Can't help but relax.

Ok, I have a problem. I have been so lazy and relaxed the last few weeks. I mean I have been doing things and seeing stuff around Cairns but I haven't been as active as I normally am. Plus I am having trouble focusing on what I am going to do on Friday. That is when Bobbi and Nick leave. I would like to find a job, but I worry that I won't find one since I will only be working a few weeks before mom comes for a visit. I am thinking that after mom's visit I will settle somewhere for awhile and work. But of course, I have no real plans. I might even go back to Western Australia.
But as far as the rest of my time in Cairns it has been amazing. The house where we are staying is beautiful, the pool is beautiful, and of course the company is perfect. We went white water rafting last week and I really enjoyed it. Okay it wasn't the biggest rapids, but still it was pretty fun. And Nick the very experienced rafter even enjoyed it. We also went up to Port Douglas once again. I spent the afternoon with London while Gord and Diane got pampered. Bobbi and Nick went on a two day cruise on the reef. Unfortunately they didn't enjoy themselves, but we had a good time with London. Bobbi and I also had a girls night and went to a chick flick. Once again it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. But still we had a good laugh about how much of a gong show we can be together. Gord and Diane left for Sydney on Monday. So the four of us spent a quiet day at home yesterday. In the afternoon Bobbi and I went into Cairns and looked at a few shops. We picked up some pizza for our supper. Today all four of us went to a crocodile farm. We spent most of the day there. London was really good even though it was really hot. We got amazingly close to some big crocs.
So the rest of my week will be filled with more swimming in the pool and enjoying the company of London, Bobbi and Nick. I will also find a job and figure out where I am going on Friday.
Until next time,
Cindy

Great Barrier Reef

The last few days have been so busy with activities I have not been able to update on here quick enough. Also I have been a bit lazy enjoying my time with Bobbi, Nick, London, Gord and Diane. Basically I have been shopping, going to aboriginal displays, visiting national parks and today I went to the Great Barrier Reef. This morning Gord, Diane and I went into Cairns and got on a boat to the reef. The ride out was very rough!! Before we left I took two ginger tablets to help calm my stomach, and I am so glad I did. I thought I was going to be sick! At one point even Gord wanted a bag, because he turned a little green. There were people all around us filling their bags. That wasn't pleasant but the boat wasn't full of people so it wasn't so bad. Once we got to the reef I rented a Lycra wet suit. There are still box jellyfish in the water and they can sting you badly. I am glad I did since I also didn't have to worry about sunscreen since I was covered head to toe. I learned from experience that you should always have sunscreen on when your snorkeling, especially on your butt. So the three of us went out and we all decided to take purple noodles so we could spot each other if we got too far away. I was worried because it was a bit choppy out there and I am not the greatest swimmer. I did awesome. In fact, I stayed out longer than Gord and Diane. It was very beautiful coral. It was a little brighter and more colourful than the ningaloo reef in WA. But most of the fish were the same. We made three different stops to snorkel. Some people were diving as well, (none of us). On the second stop I saw a shark! It was pretty big, about 5 feet long. It was just on the bottom in the sand. Once everyone spotted and the divers got close it swam away. They are reef sharks and they are very shy and scared of us. Unfortunately I didn't see a turtle, I was really hoping too since they live in this area. But since I saw one at the ningaloo reef I wasn't that disappointed. The third stop I was having trouble with my goggles. I think I somehow got switched with someone and they weren't fitting properly. At one point when I was far away from the boat my goggles came apart and I had to try swim back to the boat. Luckily the lifeguard on the top of the boat was watching me after she signaled to me asking if I was okay. I got back on the boat and fixed my goggles and headed out again. I met Gord and Diane coming back onto the boat. Diane thought there were too many jellyfish for her since she didn't have on a wetsuit. On the first stop she was stung on the finger. I was glad I had my suit because there were alot of jellyfish. I seemed to still be having trouble with my goggles so I went back in. I was one of the last in. I then took some ginger tablets because I didn't want to toss up my delicious lunch. Thank goodness it was a smoother ride home. I also purchased a picture from the underwater photographer. I have decided that is what I would like to do. Diane joked that I would be the only one with a noodle.
All in all I had a fantastic time. I think Diane and Gord also enjoyed it very much.
Tomorrow is white water rafting so hopefully I have just as much fun.
Until next time,
Cindy

