ozobel

I had lost track of time, I just wasn't paying attention, someone mentioned yesterday that it was the 24th of Jan and I realised I've been away from home for over a year now and my return ticket and travel insurance has expired (almost 2 weeks ago). I knew this was going to happen at some stage but didn't expect it to happen so suddenly. It looks as if I've burnt my bridges, but who needs bridges when you can dive! Speaking of which I saw a Maori Wrase when I was diving yesterday, they are those huge dopey looking fish with a lumpy head, I also saw a huge giant turtle and followed him around for ages.
I did a bit of exploring around the area on my day off the other day, I went to the tablelands with a few of the guys from the hostel. We saw about 5 beautiful waterfalls and two lakes. At Lake Eachly we went swimming with the turtles (just little turtles) which was great. It was nice to get out of Cairns for the day.
I'm in the process of uploading some photos it seems to be taking forever but it's a lazy sunday and I've the day off so I don't mind using the time to catch up on a few e-mails and update my blog. Here's the most recent phots from Cairns anyway, hope you like them and here's a few snaps from my last days in Sydney which cover all things from Julies birthday to Christmas, New Year and my last few days in Sydney. As usual there will also be a link to these from My Photo Page enjoy!

Another lovely day in paradise
I have settled into the most enviable lifestyle here in Cairns, it's easy to see how a person can opt out of the rat race and loose themselves in the parallel universe of the reef. I come back for the reef every day with the biggest smile on my face after exploring the coral and meeting up with all the different sea life such as sting rays, sharks, turtles and giant clams. I have decided to stick around for a while to improve my diving and get my certificates, perhaps even to become the new dive master on the boat. I've got a waiting job in a Greek tavern to supplement my new lifestyle, I also get fed there which means that I don't have to survive on the free hostel food in the local backpacker bar 'The Woolshed' (also known at 'The Meat Market").

Diving the Great Barrier Reef.......everyday!
Well I started my new job yesterday and it is the best dream job ever. I sit around catching the sun on the catamaran chatting away to people all morning. When we reach the Reef I take a few people out for a snorkle pointing out the different types of coral and sea life. I went for my first dive yesterday, it was amazing, we dived shark alley, I saw so many brightly coloured fish and coral formations, the feeling of weightlessness is unbelievable. My new office is the most beautiful in the world! After lunch we swim to a sandy Island for more snorkling and relaxing and then head back to shore ready for sleep. I can't wait to go back to work again tomorrow.

Cairns
Well I survived my first christmas on the beach, it was very strange to be in the sunshine and to be away from my family but I had a great day with Maura, Claire and Liz anyway. Hash an Janette even arrived back to Sydney on time for christmas dinks and we all spent New Years eve together overlooking the city fireworks from Balmaine. The fireworks were the greatest I've ever seen and there were loads of sailing boats lit up around the harbour adding to the magic.
I flew to Cairns a few days ago and it's so hot here, yesterday it was 38 and I was out on a Catamaran snorkling the great barrier reef. I had sort of planned to travel straight from Cairns down the coast to see the Whitsundays and Frazier Island but I've been asked to stay and work on the dive boat for a while in exchange for food and learning to dive. It sound like a good plan, all I have to do now is try to find some free accomodation and a big bottle of aftersun.