Wanderlust Wonders: Vivian Kuang’s Journey Abroad (Week 8)
Down Under Diaries- Week 8
Happy Spring Break! It feels quite odd celebrating spring break amidst Australia’s autumn season. Nevertheless, this break has been another week packed with a whirlwind of heart-stopping extravaganzas in the land home to 2,800 plant species and 663 vertebrate animal species: Cairns, Australia. From delving deep into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef to soaring high above the clouds, each second is enhanced with thrilling “firsts” that I will forever cherish and be proud of.
Day 1: The Great Barrier Reef
Our Spring Break began with a plunge into the mesmerizing world of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling and scuba diving revealed a kaleidoscope of marine life, offering a firsthand glimpse into the vibrant underwater ecosystem. The sight of colorful sea creatures swimming effortlessly amongst the coral formations left me in awe of nature’s wonders. Never would I have imagined scuba diving would be so calming. Trusting the scuba gear and mask took time to become used to, however, once adjusted to the new breathing techniques, breathing underwater felt natural, almost like I was a fish.
Day 2: Atherton Tableland
Venturing into the land of Atherton, we embarked on a waterfall-hopping journey. On the bus ride there, we were graced with the sight of a double rainbow, adding a touch of natural splendor to this day. From majestic waterfalls big and small, each waterfall held its own allure. The highlight was undoubtedly Millaa Millaa Falls, where we immersed ourselves in the refreshing yet intense waters of this waterfall. Furthermore, we visited the Curtain Fig Tree, one of Queensland’s largest trees, that is over 500 years old.
Day 3: Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Adrenaline spiked as we witnessed a crocodile show from the safety of our boat. We watched in fascination as crocodiles lunged for their food (raw chicken)—a thrilling yet humbling encounter with Australia’s apex predators. Additionally, we toured the crocodile farm and learned about the ins and outs of working at a place like this. The tour guide mentioned that alligator skin is highly valued and is used to produce accessories, for instance, handbags and wallets. Aside from crocodiles, this site is also home to animals such as koalas, kangaroos, komodo dragons, and my personal favorite, wombats.
Day 4: Fitzroy Island
Nestled amidst turquoise waters, is a beautiful continental island offshore from Cape Grafton: Fitzroy Island. Snorkeling along the shore and conquering challenging hikes to the island’s summit rewards panoramic views of Australia’s natural landscapes. This relaxing day ended with a smooth ferry ride back home.
Day 5: Giant Swing and Bungy Jumping
Stomach dropping, I pull the rope that releases Australia’s only multi-person giant swing which reaches 120 km per hour in 3.5 seconds. This swing offers extreme speed and acceleration simultaneously. The moment of pure adrenaline-fueled exhilaration surrounded by the World Heritage Rainforest is incredible. The thrill only increased as I took a leap of faith from Australia’s only bungy tower, 140m above sea level. Voluntarily stepping off the bungy platform felt extremely unnatural. Every time the conductor counted down from 5, I backed away. I could not possibly convince myself to jump off. Finally, with a combination of self-determination and unwanted force, I slipped from the platform, dipped into the lagoon, and bounced up and down for what felt like an eternity!
Day 6: Skydiving
I embraced the ultimate test of courage and faith: skydiving. The exhilaration of jumping out of a plane is like no other, one that I’d experience over and over again. Surprisingly, the scariest part was not the jump itself, but the anticipation building up from the plane ride. As the plane flew higher and higher, the more nervous I became. Free falling from 15,000 feet, the initial gust of wind over Cassowary Coast below left me breathless as I flew over the Great Barrier Reef as well as Islands such as Dunk and Barnard. The birds-eye view from above is spectacular; landing on Mission Beach was smooth as can be. No amount of words or phrases can describe the sensation of looking down and seeing everything all at once.
As the week drew to a close, I stumbled upon a street performer and joined in for a night of karaoke. I found myself strumming the guitar and sharing my favorite songs with newfound friends. Since Sydney, I have yearned to try busking as street performers filled Sydney’s streets at night. I did not expect to have the opportunity to busk during Spring Break. Playing my non-primary instrument for a crowd in a foreign country boosted my self-courage and confidence. It was such a lovely experience sharing my songs and passion for music.
This spring break has been the best one, yet. I’ve embraced a new identity—a daredevil, thrill-seeker, adrenaline junkie—ready to conquer the world. As I bid farewell to Cairns and set forth to Singapore, I carry a thrill of newfound experiences and the boundless spirit of exploration of the unknown.
Until next time, Australia. Adventure awaits.
Vivian Kuang ’25
BSBA in Management and Organizations Freeman College of Management