CAIRNS!

Well I did it! I can now say I've been to the Great Barrier Reef! Something I remember learning about in elementary school - so fun, right!?

We were 50kms off shore, and it was so strange to be in the middle of the ocean, and not able to see any land. I LOVE the beach, but I've got a pretty big fear of sharks. I'm the girl who requests to not be dipped in the water after parasailing for fear that a shark is going to come out of now where and snatch me, so I'm not going to lie, I was pretty scared that I would get eaten by a great white shark on this trip and never make it back. 

We were able to go scuba diving and snorkeling while at the reef. Scuba diving was a disappointment to me. The area of the reef that we went to was very gray and bland - not was you think of when you think of the Great Barrier Reef. I guess Finding Nemo set the bar kind of high! Snorkeling was great, though. We saw some super bright coral and neon fish. It was so fun to play with the coral (even though we weren't supposed to) and watch how it reacted!

The crew on our boat was a blast! They were crazy and a little bit creepy, but they made our day super fun! 

Our second day in Cairns was spend in the Rainforest!!! After riding in a gondola for about an hour, we made it to this cute little town and were able to explore for the afternoon. 

We spent some time in a butterfly museum. This little guy had a torn wing, and was so willing to let you hold him!

Thanks for the photo-op little guy!

We also got to go to a bird sanctuary.

LOOK AT THAT THING! Did you even know a bird like that existed? I mean, seriously..what is that!?

This guy was a stinker! Apparently he is still pretty young, and wants anything and everything. Maybe he is going through the terrible twos? He was trying to bite my finger nail here. Maybe bright blue polish wasn't the best idea!

The highlight of our rainforest trip was MAYA!

This sweet little baby just came to hang out with us for a little bit! The lady said, "be a tree" and then handed him to me for the picture. Poor kid was so sleepy he couldn't even keep his eyes open! 

We found this guy on one of our walks through the rainforest. Can you see his huge web?! eww, gives me the heebeejeebees just looking at it again!

I loved walking through the rainforest and seeing how the plants were all intertwined! 

UGH it was so humid in Cairns! It felt like I was home in Houston! 

We had a blast on our super short trip, and get to add it to the list of adventures we have had this year! 

We leave to come home in 10 weeks, and we are going out with a bang! We've got big exciting trips planned for the next 2 month, trying to take advantage of being on this side of the world! 

So until next time..

XX