"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

"If you're gonna throw a boomerang...wear a helmet!"

So today was my first full day in Australia and it was completely amazing! We started out eating breakfast at a hotel in the downtown cairns area and then got to walk around a little. I went to an open air market across from the hotel where I had a mango smoothie and bought a really pretty bracelet :)

So today we went to this park called Rainforestation where we got to interact with kangaroos, take a picture with a Koala and experience the aboriginal culture. Most amazing day of my life. I also got to hold the biggest snake in Australia and throw a boomerang (which was an epic fail).


I am now laying by the pool again, this time its actually light out (I know you are all jealous..haha) and I might go swim for a little bit and then dinner. Tonight I think a group of us are going to go out downtown so that should be fun...hopefully I wont be too tired.

I cant wait until tomorrow!

Love,
Melissa

Australia Day 1

So I am finally here! After an endless number of flights (which makes me never want to even see a plane again) I have landed in the beautiful Australia!

The trip over here wasn't too bad, I slept most of the way and luckily and thankfully my luggage made it here as well!

I first took a flight from Chicago to LA where I met up with the other Australearn students for our group flight to Brisbane. That flight was about 13 hours! At least they had some good movies. I watched Love happens, The Invention of Lying, An Education Julie and Julia, an episode of madmen and 2 episodes of CSI.

When we landed in Brisbane we had to clear customs, which was a little stressful and the fact that I was sweating to death form the heat and humidity didn't make it any more enjoyable. I immediately had to recheck my bags and boarded my next flight to Cains, the final destination for Orientation week. The flight to Cains was amazing...we had views of the great barrier reef for most of the time and I have to say it was so breath taking! I cant wait to go snorkeling there next week!

So now I am just chillin' by the pool of our Hostel listening to some Red Hot Chili Peppers...niiiice :) I think I can get used to it.

I have to admit that I was so nervous and anxious for this trip, but those feelings are completely gone as of now. I have met some great people and everyone is soooo nice! Plus our tour guides are so great and funny..I love Australia so much already!

On the agenda tomorrow: Playing with Kangaroos and Koala's in the rainforest!!! SO EXCITED! I will update as soon as I can and post some pictures!

Until then mates,
Melissa

One month to go...

So I have a little over a month left until I leave for Australia. Everything is basically in order..I have my visa, I have my housing, I have a potential list of classes,and all my flights... sooo all is good i guess for now.

For my trip,I fly from Chicago to LA to Sydney and then finally to Cains where I have an orientation with everyone in the AustraLearn program (our organizer) where we get to dive in the great barrier reef, interact with kangaroos and koala's, as well as having a day of choice and other activities. From there I will take yet another flight to my final destination of Brisbane. I am studying at the University of Queensland hopefully taking marine biology, ecology, environmental systems and a film studies classes.

So that's about it for now. Just wanted to get the blog up and running. I cant wait to be in warm weather again!!


-Melissa