Snorkeling!

I finally got to check something off my "to do" list..snorkling! OMG is all i have to say i thought the pictures and magazines were cool but it is no comparison from seeing it personally. i wont get ahead of myself tho and explain whats happened  the past couple days. On friday we went on an all day bus tour on a double decker bus throughout the city. it was once again another beautiful day and just spectacular. we got to see some tourist spots and go to the surrounding beaches while learning about the safety and rules here in aussie. ending the tour we went to this place called Crystal Cascade which is a fresh water stream/waterfall thing that we got to jump off cliffs (did it) swim in the river, drink the water, and walk across rocks to act all adventourous. it was really quite a site and i will definetly be going back because i was not able to jump off the 40 foot cliff entitled "no fear" so i will be back. today, saturday, we took a boat out to Green Island and got snorkel gear and was set free! we really had no instructions but just directed where to go to see the prettiest reefs and coral. the island is not directly part of the great barrier reef but the coral leads into it so it looks exactly like the reef. while on the boat we got the option to buying "stinger suits" which protects you from jellyfish. i have been hearing alot about the jellys and everyone says they are so deadly and this is the prime season but i just wanted to live life dangerously and decided not to get one (saved myself 8 bucks!) so while snorkeling i got to see beautiful fish, amazing coral, SEA TURTLES, and many other things that i cant even name. i even found dory and nemo! many and many of them actually. i was kinda paranoid the entire time about jellys and there was only 3 of us who did not get suits out of a group of 40 and of course i was one of them so i was pressing my limits (i can just picture my dad saying "thats my girl!). seeing the images and being in the prime blue water was just breathtaking and so unreal. i think it really hit me that i was actually in australia at this point cuz i knew i would never be able to see these images back at home. after snorkeling for about 2 hours we got out and walked around the island to just be more amazed with the sites. on our walk back to the beach we saw 2 helicopters come and were kinda wondering what was happening but didnt really think much of it. upon walking to lunch we were informed that a lady was stung by the deadliest jelly and was rushed to the ER cuz once you get stung by this kind you have less than an hour to get hooked up to IVs and such before it takes complete control of the bloodstream and kills you. needless to say i risked my life to the fulliest today and the good lord was looking after me and allowing me to get out of the water safely. after this occurred they closed the beach down in hopes of not having it happen again. luckily there was a pool that we got to swim in for awhile before we boarded our glassbottem boat. on here we got to venture out and see many more kinds of plant and animal life and was even more astonished. it is truely incredible what the water has to offer. after a day filled with sun, which every day seems to be thus far, we boarded the boat and returned to land. to say the least my mind was blown today and i cant wait to actually get to the reef and be able to scuba dive and see things even more closely. i get one more day of freedom tomorrow, sunday, and then classes/real life start on monday. no doubt the sun is hot as ever here as i currently have sun blisters and a bad reaction happening on my back even though i put 50 and 30 SPF on twice today. our american skin is just not made out for this! but its not stopping me baby im here for the long run! thats all for now, ill pick the best pictures to show. im pretty bummed that i dont have an underwater camera cuz it would be so cool to share those pics but just take my word for it! im one with the water now!
Peace and blessings :)