After breakfast we went across the street to a building called Rydges, to do some orientation stuff. We started with name games, having to introduce yourself and saying something you like that starts with the first letter of your name. We then discussed a PowerPoint, the do's and don't's of Australia, all of the slang words, goals of studying abroad and so on.
After the Globalinks PowerPoint, a lady from adventure travel came to speak to us about our free excursion. There are four options, Whitsunday islands, Bali, Fiji, or New Zealand. Because I already have a trip to New Zealand planned my last week, I took that option out. Friends who have been to Australia before, said that the Whitsunday islands are 100% worth it. So I am leaning towards that. Also, we are able to pay for another trip, and Bali looks worth it. So I am leaning towards Whitsundays and Bali.
We finally were on our way to the rainforest. We took a bus ride that was about 40 minutes, but it had an incredible view. We passed a cool sky rail also. I could not get over how beautiful the scenery was. Beautiful trees, with mountains in the background.
Once we got to the rainforest, we split into two groups. First, my group went to do Australian canvas painting. I got to paint a crocodile. We also had the chance for face painting, which is common for Australian Aboriginal culture.
After painting, we had a buffet lunch. There was chicken, pork, beef, noodles, veggies and fruit. The chicken was so delicious. To waste time after lunch, we went up a treehouse. It was so beautiful. Everything in Australia is just great.
Next, we took an army duck boat on a tour of the rainforest. We learned about all of the different trees, being educated not to touch anything, because some can be deadly. Our tour guide was very funny, and made the tour so much fun. We saw lizards and turtles too.
We then were taught how to throw boomerangs. This was an experience. I thought it would be very difficult, but it was just the same as throwing a softball. I was actually pretty good at throwing it. It looped around and almost came right back to me like it should have.
Then we were taught the four important steps in playing a didgeridoo. The steps included breath control, tongue control, voice control and lip control. It was so cool being able to hear the different sounds they can make with it.
After that, we got the chance to watch the aboriginals through spears. They had a target set pretty far away, and most of them got very close. There was a cute little aboriginal boy who was even showing us how to throw. Throwing spears looked very intense and I wish we would have gotten the chance to throw them.
After the boat ride of the forest, we went to see the aboriginal dances. This was so cool to see. They performed different types of dances, explaining the scenes for each dance. One dance was about to kangaroos fighting for food and another dance was about two hunters hunting and cutting down a tree for honey. Once they were finished their dances, they invited volunteers on the stage to learn their dance moves. Andrew and Anna got chosen so it was so funny seeing them dance.
Finally time to see the animals! We saw a Tasmanian devil that just continuously ran in circles, a wombat, crocodiles, turtles, kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and a cassowary. We even got to pet an 8 month old koala, who was the absolute cutest thing ever. We also had the chance to hold a snake. I was terrified. I am soooo afraid of snakes. But I figured this would be the time to do it, so I stepped up and held it. The pictures that were taken of me holding the snake, didn't turn out so great, so I even held it a second time to get pictures. One thing to cross off of my bucket list...
Next it was time to hold the koala bear. I cannot even begin to explain how adorable they are. They are so soft and furry and precious. We all had the chance to hold it and get our picture taken with it. After we got that picture, we could roam around for a bit, so we all went to take pictures with the kangaroos. They were awesome. Watching them hop is so cool.
Once we got back to the hostile, a few of us decided to go for a run. We went on about a four mile jog around cairns. We ran down to the lagoon, and kept going. We were running on a trail next to a beach. It was stunning. Along the path, there was different sets of workout equipment, a water park, grills to cook and volleyball courts. Australians love being outside, so this trail was packed full. It is so nice seeing so many people enjoying the weather and the outdoors.
After our run, we came back to the hostile to get ready for dinner. We walked down to a place called Grill'd for some burgers and fries, or chips as they call them. I ended up getting a chicken burger called Simon Says. It had chicken, bacon, avocado, lettuce and herbed mayo on it. It was delicious. Once we were done, we just walked back to the hostile, and are currently just hanging in the room. We may go down to the club, but we are all exhausted and have to be at breakfast tomorrow morning at 6:30, then we are off to the Great Barrier Reef! I cannot wait to snorkel!
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