Off to the Great Barrier Reef!!

Heyyyy,

So it's 11pm and I'm about to hit the sack because I have to wake up at 5am to catch my plane to Cairns tomorrow for my 5-day trip to the Great Barrier Reef! I'm going with 4 other girls (emily, becca, laura and kate) and we are all SO excited! The weather is not looking too fantastic...it actually says scattered thunderstorms every day that we're there...but we're going to keep our fingers crossed that they are super scattered and don't ruin our snorkeling adventure!

I'm not bringing my computer on the trip and I'm not sure if I'll have any computer access while I'm there, so this may be my last entry for a little bit. I know you'll miss me but you'll survive :)

Today we were supposed to go to Palm beach, but the plans got a little mixed up and we moved that trip to next weekend! Instead, we went to Manly beach which is across the harbor, so we had to take a ferry to get there. It is a beautiful beach and the water was SO warm that I just wanted to stay in it for hours...but I started to get kind of pruney so then I dried off and went for another running adventure. This time was just as beautiful and wonderful as the last one...I still can't get over the scenery as I run all along the coast and up and down cliffs. I don't think I'll ever be able to run on a treadmill again!

After my run we played some frisbee, relaxed in the sun, and just enjoyed another fabulous day in the life of australian study abroad students! You may be wondering if I'm really studying abroad or if I'm just on vacation...I would be wondering the same thing! University of Sydney doesn't start classes until March 2nd because the students are still on their summer break. It has been so nice to have this week and next week to get acclimated and have the opportunity to travel and get all the touristy things we want to do out of the way before settling in and actually getting some studying done! So although I am having the vacation of a lifetime right now...there will come a time where I'll become a student again (how sad!)

That's about all I have for now...my camera was being funky today so I don't have any pictures from the beach. Don't worry though, I fixed the problem and will be taking LOTS of photos at the reef!! I miss and love you all and will update you on my GBR experience when I get back friday morning!!

SO MUCH LOVE,
Lauren