Nemo. Status: Found

6.3.2012

Sunday. Today was a beautiful day!

We left hotel at 7:00am and got to the dock at 7:45.  We would have been there sooner, but we had to dodge lots of Iron Man events that were going on. Trying to cross the street when waiting for breaks in the cyclist was a serious pain. Finally we got to dock. We got on the boat we were supposed to be on, and checked in, and after everyone had done so, we were on our way. The ride out to the reef takes about an hour and a half. It is 30 km east of port Douglas.

Once we got out there, it was so beautiful! We got our snorkel gear and our wetsuits on. And it was finally time to get in the water. We swam around and saw lots of fish. Beautifully colored fish. And so many types of coral. It was amazing. I saw a sea turtle too. Several of us all went in on renting an underwater camera, so we were able to take lots of pictures.

Eventually it was time for lunch, so we all had to get back in the boat. We then  drifted to a new site and went snorkeling again. At this site I saw 3 squid! Which was super cool! I also saw giant clams, like the kinds you see in cartoons! While we were there we had to be mindful of the waves and currents. They were really strong and if you weren’t careful, you would be tossed right into the reef. Some of the coral is poisonous and can really hurt you. Some of the girls I was with did get scrapped up a bit. I managed to avoid being scathed. 

I think the coolest part of the reef was, if you were really quiet, you could hear the fish eating off of the coral. Just a little, * crunch* *crunch* It was so cute!

Then it was time to head back. Another 1.5 hours back to cairns. We got back to port, and all decided to split up and do our own things for dinner. I like this better than trying to coordinate 17 people. I walked around with Katie, Lindsey and Jenae.

After a few hours of this we headed back to hotel. We were just going to stop in at Dominos with Emily and Kristen to pick up some pizzas. But not before we stumbled into a tattoo and piercing parlor called Ink. Ur. Bod. (That’s how you know it is a quality place). This is where Lindsey, Katie and I all got our noses pierced by a burly, sulky man, named Tarence. At least I think that was his name. He kind of mumbled a lot and I was kind of scared to ask him his name again. He was really funny, in the, “I really wish these 3 annoying American girls weren’t here to make me do stuff” kind of way. I think he was American too, at least his mumbles seemed to lack any trace of Aussie accent. But he didn’t seem like one for chatting about where he was from, so I didn’t ask.

Katie went first, then Lindsey, then me. I didn’t watch them get theirs done. Which was probably for the best. Apparently they both went white and had to lay down. And Sulky Tattoo man had to get them damp wash clothes to put on their foreheads and give them a sucker. It was actually kind of cute to see this guy try to be a care taker. Then it was my turn, and at this point I still wasn’t sure if I was doing it. But before I knew it I was on that back table all prepped and ready. (How did that happen?)

 He put the clamp on and then asked me “how’s that?” And to be honest, I could hardly feel the clamp. So I naturally asked “Is it clamped?” So then he was giving me a hard time for being a tough chick because I couldn’t feel the clamp.

I was hoping that the other girls were right when they said that the clamp was the worst part. False. He then proceeded with the needle, which, well let’s just say, it did not feel good. I swear I felt it going through every layer of skin, cartilage, and whatever else is in there. Sulky Tattoo Guy’s face didn’t help at all. He was pulling his face in all sorts of weird directions trying to manipulate my nose to do what he wanted it to. I think if he could have put is leg up on the table to get some leverage he would have. And then it bled. A lot. Sulky Tattoo guy seemed to get a bit too much enjoyment out of that fact. He gave me a paper towel and said, “Hold that under your nose,”

“Like a mustache?” I said.

At this, for whatever reason, he started cracking up. Okay Sulky Tattoo guy, I would have pegged you for a dark, inappropriate, sexual or drug reference humor kind of guy. Turns out a good mustache zinger will suffice. For those of you who still don’t believe me, here is the saga in picture form*:

*Please note: I had been in salt water all day, so I look pretty gross. Ignore that and focus on the cool part of Sulky Tattoo Guy jabbing a needle through my nose:

Clamp

Needle

Pain. *If it looks like I'm crying, it's because I am.

Blood.

Sulky Tattoo Guy.

So yeah. Sorry mom.  I have a new addition to my face. I don’t know how long I will keep it, but for now, I like it. After that went to dominos, picked up several pizzas and took then back to the hotel and ate there. We were all really hungry after a long day in the water. We hung out and ate. Watched movies on TV, then went to bed. It had been a long, exciting, and at one point rather painful day. Time for bed, early flight tomorrow.