A class at CQUniversity solely for non-award students (i.e. international exchange students) teaches us how to scuba dive, sail, canoe, and kayak. It encourages us to get involved physically with the different environment by providing us with opportunities to explore with the class and supporting us on our own adventures. After a few sessions of pool dives and theory, I was finally cleared for open water dives. The guys from Chicago and I took a bus over to the nearest harbor last Saturday. We started on the slowest boat in the harbor which took over 2 hours to make it to Outer Rock. This beautiful rock is near the end of the Great Barrier reef and was home to many wonderful creatures. As my dive log states: we got the chance to touch the backs of wabbygong sharks while watching them feed and hold a feathered starfish during the first dive. The second dive we saw a tawny shark swim nearby. The corals and fish that surrounded us were beautiful to watch when I wasn’t concentrating on staying at the correct level to not run into the coral on the bottom. Despite trying to not get injured during the dives, I left both dives with scratches and cuts below the knee and bloody noses. Even though we only went 12 meters underwater, a bloody nose still turns the water in your mask green. This is a very interesting thing to notice and confused me a bit. (Red light is the first to be absorbed by the water.) A few hours later we arrived back at the harbor after seeing a dolphin and turtle on the ride. After returning to college we raced to dinner then for me off to church youth group.
At the end of youth group my friend and I decided instead of returning to College to study or do something productive, we would ride his motorcycle up Mount Archer. This took about 5 minutes. The look out was a beautiful place to see Rockhampton at night time and to attempt to see a word written out of the street lights. A hour or so later it got cold enough to return to College but not for long. Since I left my cell phone on the mountain we convinced another friend to drive us up then explored the residential areas on the mountain.
Sunday afternoon: While doing some of the required work for the week I was offered the chance to go rock climbing. It’s been awhile since I went for a climb and I’ve never gone outdoor climbing so I jumped at the chance. We grabbed the ropes, harnesses, and gear the headed over to Mount Archer. The area was on the other side of the mountain as the look-out and provided an amazing view. After two awesome climbs each on trails set-up by our “guide’s” friends we returned. I loved the opportunities to explore the area both above and below sea level this past weekend and look forward to additional dives. My leg scratches and bruises as still a reminder of the wonderful times. Well more adventures await: This weekend I will try caving.
G’day,
Kathryn
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