"We're in the Jungle Forest!!!"

These past two days have been hot and tiring but very fulfilling. Monday was our day of choice and I ended up going into the rainforest up in the Daintree national park where I was able to go to an animal enclosure (where I pet a crocodile), swim in a gorge in the middle of the rainforest (which felt like Jurassic park...amazing!), go on a daintree river cruise, where we saw a live croc (CRIKE!) and eat ants.

Yes, I ate bugs. They are called green ants and if you suck on their butts (I know...gross) it actually has this very tasty lime flavor...kinda like a pop rock in your mouth. Some joined in on the ultimate ant eating contest...I however opeted out.

On our jungle tour we also stopped by the memorial site of where Steve Irwin was killed. It was very serene and humbling to see the spot where someone so beloved lost their life.

After we had a bit of a pick me up stopping by cape tribulation, which is a beautiful stretch of beach where I put my feet into the ocean in Australia for the first time! (it was so warm it felt like bath water).

We then stopped by the Daintree ice cream factory where we got to sample four flavors: blueberry, mango, cappuccino and soursop fruit. My fav was definitely the mango :)

We finally made out last stop of the day to my dissapointment where we saw the biggest non poisoness spider in australia (any maybe the world...I dunno I stopped listening at the word spider) the golden orb. I only saw its two legs which were alone the size of my face. I refused to look at the rest, although my friends lovingly showed me a detailed picture. Atleast I did not cry.

We finally arrived back at our hostel, ate dinner and went to bed SUPER early.

Sorry this is a long post haha

Today was our day of service where we planted trees for the endangered cassowary (a large brightly colored bird...google it.) I was actually able to see one in the wild on my jungle tour, which is apparently VERY rare...HOW LUCKY! It felt really fulfilling to just do something that seems so small but will make al the difference in rebuilding the population of cassowaries.



The rest of the day was spent in our last seminar reflecting on our experience thus far.

Tomorrow is the REEEEEEEEEF! I AM SO EXCITED!! I HOPE I SEE A SHARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

until tomorrow mates,
Melissa