Just completed the task that we came out here to do. We just finished diving the Great Barrier Reef! We have always talked about putting together a bucket list, but . . . . . we’ve been a bit lazy and haven’t gotten around to it. Also, B-Rod isn’t much for lists and and long term plans. Ironically, planning stresses him out! Anyways, if we did have a list, diving the Great Barrier Reef would probably be on it. So . . . we’ll check that one off of our non-existent list!
Saw lots of different fish, a decent sized turtle (awesome!), and Rocky saw a sting ray and shark (not quite as awesome!). It was great and we are certainly glad we did it, but It made us realize how lucky we were with our experiences in the Philippines. Not only was it a bit more interesting in the Philippines, but it was a lot more personalized. I actually started panicking before going out on the first dive. There were people everywhere, running around putting on gear, and in my anxious state of mind (it’s been a year . . . I was nervous) it felt quite frantic and did not put me at ease. Luckily, not much phases B-Rod, he could see I was starting to freak out, and has a way of calming me down (ironically, it’s by viewing the freak-out as ‘quite funny’). Once in the water, and once we finished the first dive, the other two were a piece of cake. It was nice to be on a boat, awesome to finally get into the water, and an extra bonus that neither of us get seasick easily (there were a few passengers that were upchucking . . . didn’t look like much fun!)
This pictured was taken by a Japanese girl, allegedly a super famous free-diver, and the subject of a film being shot on this trip.
. . . . . and heck, . . . . . Wy-not?
We even spent some extra money and bought a picture of Rocky, taken by the boat’s photographer. B-Rod had already sucked all of his air, and was up at the surface, so his picture wasn’t taken, saving us $18!
Yesterday was spent hitting the Sunday market, going back to Hartley’s Crocodile Farm to learn more about different Australian animals, and just driving around admiring the scenery.
An organic artisanal boomerang. It was beautiful, and even though wafer thin, was super stiff wood . . . heh heh.
The boomerang-ist himself. He had us all intrigued!
Nothing is funnier than watching a Koala sleep jerkin’
The rare portion of the day where the Koalas are awake.
Some Jurassic bird.
The snake show.
A Croc show. This is a working crocodile farm, and once the crocs on the farm side are large enough, they are swathed, combined, and baled into finely crafted handbags full of croc steaks. On the upside, farms like this are important in the conservation of wild crocs, and educating people. They do a fantastic job, and we enjoyed this farm tour very much.
Feeding the bouncing rats.
B-Rod didn’t feel super comfortable, but not sure if he was scared of them, or just didn’t want to touch the filthy animals.
. . . this post has been brought to you by Australia’s famous Sausage Sizzle. According to B-Rod, a ‘pretty good’ hotdog, served with fried onions and a skinny ass piece of white bread
Oh…BRod would not be pleased with the dog-to-bun ratio on that one. Happy that you got to cross off the Great Barrier Reef from your list! Looks amazing.