposite direction (due to the equator being above us rather then below) and the catagory system is the same. I haven't really been watching the news, nor if I was would it have changed my plans to come. I managed to check into a nicer, sturdy hotel (although the hostel I picked here is very nice) and am going to ride it out.
This is just one of the more adventuresome things that comes with travelling (especially in cyclone season). I am not at all concerned- I mean, I know I am trapped in the path of a catagory 5 cyclone, but its not that big of a deal that the news is making it out to be. Its not like I am trapped in Egypt.
I just hope I will still be able to go diving later on this week!