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On Sunday night I made sure to look at some of the excursion options in the travel agent's office in my hostel (which is surprisingly decent). I share a room with five other people; there's three sets of bunks. Two are from Belgium, two from Frankfurt, and one is from Sweden. In general, there are mostly Europeans in the hostel, and it's not crowded at all, which is great during the free breakfast (cereal and toast, but I'm not complaining) and when you need to use the pool or kitchen. They have great internet, too. The staff is very helpful and friendly, and have helped me book two excursions.
In the morning (as I was saying), I woke up around seven having picked my excursion for the day during the night before. I was going out to a sand cay about 75 minutes from shore to see the reef. I got some nice sun during the morning cruise, and at the island, I put on all of my new snorkel gear and lycra suit I rented for five bucks since it is definitely jellyfish season. Let me just say that I am so glad I rented it. In any case, with my suit, new fins, new snorkel, new goggles, new gloves, and new diving knife (courtesy of my protective boyfriend), I jumped in right off of shore. I saw a sea turtle in a matter of moments. It was pretty epic. But after a while, I went on a glass bottom boat ride, which showed me where the best diving was. After the boat, I jumped in my gear and spent HOURS on absolutely beautiful coral reef! On the reef, something is always moving and catching your eye. It's not even quiet since the parrotfish are scraping off algae from coral with their beaks.
I still cannot believe how much there was to see. I was freaking out more than the "double rainbow" guy (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI). I had no one to share my awe with, and I am still stunned. I swam with clownfish, rays, sharks, every shade and shape of coral, parrotfish, sea cucumbers, anemones, eels, jellyfish, giant clams, crabs, sea horses, and a billion different fishies! I still can't believe I experienced the reef. It truly is a national reasure. The colours of the coral were like looking at a 128 pack of Crayola crayons. The shapes and designs were so unique. You could have a spiralling neon yellow next to a crusty sky blue next to a coral that was shaped like a pile of sand dribble castles that was one-third sherbert green, one third-dusty rose, and one third purple mountain's majesty purple. Everything was just so stunning, striking, and vibrant. And you'd be swimming along and next thing you know there's a ray just beneath you or a sea turtle laying on the sand or a giant clam suddenly closes its mouth. Even the clams are midnight blue with an electric blue or orange border. I wish I had an underwater camera, but it wouldn't do the reef justice. How can you capture the pinnacle and vibrancy of nature in a 3x5?
And yes, I was glad I hired (rented) a protective suit. I saw quite the number of jellyfish. It had a hood, too, so the only unprotected part of my body was a few inches of cheek on my face. Also, to my boyfriend, the snorkel set ROCKS, especially the snorkel. It saved me from swallowing massive amounts of salt water because it allows any water in the tube drain out and when you dive, it prevents any water from entering the top of the tube, so clearing the snorkel is easy as pie.
In any case, I was sorry to go, but I was exhausted and slept the 75 minutes cruise home. I don't know how that happened, but I was swimming for hours and I woke up early, so I guess my body pooped out. I grabbed a few things from the grocer for dinner, and spent the evening picking out what I'm doing tomorrow, updating my facebook photos, doing homework, and writing a few journal entries.
Tomorrow, scuba diving. A dream come true.
Aaaaaaaaaand, less than a week till I am home. I am so excited!! I have had a wonderful, life-changing time here in Oz, but I am not digging my heels about going home. I know I'll come back some day.
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