Finally here...

The cay we travled too. Very beautiful and out in the middle of the reef. The sand and water were awesome. These birds nest here.
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We stepped out of the plan at the airport in Cairns and were immediately assaulted by the oppressive heat of the tropics. Giant palm trees and ferns greeted us cheerfully, and the lush mountians made me feel like I had walked into Jurassic Park itself. The next day we went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. The reef was just what I imagined it to be - full of brilliant colors and hundreds of different kinds of fish. Orange, blue, green, yellow, pink... you name it. The coral came in all shapes and textures. I spent hours out in the clear water and I always saw something new and just as breath taking. Often I would find myself in the middle of a school of fish. I was just in awe of my surroundings. Another unreal experience was being let out of the boat and snorkeling over to a sand island in the middle of the ocean. The sand was beautiful and the water warm and clear.

Brian and me after we snorkeled to the cay. The water is so warm and the sand so nice!
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The next days activities were spent at the Cairns Tropical Zoo and the Tjapukai Aboriginal park. We saw amazing animals and even held koalas and fed kangaroos. Everything was so exotic and amazing. We learned a lot about the aborigini culture and were given the opportunity to throw a boomerang and a spear. I'm going to need practice!

it was all unreal and breath taking

Both nights I went out to the bar. The second night my friends and I met some Australians who were really friendly. Everyone here seems very friendly and they all seem to have a "have a go" attitude. We are all definitly having a go with things because it's the best way to go!