Cairns

On Thursday March 12th I finished working at the hair salon. I left Southern Cross on Friday morning and caught a train back to Perth. It is a 4 hour train ride from Southern Cross to Perth. Robyn picked me up from the bus station and we went over to Lulu Lemon to do a bit of shopping. We then went back to her house and spent the afternoon catching up. In the evening Kent, Robyn and I went to the markets for Friday night supper, this is a tradition for them. It was very nice because I got to see their friends again, and I really enjoy their company. Right after the markets they dropped me at the airport to catch my 10:55pm flight to Cairns. I wasn't even tired when I got on the plane. But I had an isle seat and was unable to get comfortable so I didn't sleep much on the way. I also think I was just excited to see Bobbi, Nick, London, Gord and Diane. I arrived in Cairns at 4:10am. Bobbi and Nick picked me up from the airport. Since they were not used to the time change it didn't feel too early for them. We got back to the house and I gave London a big kiss although she was sleeping in Grandpa's arms. We spent the morning catching up and then had an early breakfast as the sun came up. After breaky everyone went for a sleep. Since I wasn't tired yet I unpacked and then went for a dip in the pool. It is very humid in Cairns and I love the heat. We spent the day just around the house since we were all tired. We did go into Cairns in the afternoon and bought some fresh fruit at the market. Everyone had an early night.
On Sunday we got up fairly early (they still haven't adjusted to the time change yet) and had breakfast. Since it was nice and hot we went for a swim in the pool and did some pool yoga. In the afternoon we took a drive to Port Douglas. Bobbi and Gord went for massages and Nick, Diane, London and I hit the shops. London, of course got a few things while shopping with Grandma. Nick and I bought her a floating toy for the pool so she can sit and relax like the rest of us. We also bought Bobbi and floating bed so she can lounge in the pool. We then headed to a supermarket and got some groceries. That night Nick cooked an amazing pasta and chicken dish. Between him and Gord there is no way we will even need to eat out. They are fabulous cooks. I decided that I would do the cooking on Monday night. I had been planning a nice meal for them as a token of my appreciation. So I made my list and planned out where we would go to get it the next day.
On Monday morning I slept a bit later, but was still up fairly early. They are starting to get used to the time difference so everyone is sleeping later. Bobbi seems to be having the most difficulty with it. I have noticed she doesn't go without a nap in the afternoons. In the morning I went to the beach and did some yoga. I am loving my new yoga DVD and book Robyn gave me. By the time I got back to the house (the beach is across the street, you can see it from the pool) I was hot and needed to have a dip in the pool. Gord, Nick and I decided to have a game of Settlers of Catan, and I won!! I haven't played in 5 months but my skills are still good. After lunch Gord, Diane and I decided to go into Cairns and have more of a look around. But on the way we found a fish shop and I picked up some barrimundi and prawns for my supper. Once in Cairns, Diane and I checked out some shops and we had a agreed to meet up with Gord at 3:30pm. We spent about 2 hours shopping and enjoying downtown Cairns. The last stop downtown was a Cold Rock ice cream. I had Cheesecake flavoured ice cream with Tim Tams in it..... YUM!! Also helped to cool me off. We waited by the van for Gord who was late. Turns out he felt the need for another massage. We then headed to the grocery store to get the items for my meal. We headed home and I got straight to work. For our meal we had Barrimundi fish fried in oil with a little bit of seasoning. Roast (Aussie) pumpkin, carrots, and potatoes. At the store we also picked up a Greek salad. And for desert we had pavlova. It was my first time making it and it was a total success. The entire meal was so good!!! After supper we just sat around outside and enjoyed the warm night. We also got a visit from a toad that wanted to come into the house.
Today we slept in a little bit, but London doesn't allow that to happen for too long. This morning her and I played in my room and we decked her out in an Aussie bandanna. She looked like a pirate when Grandma and Grandpa got up. In the afternoon Bobbi, Nick and I went to Crystal Falls and took a short and easy hike up to see all the different falls. We then got down and went for a quick swim. There were a lot of different fish in the water, and it was very cold. Before we got down there we saw something in the water that looked like an eel. We also saw a dragon type lizard and the most beautiful butterflies. They flew all around us as we were walking and when we went for a swim we saw four of the prettiest ones ever. We then headed back for the van and stopped at a few shops on the way home. I needed to get some ear plugs since I am getting an ear ache from the pool. I also bought London an Aussie outfit, that I am hoping she will wear tomorrow.
So far I am having a blast in Cairns. It is very nice here, but the water is no where near as beautiful as in Western Australia. That Indian Ocean just has such a gorgeous colour to it. Tonight Nick is BBQing steaks, so it will definitely be amazing.
Until next time,
Cindy

