quick'un
i have 12 minutes and 24 seconds left on my computer, so i'll make this short, and there may be typos. work it out.
we are FINALLY leaving cairns today. it's weird to see a city that literally would not exist if all the tourism stopped. everything everything is for tourists. you can't throw a frickin boomerang without hitting another shop wanting to sell you tours or didgeridoos or "authentic local art" or a dive trip or blah blah blah... but regardless, we have enjoyed our stay here and it makes an excellent base for trips in the region.
we did indeed snorkel on the great barrier reef. we used a company called quicksmart, which is part of quicksilver, and we did a day trip up out of port douglas, a little further north, where there are fewer boats going out daily and it's generally less crowded. we went to 3 sites on the agincourt reef, saw lots and lots of fish... we almost did the introductory dive (30 min dive with no certification), but na found out she's not allowed cuz of the whole asthma thing aside from the just-sick-ness. i almost did it anyway - got that nervous "about-to-do-it" feeling in my chest and everything, but then realized i never really wanted to do it. that was nabia. i think i felt like i should do it for her because she was dying to and couldn't. but i wasn't really interested. i would just be freaked out the whole time. maybe one day in the future i'll want to, but it isn't now. so i snorkelled and was very content. lots and lots of fish. i think the coral used to be a bit more colorful before el nino and all the coral bleaching that happened, but there were still just so many different kinds and fish and schools and giant clams and staghorn coral and big superfish... i saw nemo. and he was doin his little boogie in the anemone, just like in the movie. oh, and i tried a duck dive. i got nervous, as i always do, but really, that's stupid, cuz it's easy. that's just when you take a breath through your snorkel and dive down a little bit and blow out the water when you come up. i remember the first time i saw someone do it - it was my brother, i think it was the camaan islands [sp], and he dove to get a sand dollar. i was vastly impressed. but anyway, i did a couple and was proud of myself. sad to say though, no sea turtles yet. still looking, i'll let you know if we see any on the way down the coast.
5 minutes left!
so that was good. snorkelling on great barrier reef. check.
yesterday was supposed to be an "errand" day but instead we decided to go with one of our roommates - nicole, german - on a day car trip to the atherton tablelands- a hilly, rainforesty, waterfally area just inland and south of here. so that was a nice day of driving and swimming in lakes and things like that. we had tea and scones during the afternoon rainstorm. oh, and we convinced nabia to steal a sugar cane from the vast fields of it near here. used to be the number one industry before tourism took over the world.
2 minutes!
today we're off to townsville, getting a ride from a nice man we met in an indian restaurant the other night. he was eating alone and joined us for conversation (we noted the wedding ring before we said ok - don't worry moms). anyway, he was going that way today anyway and offered to show us places only locals know about. plus - free ride. so yay.
1 minute left. i guess i'll just post.
ooh - i have more to say about interpreting. for friends. and the issues that arise.
and jordana - the photographer said the stuff is on the way and he'll check with sunny today - look for an email.
and elaine - i've never heard of that candy. i'll look into it.
and matt - you're the evil one. this hoppity things is giving me nightmares.
email me
we are FINALLY leaving cairns today. it's weird to see a city that literally would not exist if all the tourism stopped. everything everything is for tourists. you can't throw a frickin boomerang without hitting another shop wanting to sell you tours or didgeridoos or "authentic local art" or a dive trip or blah blah blah... but regardless, we have enjoyed our stay here and it makes an excellent base for trips in the region.
