After a short flight, we landed in Cairns. My friends and I explored the area around our accommodation before the group dinner. With our stomachs full of yummy food, we did some more exploring. We walked around the night market and did a bit of shopping before heading back to learn more about our accommodation.
The next day, we woke up early to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. The boat ride there was horrendous. The waves were massive, and almost everyone on the boat was sea sick because of them, myself included. Some of the workers on the boat even got sick. When we anchored the first time, the water was still very rough, requiring us to wear a life vest out in the water. I struggled against the waves and ended up being pushed back towards the boat more times than I could count. I was able to see some really cool fish when I was heading towards the boat. The second time we anchored, it was so much smoother. The water was fairly calm, and I was actually able to enjoy the snorkeling. Seeing the fish and coral up close was honestly one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.
We then had a day dedicated to seeing waterfalls. Even though it rained almost the entire day, we were still able to swim at most of the falls we stopped at. There were even stops for a lake and an ancient tree. I had a lot of fun walking behind the waterfalls and swimming! I even saw a double rainbow!
The rest of the break was much more relaxing. There was a half-day trip to a crocodile place where there were also koalas, birds, and snakes. After that, I spent the rest of the day by the pool to cool down. Then we visited Fitzroy Island, swimming and snorkeling. On the free days, my friends and I ate at different restaurants, got some sweet treats, and withered away at the pool.
The break was definitely relaxing and exactly what I needed. I had a lot of fun with my friends before setting off for my internship in Singapore!