a beautiful start to a beautiful morning!

early morning wake up - got a chance to sort of see the end of the sunrise as i walked up to the esplanade. according to darren (flatmate that works the graveyard shift @ the kebab shop on the esplanade) the sunrises are absolutely gorgeous! he was right. went to pick him up from his work so that we could catch the bus. no ordinary bus though.

we arrived at our destination. everybody geared up and we jumped on the boat. we were going out on the reef just off of Yorkey's knob (yes, that's what the beach is really called). we were set. everyone went ahead of me as i was the lightest and they went by weight. it was my turn now. i sat down in excitement, not fearful as i had thought i would be. the boys on the boat were telling me how calm they were and that these people do this kinda thing all the time without worry. calmed me down. plus i had watched the others do it too and they were all good and back on the boat with me. i sat down and looked back at the 5 others that had already taken their turn. looked back at darren with a smile from ear to ear for the camera. we were off! the wind caught us and we seperated from the boat just like that. just me and the guy behind be, Mark i reckon was his name (but he didn't pronounce the 'r' in is name so i couldn't quite catch it. it was marks job to do the calculations and take care of me so i figured i'd chat with him as we continued to go higher and higher. we were PARASAILING over the GREAT barrier reef! SO GORGEOUS!!! i will never get tired of looking at it. i just sat there while the highly trained Mak err...Mark behind me worked diligently. i just enjoyed the view looking towards the coastline of yorkey's knob....yes...funny isn't it.

Mark (with no r) started counting..."5...4.3..2.1 GO!!"
"what? already?" i questioned?
"yeah mate. mark (with no r) replied calmly. "righteo, i'll count you off again. but you have to let go first. " pause "let go.....leeeeet go"
i took a deep breath...."okidoki smoki. let's do this sucker" i let go of my grip from my chair.
he counts again, "5..4.3..2..1!"
i leaned forward and looked directly down at the great barrier reef! i plummeted 150 meters toward the ocean. i was doing a parabungy towards the ocean!!! don't reckon i got too close to the water though. holy friggin goodness! that was a great feeling! on the rebound I leaned back and viewed the reef upside down. just tried to soak it all in. the different shades of blue and green are so amazing. i just completed a PARABUNGY. you start off parasailing (sorta) and then jump off your chair over the water 150meters! the only thing keeping you safe is the rope attached to your waist!

now mum, as promised, i have not done another bungy jump off the 50 metre tower in the rainforest. i know my first jump scared you so i have not done it again. but this one....this was the motherload! this one is completely different. there was no tower and it was over water...not in the rainforest. completely different. completely different feeling as well. i was calm and not nervous. i had booked it in advance by a week so i had the whole week to shit myself. by the time i did it...i was fine. no worries matey!

the best bit....it was free! i mentioned to my boss that i wanted to book for the PARABUNGY and do you know what my boss said?
'well, squizzzy lizzzy, since you've been doing such a great job, i'm gonna pay for you."
i nearly fainted in the street.
this type of jump normally costs people $200, locals pay $130 (which is what i am now - aaaaa local!) but i got mine for FRIGGIN FREE!!!!

and mum...i did this last friday before i called you so i am okay. no wooooorrries! you heard my voice and i was fine, yeah?
love you!!!