Family and friends (it's a long one!)~
I'm sorry it has been awhile since I have updated my blog, but I was on Easter holiday this past week, having the time of my life, seeing new places and spending a grand total of 33 hours in a van- wowsers! So here is a recap of my adventures:
DAY 1: Road trip to Exmouth
The beginning of our adventure up north- Guillaume, French companion- doesn't know how to drive an automatic van and the stearing wheel is on the right side of the vehicle...18 hour road trip, here we come! The outback consists of red dirt, spiratic green bush; and no sight or existence of water the entire way; even where it looks like a river should be, like under a bridge, is completely dried up! Sure makes you appreciate Minnesota's 10,000 lakes! Just as dinner time approached (hour 6 in the minivan) we were dwindling on 'E' just as we passed a gas station. Next station, 148 Kilometers away. We turned back around, but much to our disadvantage, the power was out and no service could be provided. While sitting, contemplating what to do, a huge Ford pickup truck pulls up directly behind us, hops out, and they dispose of their multiple empty bottles of alcohol (great). For those of you who have heard of the horror flick 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' that is exactly the image running through my head- alone in a gas station with a creepy man in the window telling us there was no service. Well needless to say, I do tend to let my imagination wander and miraculously the power turned back on, we got our gas for $85 and were back on the road again, and ahead of the drinking drivers.
We made it without hitting a single kangaroo! For the first night, we stayed at Monkey Mia resort/backpackers. We had a room with 3 bunks and one twin bed, so us 7 ladies were together; while our driver G, was next door. We walked down to the beach at about 10pm and while wading in the water we saw 2 dolphins at shore, literally 10 feet away! That's just a preview of Thursday morning, when we got to go down to the shore and feed them. Until then, I would fall asleep listening to my favorite music, the Juno Soundtrack!
DAY 2: Monkey Mia to Exmouth
We woke up at 6-something a.m. thanks to the 100 degree heat in our room. We all gathered our belongings, ate some brekky, then watched the sunrise down at the beach. It was absolutely beautiful! I probably could have done without the millions of flies swarming our bodies and faces though! We were able to feed the dolphins and then headed on our way up to Exmouth. Only an 8 hour drive on that day (Thurs). The group stopped at the Shark Bay Bakery for a little breakfast ans saw more dophins at the shoreline. Next stop, the Ningaloo Reef. And today we get to listen to my Jimmy Buffet mix. I am so pumped!
Our apartment was absolutely beautiful. Basically another Pepper's Beacon in New Zealand. We went to Pinnochio's for dinner and enjoyed some Spunky Chicken pizza and garlic bread. The pool overlooks the Indian Ocean coast at Exmouth. It is so beautiful! We all piled on out HUGE couch (fits 8), paid $15.95 to watch Superbad since we only had two channels, and after 20 minutes, I was sleeping--typical. :)
DAY 3: Exmouth
Happy 1 year and 5 months to Matt and me, :) We had to check out of out luxury hotel after eating breakfast and watching some Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, quality. Goodbye to the bathtub with jets. Luckily we'll be back for Saturday and Sunday night.
The town of Exmouth is nothing more than a grocery store, a few dive shops, and roaming wild emus (think ostrich) We are here pretty much for the diving and company of eachother! Night 3 will be spent at the Best Western, which was at one point in time, a naval base. Not much here, but there is a pool, where we spent the entire day. The maid service lady said we came at a good time, because a few days prior to our arrival, temps were at about 48 degrees Celsius- that's nearly 130 degrees Fahrenheit!
Dinner was spent at Blue Lips for burgers and fries. It was about the only place open on Good Friday- don't worry though, I didn't have any meat!
DAY 4: Exmouth
Today, two girls from the group, Tonya and Emily were out the door by 7am to go Scuba diving and work on their certification. Tomorrow Jess Goodwin and I will get to go out to the reef, I can't wait! What we thought was a free continental breakfast actually cost us $9 for a bowl of dry cereal and a piece of toast. So glad they told us that upon check out. Ha, oh well.
Back to the Novotel Resort on day 4. It's Krysta's 21st birthday! After a days at the pool, we had a gourmet dinner that Sara and Jess prepared, consisting of chicken tacos and burrito bowls- delicious. And for dessert, chocolate cake! And the best part was the icing that Jess Bauer whipped together on the spot. It was a mix of strawberry jam a little sour cream, and sugar I believe. Sounds weird, but it was sooo good. And you know me, I won't pass up anything that is sweet and looks like dessert. After dinner we headed to Mass. It was the Easter Vigil Mass, so a little longer, but I'm glad we went and experienced the mass in a different country. Some of us were asked to do the readings too, so I got to participate!
Day 5: Muiron Islands
A bright and early morning as we headed out to scuba dive. The boat ride was an hour and a half, but plently of time to brush up on the details of diving, since I haven't been in 3 years!
This dive, with my buddy Jess Goodwin, would be dive #22 (1-21 in Bonaire) and the site was J.T. 80. We're a few weeks too early to see whale sharks, mom would probably be happy to know that :) After our first dive, one of the workers said I had so much oxygen left in my tank that I must be part fish with those lungs. I was extremely calm and could live down there if possible! We saw so many beautifully colored corals and fish and even a White tip reef shark- sweet! A sting ray too! We dove after a full moon, meaning the corals were full of eggs about to be released and so it looked like little tiny beads swaying with the current on each coral. It was fascinating! We dove twice on Sunday and lunch was also provided. It was a full day event and boy did it wear us out!
Today G got to go sharking with these guys he met at the pub and he caught some fish and a shark! He was so excited and probably glad to have a little break from all that estrogen he'd been surrounded by for the past 5 days!
Day 6: Exmouth to Freo
Up and adam at 5:30am so we could leave by 6am for the long 13 hour haul home. We made it out by 6:30, so not too bad. An hour into our drive home G got pulled over. We told him to cry, beacuse that's what girls in teh United States do to get out of tickets- ha. He didn't find that necessary. The traffic officer was on patrol for drunk drivers and so G had to take a breathalizer, but obviously passed! So we were on our way again and made it home by 8pm! What a great and relaxing weekend! I hope this little recap gave a slightly exciting image of everything I was doing! Now back to school for 10 days, and then it's Spring break!
Until next time,
Peace and love~
-Molly
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