G'day. I missed you! Did you miss me?
There was good news and bad news. The bad news was no access to internet. The good news was that for the past two days I've stayed in SINGLE ROOMS in real, live motels! And, these rooms had a nice size, kitchenettes, tea & biscuits, and PRIIIVACY. Ahh. I tell you, I do enjoy the social exploration and vigorous multi-cultural stimulation of the Youth Hostel. But, there are simply things one can do alone that one does not prefer to do with a room full of lasses and lads. One knows what I'm talking about. Let's just say that some bodily functions function better when one is alone. Or, at least if one is around family. Or... at least if one is around MY family. Enough of that. I refuse to spend the entire blog talking about bodily functions.
Except for the vomit. To get to Heron Island-- aka Paradise-- one needs to take a 2.25 hour boat ride in open waters 70 kms. Wow. I thought I could handle a boat ride, and this was a large, wide sea ferry-- seemed to be quite stable. But, just after turning the corner and heading out, the large waves set in.... and the bumps. and the bumps. and the... oh god, just typing it is making me queasy again. And, silly me, I ate an entire Mince Pie about 15 minutes before boarding. Newsflash: Sea Travel and Mince Pie do not a Match Make. I sat there disintegrating, turning the color of the ocean, arms shaking, dutifully taking my herbal tummy tincture. So, when the Mince Pie repeated, it had a pleasant Chamomile and Fennel flavor. Dear sweet jesus. I've never thrown up so much in a public place without alcohol in my entire life. And, while I'm retching, my approval-seeker is concerned about the mess. I begin double-bagging the puke, so that the bag won't break and stain the seat or that the woman who takes the bags won't have to hold the hot juicy Mince Pie in her hand. Here then, I'm trying to double bag, and of course the result of movement to reach for a second bag is to produce a second round of vomitus. uuuurraaauuhhhhllnnhhhaah..
Finally. After 2.25 hours and 70 kms, we arrive. To Paradise. Crystal clear blue green waters, shallow and ripply, bleached white sand, royal blue sky, warm winds.... aarrrrrrrr... Heron Island is not a Daytripper island. It is not a tourist destination. It is not large, nor is it populated. There are only two locations: one Public Resort and the Research Station (where I am staying, with the school group). The Research Station has the "good side" of the island, for the scientists.
I don't think I properly informed people (not even my family) about what I'm doing while Down Under. One reason I'm here is to fulfill a lifelong dream, yes. since I was 10 and heard there was a town called "Darwin" in Australia, I've wanted to visit. Through the years, this personal dream has extended into professional goals. Therefore, another reason is to research and develop future study abroad and travel programs. Australearn-- the place to which I keep referring-- is a company that offers and coordinates programs for college students to Australia, NZ, and Fiji. They also have Asialearn and Eurolearn-- they are expanding, even in this economic market-- and I believe that one of the reasons they are so successful is that they offer impeccable customer service. It is top rate. So, my goal is to run program(s) with Australearn and with other great companies with whom I've had the pleasure to investigate this year (see carpediemeducation.org and womanawake.org).
Why not just run a program through Landmark College? Ahh, there's the rub.
I had planned to run a program to Australia & NZ for Landmark College, where I've worked for 8 years. After 6 years of trying to offer one, the opportunity did not gel. So, I decided to segregate my personal and professional goals of Australia from my role at Landmark. And, to up the ante, I resigned from my position and left the college. Future endeavors also include writing (and hopefully publishing), and offering a range of Health and Wellness workshops, retreats, etc. I guess the word "consultant" might be appropriate, but I'm still making it up as I go along-- trying to hear the next steps in the zany plan. You can see the beginning of this (rough draft website) at susiecrowther.com
I told Australearn that I was not only a) unable to run a program at Landmark, but b) leaving Landmark. And, what did they do? Why, they said to come down anyway! They'd help design site visits to currently running programs, and they would create my itinerary. Which they DID! Down to booking accommodations and travel arrangements. And being here to support me the entire way. AND meeting me for dinner at the most amazing Japanese restaurant (with the awesome Egg Fu Yung pancake thingy [but there was the loud, whiny American woman, prattling on and on about some loud, whiny Thai woman... ironic... it was the oddest thing...])
So, that's how I ended up here with this college group at Heron Island-- visitng the Research Station at one of the remotest and extraordinary locations I will likely ever visit in my life. It is a chance of a lifetime, and I owe it all to Australearn.
People. Students, professors. Teachers. If you have any inkling whatsoever to travel abroad, I recommend Austalearn (astralearn.org) to the highest and fullest extent. Check em out.
But, enough about all that. Let's return to vomit and flatulence, shall we?
So, we arrive on, settle in to, and go for a walk around the island. Heron is SMALL-- about 1 km long, .5 km wide. The Research Station has access to its side and the resort has their side. No Crossies Oversies. Serious! (humans. sigh.) We walked about, seeing the flora, while professor Glen lectured as we went-- he's an awesome guide, very nice and knowledgeable. And, then we get to the beach.
Attention: This section is dedicated to my husband, Mark. Mark, whose dream was to be a Marine Biologist. To attend school at the University of Virgin Islands. And, instead, went to UVM. (Note to future parents: sometimes your 18 year-olds actually are making sense. Listen to them, occasionally.)
Mark, I truly wish I could astrally exchange locations with you-- for the week. You would be in heaven here. But, in your honor, I shall thoroughly notice and enjoy my experience.
So, we arrive at the beach. Again-- white sand, blue green waters, stunning views. But, there are places like this all over the world, eh? Heron's not about the most beautiful, biggest beaches. It's not about the warmest water or the shrieking Monkeys and stunning Mackaws.
But.
Well, it's like this: as Glen is showing us a few floral species and seeds on the beach, someone shouts-- SHARK! We all look toward the water, and sure enough: there is a shark right off the shore, not ten feet. A Lemon shark. He's just bopping along, and we all run toward the shore and of course scare him away. But, as we reach the end of the beach, we notice something else in the water... many large black circles on the floor of the sand.... can you guess? (Marine biologists? Mark?) They are sting rays, coming in for an evening meal. But, funny thing, turns out (hi Eleanor!) the sharks are coming in for their evening meal of sting ray. (Note: we were at Shark Beach, unbeknownst to me at the time.) So, while we're watching the sting rays, someone yet again shouts, "SHARK!" and we all look over and see two fins-- bit bigger this time. It's a Hammerhead! And, this guy is less concerned about our ruckus on the beach and more interested in the sting rays. Suddenly, he's flopping around on em, and his tail's crashing in the shallow waters, and this friggin SHARK is friggin EATING these freaking STING RAYS! OH. MY. GOD! It was so amazing.
So, we're all gaga at the shark and rays, and Glen (professor) says, "oh, yeeh, we're definitely gonna have to snorkel heeer tomorrow." See, he's that kind of professor. He says that, although technically a Hammerhead could eat a human, they are way more interested in sting ray. And, since thankfully none of us look or behave too much like a sting ray, we're all right in the water with em. So, Glen leans into the situations that have more apparent danger than real danger.
Still with me, Fran? Love you!
There's more to write, but it's time for dinner. I'll try to finish this blog tonight or soon.
Love to all.
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