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Haha, just read my last blog entry and plans have completely changed! It's a good thing I didn't really book anything! I've changed my mind!
Well anyhoo, I'm on Magnetic island and it's GORGEOUS! Apparently this is suypposed to be one of the best, sunniest places in Aus - they have over 320 sunny days a year which is pretty good! hehe! And it has been hot since I've been here! (Since erm... Wed I think!)
If anyone cares the hostel I'm in is called Base Backpackers and I'm staying in like a tent thing! It's cool though - it's like a room and it's fairly big and it's sturdy, it just has canvas walls and a zip for a door! You might be able to google the hostel and have a look! It's good anyway - two people per room, but I have one all to myself which is good after being in shared dorms for the last 4 weeks!
The hostel is right on the beach (Nelly Bay) and there is a pool, and bar and stuff and it ain't far to walk to the supermarket.
The first day we were here, me and Sophie hired snorkels and got a day bus pass. We went up to snorkel in Alma bay and saw lots of little fish round there. We were going to hire a moke, which is like a little mini car thing - they look well fun! but they'd run out, so then we were going to hire a scooter, but Sophie thought she'd end up killing herself so we didn't get them in the end. I was well up for it! But it's prob a good thing we didn't get them - I'm sure it woulda ended badly! haha! So we stuck to the bus instead.
After Alma bay we went to the north of the island (it's only small, so not too far to go!), and did a walk around the old fort there. It's called forts walk, suprisingly enough! We saw wild koalas for the first time since we've been here! Ened funny though, we were walking up the hill and saw these two french girls looking at what we found out to be the koala and it's baby. We all took photos, and then Sophie decided to go closer and take a better one. All of a sudden the koala ran down the tree and started chasing after us! We've never run so fast! Haha, it wsa funny though - we didn't realise koalas could run - they usually just sleep all day!
Then on Thursday morning I started my Opebn Water Dive Course - you can't scuba dive without it. (Well, you can do introductory dives, but they are more expensive, shallower and under constant supervision cos they don't tell you how to do it, they just tell you to breathe!) So when (or if!) I pass that, I can dive anywhere in the world. Obviusly, as a begionner I wouldn't choose to dive without a dive master/instructor, but with this course I could if I wanted. Also, to dive anywhere on the great barrier reef you have to have done a minimum of 6 dives, and this course includes that.
Anyhoo. I did all the theory stuff on Thursday and Friday. Watched some videos, chatted and did my exam (you needed 80% to pass and I got 100% go me! Haha!) And we did all the equipment and skills we needed in the swimming pool. I know how to set up all the equipment and how to check it, what to look for safety wise etc etc. We also have to do certain skills to pass so we did all those in the pool. Like taking the breathing bit out and putting it back in properly etc, and taking the mask off and on properly, emptying it if it gets filled with water, ascending and descending etc etc.
Then, went out in the sea today for the first time. Was a bit scary! And it's really poor visability at the moment so couldnt' see any further than about half a metre in front of us. Did some of the skills in the sea today and do the rest tomoro. Everyone did the one where they take the mask off and on today, but I didn't! The one we did before that was filling the mask up with water (leaving it on) and emptying it correctly. And during that I managed to swallow and snort a load of sea, so I didn't wanna take my mask off and I have to do it tomo instead! That one scares me a bit though so I may see if I can have a bit more practice in the pool or something.
The feeling is weird on your ears - you have to learn to equalise them properly on the way down, and we had to do loadsa sciencey stuff about pressure laws and stuff. My ears still feel a bit funny now, but hopefully they'll be ok tomoro! I was really scared initially going down in to the sea, and panicked a bit! But I was fine once I was in - have done the skills 3 times in the pool anyway, so it was good! Shame we couldn't see anything though - it's supposed to pick up on Monday and I may still be here then so I can space my dives out if I want!
Last thing is that Sophie has gone on (she doesn't wanna fruit pick cos she doesn't want her second visa and I do!), and I think I have managed to get myself a job here in the bar for abit! I have to chat to the manager bloke this afternoon so I'll find out for def the pay etc then, but think I pretty much have it! Fingers crossed! So yeah, if I stay here I will work for a few weeks (or maybe stay here til christmas if I meet a good bunch of people), which'll be good as I can do some diving too! We are right on the reef here, and although you have to get a boat to the good stuff and animals, there are a lof of fish and gorgeous coral and stuff right on the doorstep here (not that I'd know - I couldn't see owt today!)
Think that's all the news I have though... Still topping up my tan, having a good time! Met my first Aussie yesterday as well! Properly, like we're friends! Haha, he works on a boat down in Airlie.
Yeah, that's it! More divey stuff tomoro... Speak to ya laters!xx
Ooo also, this picture is actually of somewhere relevent! This is Horseshoe bay which is on the north of Magnetic Island, I ain't been there yet, but I will do before I leave!xx
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