we did indeed snorkel on the great barrier reef. we used a company called quicksmart, which is part of quicksilver, and we did a day trip up out of port douglas, a little further north, where there are fewer boats going out daily and it's generally less crowded. we went to 3 sites on the agincourt reef, saw lots and lots of fish... we almost did the introductory dive (30 min dive with no certification), but na found out she's not allowed cuz of the whole asthma thing aside from the just-sick-ness. i almost did it anyway - got that nervous "about-to-do-it" feeling in my chest and everything, but then realized i never really wanted to do it. that was nabia. i think i felt like i should do it for her because she was dying to and couldn't. but i wasn't really interested. i would just be freaked out the whole time. maybe one day in the future i'll want to, but it isn't now. so i snorkelled and was very content. lots and lots of fish. i think the coral used to be a bit more colorful before el nino and all the coral bleaching that happened, but there were still just so many different kinds and fish and schools and giant clams and staghorn coral and big superfish... i saw nemo. and he was doin his little boogie in the anemone, just like in the movie. oh, and i tried a duck dive. i got nervous, as i always do, but really, that's stupid, cuz it's easy. that's just when you take a breath through your snorkel and dive down a little bit and blow out the water when you come up. i remember the first time i saw someone do it - it was my brother, i think it was the camaan islands [sp], and he dove to get a sand dollar. i was vastly impressed. but anyway, i did a couple and was proud of myself. sad to say though, no sea turtles yet. still looking, i'll let you know if we see any on the way down the coast.
5 minutes left!
so that was good. snorkelling on great barrier reef. check.
yesterday was supposed to be an "errand" day but instead we decided to go with one of our roommates - nicole, german - on a day car trip to the atherton tablelands- a hilly, rainforesty, waterfally area just inland and south of here. so that was a nice day of driving and swimming in lakes and things like that. we had tea and scones during the afternoon rainstorm. oh, and we convinced nabia to steal a sugar cane from the vast fields of it near here. used to be the number one industry before tourism took over the world.
2 minutes!
today we're off to townsville, getting a ride from a nice man we met in an indian restaurant the other night. he was eating alone and joined us for conversation (we noted the wedding ring before we said ok - don't worry moms). anyway, he was going that way today anyway and offered to show us places only locals know about. plus - free ride. so yay.
1 minute left. i guess i'll just post.
ooh - i have more to say about interpreting. for friends. and the issues that arise.
and jordana - the photographer said the stuff is on the way and he'll check with sunny today - look for an email.
and elaine - i've never heard of that candy. i'll look into it.
and matt - you're the evil one. this hoppity things is giving me nightmares.
email me
posted by theonetheycallamy at 2/03/2005 05:22:00 PM
5 Comments:
Oh, the snorkeling sounds so great. I remember our adventures years ago on Cayman, and on St Johns, and they were the best memories! And I DO remember that dive Dan made for the starfish- where is that now, I wonder?
I guess we moms have to understand hitchhiking out there is another thing completely! Do you agree, Na's mom? We'll do our best to not freak out, we promise.
Love you lots- where's your next stop??? Maybe you'll be passing by Lightning Ridge and visit with Ruth and Justin again?
Mom
I'm the one who hung out with an echidna at the taronga zoo.
try cadbury breakaway bars. i lived on them when i was in australia and i haven't had one in years; i no longer have someone who sends me boxes and boxes of them. sniffle sniffle.
BRING ME ONE! (please)
have fun.
-nrw
From Mom to Mom and girls: I'll just be holding my breath till next call or email or blog. Looking at a finger and seeing a ring honestly does nothing to reassure me...anyway, I'll be managing, and hope you are continuing to enjoy this marvelous adventure.
Ok, so I am finally all caught up! Hooray for internet. That's right, i'm still using Thea's, which explains why I so scarcely have time to read regularly, let alone post. But that will all change when I get a new computer that is wireless ready! Your posts are amazing, totally informative and fascinating. You write so well that I can visualize everything and laugh right out loud at the funny parts. Expect a long email. As for some other posts here: Evan, you are evil, how do you live with yourself? Matt, hoppity is evil too, but not as bad as Evan. Nikki (if you are NRW) you can find Cadbury break away bars in some NYC grocery stores. Try Fairway.
Love and tons of hugs,
Em
I read your blog after sending you the e-mail so now you can disregard my e-mail. Thanks for checking with the shop. I have not gotten an e-mail yet and was about to cancel the payment on the credit card.
Sounds like you enjoyed Cairns - I did too. Believe it or not - today marks one month since I have been home. Keep enjoying yourselves because the time seems to be passing so quickly.
Jordana
Post a Comment
<< Home