Last day aboard the Avatar

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This morning we woke up bright and early after spending the night looking at the stars– we saw Scorpio, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and the Southern Cross. It’s incredible how clear the skies are with no light pollution. And thankfully, we had a very well educated skipper who was able to point us out all those stars! We then headed for our first destination again for snorkeling and again, saw so many amazing things! We enjoyed the day lounging around, snorkeling, taking pictures, and just relaxing–. Once we docked, we all headed our separate directions and I went with Florian the german guy to his hostel, which seemed pretty nice. We got checked in, and had our first shower for the last 3 days! It was nice to feel clean, but I’m still bobbing a little! We then headed out for a walk, and then everyone’s meeting up at 7:30 at Magnum’s for a night out :) This trip was a definitely great value and I’m so glad I did it! What a life experience! Just wonder what I might get up to next–stay tuned :)

Great Barrier Reef

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Today, we set sail again in the morning for our first bout of snorkeling. We all hired these great wetsuits, which I’m convinced, anyone can look like a cool surfer just by wearing these! We all headed out in the morning for our first glimpses of the amazing coral of bright and vibrant colours, along with the fish that would simply come up to you and say hello! I couldn’t believe how brilliant all the colours looked, and I hope the camera I hired will have captured at least some of the waterscape! We ended up at a few destinations and snorkeled in each. I had to take a ginger pill today for seasickness, and I couldn’t believe how well it worked!

Set the Sails!

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This morning, I rushed to the grocery store and got some last minute snacks for the trip aboard the Avatar. Russ drove a group of us going on sailing tours down to the marina, and I headed for my group– there were only about 12 of us, which was good, because that just meant more deck room, and more sleeping room! Aboard the ship were 3 crew (AUS and NZ) and then 12 people. 5 were Austrian, all just having completed work for the winter in Southern Australia at a ski resort, 1 English girl Donna, who had been traveling around Australia for the past few months, 3 Germans, 1 studying in Adelaide, 1 studying in Brisbane, and his girlfriend who was visiting rom Germany. So, me and my USA self just got on board and had a grand ol’ time. We set sail at 9:00am and headed for our first destination which was the most magnificent beach you could ever imagine. I just can’t wait for my pictures to be online! The beach was soft, 3000+ year old sand, makes for some of the softest sand you could ever imagine! The pristine beaches, blues of the water, all made for a fantastic, hard-to-beat first day! Food was excellent aboard, and star gazing at night was absolutely breath taking! We all slept with our hatches open and all slept like babies!

Arrival in Hamilton Island

After my flight, I arrived on Hamilton Island and enjoyed the warm air awaiting my luggage to be dropped out. We then all headed for a ferry that brought us to the mainland, and then waited on a bus that would bring us to Airlie Beach. The weather was fantastic, and I hurried along to make sure I could reach the check in time of 9:00pm at Bush Village. I got picked up at the bus station by Russ, the Canadian driver for the Bush Village, and we headed back for met to get into my room. In my room was Nadia, a german girl who had been traveling for a couple of months. I then headed to the main area for the rest of the movie with some people staying there. Then, Nadia came up, with her Australian mate Bianca, and we headed out for a night on the town. We ended up at Magnum’s, a cheesy spring break looking hangout, which is on this Floridian looking strip. Why is it all beach cities seem to look like Florida?? Anyhow, we met up with another german girl, and a swedish guy and hung out for a couple hours before I needed to turn in for the night–as I am leaving for my sailing trip in the morning!

Off to the Great Barrier Reef!

Tomorrow, I’m off on a flight to Hamilton Island which is in the main set of islands right of the north eastern coast of Australia that start the Great Barrier Reef. I’ll be there for six days, and will go on a sailing tour all around the reef for some snorkeling and fun in the sun! Stay tuned for my trip as it unfolds! Also, I should get amazing pictures as I’ve arranged for an underwater digital camera for my trip as well!

Photography Exhibition

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There was a photography competition at USyd this month, so I submitted some images to be shown. All 9 were selected to be shown. Since I’ve never had a showing of my work before, I didn’t really know what all went into it. Anyhow, I left class early to go to the opening function, in which I was quite happy that I had so many supporters. Paula, Sarah, her boyfriend Ben, my two flatmates, and two other friends David and Julius all came to take a peek at my work. What was so interesting and fun, was to see other people coming and taking actual time to look at each picture in detail, and then smile and talk about it. After about a half hour, the announcer came on to tell the winners who they were, and unfortunately, I didn’t get any mention. But, what was rewarding enough was a couple that came out of the blue who found I was the photographer of those works and said, ‘We thought you had it in the bag by far–we’re really surprised.’ So, just that comment made it all worth while, plus the fact that so many people came to support my work being shown. Thanks everyone!

Bondi Wind Festival Series

Today my friend Corbin and I headed for Bondi Beach to see the Wind Festival. This is the day that everyone brings out kites, both professional and for kids, and flies them along the beach. We saw some really interesting colourful kites, but the wind wasn’t extremely strong, so a lot of them weren’t in the skies for very long. The pictures can be seen at my images site. The day was nice and warm and we just enjoyed relaxing in the sand getting some sun.

My Twins

This is so strange. Just in the past 3 days, I have heard from 3 separate people that they have seen my twin (geographically impossible that it’s the same). My friend Ian said that he saw my twin in San Francisco, and Joi, my twin (from the back) in Oakland, and then my Mom & Dad in Chattanooga (my profile and mannerisms). I know of this phenomenon because I’ve seen people that I think look exactly like someone else I know, but what I’d like to know is in this day of technological advances why someone can’t take a picture and let me see too! Or, do I really want to?? :)

An Emotional Ending of SFU

Last night, the package from my brother arrived with a videotape of the Series Finale of Six Feet Under. As this was a show I started to watch during my summer in LA, it’s amazing how connected to the characters you can become. Though when I moved to different places, I didn’t have HBO, and wasn’t able to keep up with it as I liked. But, I did get the DVD’s to catch up, and I’ve been reading avidly this past season so I can see the finale.

What an amazing piece of artistry. Even from the beginning scenes, with Ruth’s falling into depression, I was teary up until the end where I was absolutely balling uncontrollably. The way Claire moves on to see what’s out there for her, and the separation from your family of what during your childhood would seem like an eternity. When she takes the picture of the family and Nate is whispering, you can’t take the picture because it’s already gone–the evolution of growing up and older and on and forward, it was just so intense. Bravo to Alan Ball and the cast for making such an amazing piece of creativity affect so many people’s lives. And what a gift to be able to make so many people realize what life is about and encourage everyone to LIVE.