This week was unsurprisingly the most eventful week so far. We stayed in a hostel above a club which i frequented nightly. We got some fun pool volleyball and basketball games going here throughout the week. There were also planned excursions every day except the final 2.
Firstly, we visited the great barrier reef where everyone snorkeled and I participated in 2 scuba dives. The reef is truly amazing. There are hundreds of different fish everywhere you look and the coral decorates the ocean floor with every color. I saw a few sharks and 2 sea turtles amongst many other fish.
The day after this we took a bus trip to multiple waterfalls, rapids, and a lake in remote parts of Queensland for most of the day. I swam at most of the spots and was continually amazed at the sights this place had to offer. It was a long day but every stop was well worth it.
Next on the list was a trip to a crocodile zoo/ farm. We were educated on the sustainable practices of farming crocodiles in Australia and the benefits it has for those in the wild and the ecosystem as a whole. I went on a short boat ride where the ca[tain fed crocodiles right off the side of the boat. Watching these huge animals launch out of the water was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. I also saw some cool snakes, birds, and a komodo dragon.
The last excursion was to a small island called Fitzroy Island. This was easily the prettiest beach I’ve ever been to. I did some snorkeling here as well as exploration of the rest of the island. The UV was 13 so I spent most of the time chilling on the beaches. We also enjoyed one of our multiple group lunches of the trip while we were here where I got a tasty steak sandwich.
Although there were no more scheduled group trips after this, On Thursday I went skydiving with a few other students on the trip. This was my second time skydiving but the views of the mountains and coral reefs in Cairns were so much better than when I went in North Carolina. I even saw a shark as I was gliding down over the ocean. The final day was a day of rest, and at this point I was exhausted from all of the activities. Unfortunately this meant I would be saying goodbye to the rest of the Bucknellians as I headed off to New Zealand for my internship. It was upsetting to leave everyone but regardless, I am excited to start my internship and explore the city of Aukland.