Shark Attack! Just joking... I dived the Great Barrier Reef and survived.

Just got back from an AMAZING few days living aboard a boat out on the Great Barrier Reef.  And to top it off, I am now a certified diver!  And I didn't kill myself or anybody else in the process.  Yes- vacation has officially begun.

Our days pretty much started at the crack of dawn.  At which point we got geared up in cold, wet stinger suits and on top of that we added 5mm wetsuits that were a pain to get on.  Then plunged into the water from the swimming platform.  We'd go out for about a half hour, come back, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat dive, eat then sleep.  Then begin again the next day.

One of the highlights of the trip was the "Night Dive".  As if this doesn't sound scary enough to a new diver, the instructor gave a briefing about giant moray eels attacking our glow sticks (we were each assigned a group color so we could find eachother).  Apparently the eels preferred the pink color of glow stick - and yes, I was in the pink group.  Then he briefed us on shark attacks, and how we needed to create a circle if they start attacking. Of course... all of this was a big fat joke he was playing on us newbies.  Needless to say this put everyone on edge, because it was the kind of joke that left you wondering if there was some truth.  OH AND HERE'S WHERE IT GETS CRAZY.  As we were prepping for the night dive, about three or four 6-foot long sharks were circling the back of the boat feeding.  The same place where we were going to enter in a big thrashing motion as we jumped into the water.  Digby the dive supervisor wished me well as I jumped off the back, and mentioned that his might be the very last face I would see. Lucky me. With flashlight in hand, I descended into the depths of the GBR, watching the sharks swim by and hoping I would make it back safely.

Turns out that the biggest danger was turtle watching.  Who wouldda guessed.  There is a big sea turtle named Brian that sleeps down there in a cave and we went to visit.  Of course in the dark, about six of us got into a twisted pile, and fins and arms were flailing in a tangled mess.  My approach was to hold onto my regulator and mask for dear life.  I was not about to try practicing any mask removal skills in the DARK.

Finally the dust settled, people separated, I found my dive buddy and we got moving again.  Despite all of the dangers, I managed to get through the dive safely.  I felt like quite the explorer down on the bottom of the ocean with my flashlight.  Not knowing what was lurking around the bend.

So here I am back in Cairns.  With a funny sunburn, some new bffs, and a hankering for a refreshing beverage.  So I'm off to the bar.

And tomorrow begins a new adventure... driving in Australia.  I am renting a car for the next few days and going exploring the rainforest up towards Cape Tribulation, then down as far as Townsville.  Til next time... Jenny

Portland to Cairns - The Longest Day Ever

Two calendar days and about 36 hours later - I made it to Cairns!
This being my first update from Australia and my first effort at travel blogging (I'm scared!), I'm going to go easy on myself.  Here's a list of highlights as I went from Portland to Cairns:

San Francisco - loooong layover, took Bart into the city, went to the Embarcadero where there was a market, walked up the hill to Chinatown and confirmed that I am LOVING my 15lb backpack.  Had an extremely good Hum bau and got a little blue wallet for my travels. Love SF.

Flight to Sydney - surprised to be seated next to a girl that had a *striking* resemblance to Claire on the show Lost.  Seriously.  Unlike Claire in Lost, I did make it to my end destination, Sydney.  And I slept most of the way.  Go me.

Sydney Airport - had a perfectly brief stay, got to enjoy the sweet voices of little Australian boys playing with their mom and reading the paper.  I learned about some new Australian tax law.

Arriving in Cairns - My first encounter with the locals - made the mistake of saying "excuse me sir.." to a bus driver.  He rolled over laughing... "well I've been called many things in my life..." hah.  Note to self: will be taking a less formal approach in future.  Other shocking sight - children driving!  Okay actually just caught me off guard - the driver is on the opposite side than I'm used to. Just passengers.  Phew.

Medical Clinic - I went to the local 24-hour clinic to get a dive medical.  Another experience with formality or lack of it - one of the patients in the waiting room was barefoot.  No worries mon.

So there you go.  I'm here now and heading out in a few to check out Kuranda.  Then getting my dive gear sorted out tonight.  Then off to the Great Barrier Reef early tomorrow morning.  Things are looking very good and its good to be here.

Last-Minute Details

Just a few days left until I get on a plane headed to Cairns, Australia.

I've been daydreaming about this trip since last November.  Which means I've had plenty of time to scour the internet for activities, read travel guides and make some new purchases (underwater video camera!).  I recently started reading Bill Bryson's In A Sunburned Country about his time in Australia.  Funny.  Also started my SCUBA certification this spring which I am going to finish up on the Great Barrier Reef when I arrive.

My biggest concern right now is to take care of all of the small pre-departure details - pay the bills, stop the mail, make doggy arrangements.  Then there is packing.  This year's challenge - paring the main bag down to 15lbs!  The reasoning is that it will make traveling more fun AND I can take the bag as carry-on luggage.

The 15lbs includes my mask and snorkel that I'm bringing.  So I'm going to have to make some hard decisions come Friday night.  If I need something I can always get it there, right?

Wish me luck!