Spring Brook National Park Trip

Hey everyone,

Hope you all had a good weekend.  Mine was really fun.  Thursday and Friday we had blue skies and amazing weather! Thursday I spent the day at the beach and then Friday we all hung out by the pool! It felt like summer again since the past few weeks its been pretty dead around with everyone having exams.

Saturday night I went with my roommate and a few other friends to Main beach where we went to a    "Norwegian party. " I was one of the few people who didn't speak Norwegian or Swedish but since they all speak English it was fine.  I was surrounded by beautiful blonde Norwegian girls so what more could I ask for? A found out a few are actually are in one of my classes.

Today my program had a trip to Springbrook National Park, which is in the hinterlands about an hour drive from where I live.  First, we stopped off at a spot where we had an amazing view of the whole Gold Coast Skyline.

Gold Coast Skyline in the Distance

Group Picture

Then we arrived at a small visitor area where we spent some time feeding some Rosella parrots.  We then got a tour of glowworm caves.  Glowworms get their names because they have a tiny blue light that they use to attract bugs when they are hungry.  The caves were pitch black so all you could see was a bunch of little blue lights which was really cool.  We weren't allowed to take any pictures but we found some in the light outside so we took pictures of that but you obviously can't see the light since it wasn't dark out.

The white things hanging down at the top are glow worms

After that we received a quick tour around the rainforest there and then headed further to another area of rainforest where we went on a 4 kilometer hike. Our tour guide has worked there for 30 plus years and was able to give us heaps of information pertaining to plants and trees.  He made mention of a stinger tree which he pointed out and told us about how just by touching the leaf with your skin it could cause serious pain. The pain he described as being like getting battery acid thrown on you and this could last from days to even months! I was also hoping to come across a snake but wasn't successful.  Another thing that was pointed out to us was a hole off to the side of the path which we were told was where a funnel web spider would be.  The funnel web is one of Australia's deadliest creatures where if bite you have just 2 hours to get help or the bite can be fatal. On a lighter note, we came across an awesome waterfall where we hung out around for awhile and enjoyed the spectacular views!

Ali and I 

Our final stop was at another part of the rainforest.  We came across a bunch of trees that were 2,000 years old and also spent some time at another waterfall.  We came to a point where on a clear day you can see for miles and miles but because it was a cloudy day we were in the middle of a cloud so couldn't see a foot out from the cliff.

Me inside the trunk of an enormous tree

I will be leaving early Thursday morning for my 12 day holiday so I will probably not post again until I return! I have a lot to get done before I leave.

 Hope everyone has a great Easter!

Week After Exams

Hey Everyone,

I know I haven't written in over awhile I had 3 exams last week two of them on Saturday so I spent most of the week studying.  Haven't gotten the results back from two of my exams but I got a 41 out of 50 on my International Relations exam.  I am trying to find out the grading scale because they don't use ABCD here.

This week I have been catching up on sleep, planning my mid-semester break, and starting essays and I project I have due after break.  Of course I have found some time for relaxation as it has been a really warm, sunny week!

Yesterday, I went on about a 10 mile run from my apartment to the highway which crosses over a marina and then eventually leads to a long path that stretches alongside of the ocean! It is so nice to run and look out at the ocean so I've been finding myself running that route at least a couple times a week! It doesn't get old! One of these days I'll borrow a bike and take pictures along my route so you can see just how awesome it is!

Today, it was really nice again probably around 80 degree and sunny.  I had class until 11, then went and got my haircut (it'd been over 2 months so it was getting really long), and then grabbed a textbook and headed off to study at the beach! I actually find it less distracting to go to the beach and read then staying in my apartment or going to the library.  Something about being at the beach makes reading a textbook not so bad. I grabbed lunch at a little cafe type place right next to the beach and got a great deal on fish and chips for $5! Then had to get my 50 cent ice cream from Maccas, which has become a ritual every time I'm at the beach.

I finally have my plans finalized for my mid-semester break which begins a week from today, which has taken a good deal of effort to figure it all out and fit in everything I wanted to do.  I will be going with my friend Jackie, as most of my friends opted out for cheaper smaller trips for the break. My roommate Elin is thinking about coming and meeting up with us for a few days.

My itinerary looks like this: First 3 days are at Fraser Island were we will be doing a 4 wheel drive tour along the beach.  Fraser is known for seeing dingos so hopefully we'll be lucky.

Next its a bus to Airlie Beach which is where we will take off for our 2 day 2 night sailing trip aboard a yacht  in the Whitsunday Island which is home to world famous Whithaven Beach!

After that, we will make our way up to Cairns.  In Cains we will be taking a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef.  Included in the package will be an introductory scuba dive (since I'm not certified someone will be with me helping me).

We'll be spending our last day in Cairns doing a Daintree rainforest tour.

Then we'll fly back from Cairns to Brisbane and then take the train back to the Gold Coast.  Total trip will be 12 days!

Will probably be spending the next couple days continuing working on my essays and project since I will only have a week to complete them when I get back from my trip.  Also I will be looking into and helping plan my trip when my Dad comes out toward the end of May!

Tonight is Tav night so I will be taking a break from studying to have a good night out!

It's crazy to think I'm already approaching the halfway point of being here!!

Will be writing again on Sunday after a day trip with my program! Have a great weekend everyone!

-Bryan

Weekend/Exam Week

Hey Everyone,

Not too exciting of a weekend because I had a mid-semester exam Monday morning.  I went out Thursday night and then hung out and studied Friday.  Saturday a group of us went to the beach and did some surfing.  The waves at the beach we were at were intense so we got thrown around pretty badly- I guess that's why they call it "Surfer's Paradise."

Anyways, Saturday afternoon I got the call from my dad that my Great Aunt Virginia had passed away.  She was 96 years old and had only been going down hill the past couple months.  I am very thankful I was able to go see her before I came here in January when she was still doing fine.  I remember we sat and watched game shows with her and I remember seeing a huge bag of potato chips in a plastic bag on her door. When we asked her about it she told us she would be huge if she ate them all the time so she just collected them and every once in awhile she'd eat a bag! haha. I also remember asking her how she was doing and being amazed that at 96 the only thing she mentioned was that she would get out of breath easily from walking too fast!

I have a lot of great memories of when she lived in the house next to my Grandma and we would walk next door to visit her.  She will definitely be missed and I will cherish all of the memories I have.  I will be praying for everyone, especially my Auntie Mary as these next few days will be especially hard on her.

Aunt Virginia and I

I will be spending the remainder of my week planning my mid-semester trip as well as studying for two exams I have on SATURDAY.

Have a good week,

Bryan