Day 11 - 10,000 feet and still goin' up

Am I still in Sydney? It's raining again??? Yikes! I actually enjoy the rain though because it's a warm rain. I don't know if I was hoping that the rain would cancel our sky diving or not!

Hannah, Ivan, Elia, Stephen, Emma and me piled into the bus to go to the skydiving office to sign our lives away. Mom and Dad, you won't be able to live on my life insurance money, but you are my beneficiaries.

We drove to the airport and got into a very small plane and we're off. The entire adventure was recorded and burned onto CD, including the gearing up and the landing.

We're at 14,000 feet now and it's GO time. The door slid open and Ivan was the first to go. That's when I started to wonder "What am I doing?" My turn! I was strapped tightly to my instructor, Sinno, and then suddenly - head back, arms crossed and Oh my Gawd! I'm flying. This is exhilirating. The wind was unbelievable and my ears were hurting, but all I can say is WOW!. Sinno spun us around 360 degrees and I almost lost my breakfast; then left, then right. AWESOME! Then, a minute later, the parachute came out - I feel relieved now. We sailed down to the beach and landed. WOW, what an experience. If you ever have the chance to spend alot of money to go skydiving, don't just think about it, DO IT!

We all got back into the van and headed towards Cairns, leaving Cassowary country and the rainforest. I fell asleep on the bus and when I woke up, I saw a sign saying Innisfail and then Edmonton Central District. I wasn't asleep that long was I??

We just arrived in Cairns. Meeting time -- 6:30 pm at the bar in the hostel. No more tents for me. Just a comfie bed from now until ???????

I went shopping and bought a new piece of carry-on luggage for all my purchases. My clothes are getting pretty wrinkly in the one I brought, so I had to buy new clothes to wear here ha. Unfortunately, I won't be able to wear them in Canada until May, if it's nice, but I will wear them over the next three days.

Tonight we're going to The Woolshed for a feast. This is my last night with the group so I intend on celebrating. I have met 13 friends from all over the world - Hannah, Emma, Stephen, James and Calum, all from the UK; Gaelle from France; Elia and Ivan from Croatia; Ross from Scotland with the dead sexy accent; Marie from the U.S., Rachael from St. Albert (country not necessary); Jolanda from Holland; and of course, Sarah, our fearless tour leader. My 12 days with them has been fabulous. We have bonded; confided; told stories; laughed; had fun, no, a gas; and watched out for each other. Paddy has been our second home for 12 days. I am hooked on travel and my next destination will be ???? after Las Vegas of course. I tried my hardest, but couldn't find a part 3 for my Cher outfit. I'll have to settle for Edmonton's finest.



Stay tuned for more of my travels in Cairns over the next four days until I come back to Canada.

Till then, Ta.