Kalgoorlie

On Saturday I made plans to "knock off" early from work and catch the train to Kalgoorlie. It is a two hour train ride there so I arrived around 2 in the afternoon. Once I got off the train I walked to my hostel which was only a view blocks from the train station. Kalgoorlie has a population of approximately 35,000. I spent the afternoon wondering around. I wasn't thinking and didn't go to the supermarket until after 6pm and it was already closed. Since I didn't get there I didn't have any breakfast for the next day or any super for that night. I ended up with some fish and chips and spent the evening back at the hostel reading and chatting with others. I went to bed around 11:30 but was awaken around 2 am by the other girls staying in my room. Apparently people don't have respect for others staying in the room since they decided to turn the light on and stay up reading and eating chips for over an hour. Needless to say I didn't get a very good sleep that night. I was totally planning on being loud and turning on the light when I got up, but they just happened to be up and around by the time I got back from my shower. I had a tour booked that started at 9:30am. They picked me up at the hostel and took us for a tour of Kalgoorlie. We then went to the super pit lookout. We also went to the Kalgoorlie 2up. I don't know much about the game except that it sounds like heads or tails and you place bets on it. It is illegal to play on everyday except ANZAC day. The place they play is actually in the middle of no where with a big circle that has benches all around it. There is sort of a patched up tin shelter around it, definitely nothing special. After that we went to Boulder for a wonder around and had lunch. We also stopped in a pub to check out the old mine shaft that was in the floor. After lunch we went to the Mining Hall of Fame. We also took a tour of an old mine. We went underground about 30 feet. It was a working mine until the 1950's. We spent about 45 minutes under ground. It was very interesting. We spent the whole afternoon wondering around the hall of fame. Since I didn't sleep very well I ended up with a terrible headache. I got back to the hostel around 5pm. I spent the evening trying to get rid of the headache so I didn't even leave my room. When I woke up this morning I was feeling much better. I went for a big breakfast since I didn't have supper the night before. I then went back to the hostel and checked out. I left my backpack there and then went to the Museum of Western Australia. I spent about an hour and half checking out the place. After that I went over to one of the brothels on the famous Hay Street. My hostel was actually not to far down the street. There are three working brothels in Kalgoorlie. I wanted to take a tour but only one offered a tour in time for me to catch my train back to Southern Cross. It was actually very interesting. I would have liked to tour the other brothels to compare. This one had been rebuild not too long ago so it was fairly nice. It is amazing to think a city of that size can support three brothels. The other brothels both claimed to be the oldest in town. I'm sure if the walls could talk, they would have some interesting stories. After the tour I went back to the hostel to grab my bags and then walked over to the train station. The ride home wasn't so great since I had to sit beside a stinky old man. I was happy to get back to Southern Cross to my own bed.
Until next time,
Cindy

NASA Poll

I have added a new poll to the bottom of the page. When I was on my Exmouth tour I heard a story about how people in Western Australia weren't sure about NASA landing on the moon. There is a huge satellite dish in Exmouth that helped with the moon landing. Our tour guide told us a story about how Western Australia was broadcasted the footage of the moon landing before the rest of the world. He then told us about how that footage was edited and shown to the rest of the world. There are claims that there was a coke bottle seen in the footage before it was edited out. I don't know much about this, so I did spend an evening researching it on the Internet. I am curious to know what the rest of my readers think. Please vote!