I found Nemo....twice

Finally done work!!!! Not really sure how I feel about it all. Not sure when the next pay check will come in. But mostly liberating not to have to wait on people hand and foot- coffee slave no more.

With my backpack strapped on, and a smile on my face, I boarded a plane for my little adventure up north . My first stop being beautiful Cairns to visit miss Lesley. The first night we went for 2 for 1 drinks at The Pier. And well... it turned into a night out on the town. Next came the live band, and dancing at Gilligans.

The next morning we got up and hiked Blue Arrow. I was very happy to see a rat kangaroo, actually four :)

May 31st- MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

We started the day visiting Mossman Gorge. And then drove into Port Douglas for lunch, and a bit of a tour. After lunch Lesley dropped me off at my hostel, where I stayed for the next four nights. Four Mile Beach
Snorkeling with Haba- bit of a windy day. The ride out to Opal reef is two hours, and at least 10 people were yakking at the back of the boat. I was fairly green myself, but managed to survive. Had a great day out on the reef, and made a new Dutch friend named Joost.

Then I sadly left my friends in Port Douglas, and took a bus further north to Cape Tribulation, aka the jungle. The first thing I did there was jungle surfing. Taking zip lines through the canopy of the rain forest.

Watering hole rope swing- I seemed to be doing alot of jumping on this trip. And alot of being afraid of the bushes. The jungle wasn't really for me. I was constantly aware that I was in the land of Crocodiles and Cassowaries. If you don't know what a Cassowary is, it is a large basically prehistoric bird that is very unfriendly and will supposedly rip open your chest. And it has a big piece of bone on its head. There is a path from the watering hole to the beach . The guide booklet told me to follow it... however, half-way through I see the HUGE and plentiful signs that are all warning me about recent sightings of crocs, and signs of DANGER. If I wasn't afraid to breath, I would have taken a photo of my terrified face. I basically became more stealth than Pocahontas. I was never so happy to finally see the beach at the end, a beach free from croc danger signs.

I also had the opportunity to go snorkeling again in Cape Tribulation with Rum Runner. It was one of the most amazing days ever. Perfect sunny conditions- swam alone with a turtle for 20 mins- saw two sharks swim around me- more turtles- and wonderfully colourful reef- delicious lunch- and extra white wine on the homeward journey. I was very happy I made the choice to go again. Unforgettable.

After Cape Trib I made my way back to Cairns to stay with Lesley again.

Mission Beach skydiving- 14, 000 feet. Yes, that's right, I actually jumped out of a plane of my own free will.... and liked it.

Yay, Bruce!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Yay, back on land!! Great trip!!!

I did more bubbles...

Not done yet.

Roses!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look at what was delivered to me today at work!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know why I am so deserving of these beautiful flowers, but am feeling most lucky and loved.

Thanks gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finger candy

Got a FANTASTIC package today. I had such a crap day at work (rude customers, busy, busy, grumpy stuff). BUT all the negative feelings of the day were washed away when I opened my package!! Like Ingies says "vasbyt".

Two more weeks of work left, and then I will be an official backpacker in Australia with a backpack and everything. I’m going on a little excursion up north to Cairnes, Port Douglas, and Cape Tribulation. Then back in Bris-Vegas for one more week, then on a flight to L.A.

CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!

TEAM PURPLE

Joined a women’s basketball team…number 11 again, life is grand.

I LOVE the Market

Went into the city last Saturday to go to a gallery in The Valley. And happily came across a market, with hand made clothing, vintage jewellery, and live jazz music. Ended up buying two dresses and a necklace, think I’ll go again next week.

Also went out on the town with Julie and Aine. Had a grand time wearing new dress, and dancing all night.

Nimbin Marty GRASS

Two weeks ago, myself and four of my lovely Irish friends set out on a mini road trip down to Nimbin, NSW. What a strange little town it is. Each year during the first weekend of May, Nimbin is the host to a festival called Marty Grass. We arrived there at 6 pm, well after dark, and miraculously stumbled upon a large field where hundreds of others had parked and had made a make shift campground. So we set up our tent and headed into town to indulge in the festival food, crowds, ambiance, and amazing people watching. I’ll spare you the nitty gritty details of the night, and go with a quick summary… drums, dancing, brownies (not the special ones, but equally special that night)…COLD temperatures…chai tea…camp fires…no sleep. The next day I couldn’t wait for everyone to wake up to go get coffee at the Rainbow Café in town. Despite being a little hungover and tired, the day was fantastic. Nimbin is a beautifully scenic little village town set in the mountains. We spent the day relaxing and exploring- saw the museum (four tiny rooms), the town hall, and watched the parade. I highly recommend visiting Nimbin if you are travelling to Australia.

And because all I do is hang out with Irish people, I feel as though I’m turning Irish. My new favorite word- crack. And no, not following the theme of the weekend, it’s not the drug crack cocaine. Well sounds like “crack”, but spelt “craic”. Can be used in many many ways….such phrases as “What’s the craic?” (meaning what’s going on?) And “Such good craic” (it is amazing, or fun, or exciting). Ah, love the Irish!!!