Great Barrier Reef

Yeah! Today was the day we are  going to swim at the Great Barrier Reef. First, we went on a submarine and we went under water it was a magnificent view. There were all kinds of multicolor fish,and coral.I saw a giant fish with blue skin. Also I saw huge amounts of seed weed. Then it was 1:00, time for lunch.

My family and I went to the buffet area and started dishing ourselves some food. They had chicken, rice and even more delicious food. After my family and got our snorkels, flippers and wet suits we jumped into the water.  My dad and sis swam longer then I did and they were lucky to see a fish named Wallie, and they got to pet it. On my swim I got to see coral, fish, and  lots of seed weed like in the submarine but it was so much cooler  because you got to see up close. I also got to see a jelly fish, man it was cool. When I was done I got some more food and then I got some Sprite and then went swimming again. The water felt cool and salty. When the whistle blew it was  time to go home so we returned our suits and went on the boat and rode it back home. I really liked the snorkeling trip and I hope you want to come to Australia and do this! 

ALL Around Sydney and the Blue Mountains

The past two weeks I was in Sydney, Australia. I went to the opera house, the botanical garden, and the governor's house. It was all quite fascinating.

The first day we were there, we started to get hungry. We took a walk to Darling Harbour and ate lunch at the food court in Harbourside. I  had a hamburger and fries. They were yummy and delectable. When we were done we we headed back to our hostel and took a two hour nap, really my brother and my mom did. When it was time for dinner my mom and brother were still sleeping. While they stayed sleeping, my dad, my sis and I walked to a Mexican restaurant. We all had tacos and chips. It was pretty good. After that we went to the supermarket to buy some food.  Then we went to our room and finally went to bed.

The next day we went to the famous opera house in Australia. It is famous for its shape - it looks like a bunch of triangles. We went inside and it was nice to take a cool break in the air conditioning and drink some water.

Next, my family and I went to the botanical garden.  It was breathtaking and really awesome. I got to see birds that I would never see in New Jersey and many different kinds of trees.  It was really cool. We walked around and we saw sage, lavender and other soothing plants in the Herb Garden. When we took a break we ate our sandwiches. They were okay.

When we were done eating we walked to the area for a tour in the governor of New South Wales' house. I was so excited to see the ballroom. The guide showed us pictures and rooms in the house. It was very fancy and pretty.

The next day my family and I took a train for two hours to get to Katumba to see the Blue Mountains. From the train station in Katumba we walked to our hostel and vegged till the morning.

That morning, we went to the Three Sisters' area and we hiked the giant stairway. It was a very tiring walk, plus it was hot and we were wearing backpacks. I was very exhausted and wanted to stop walking. But in the end it was very worth it. The view is something to die for. at this stop I only saw only one of the sisters.

Then we hiked to the cable car. We hopped on and while we were hanging high in the air, we saw all of the Three Sisters, plus a waterfall and a rainforest. It was really amazing and fascinating.

I had an amazing time in Sydney and the Blue Mountains!

The Playground, Zoo and Mossman Gorge

Hi everybody, these past days I went to a zoo, playground with a pool, and I learned about the aboriginals.

First I went to a neat playground that had a gigantic big bouncy thing, that my family and I went on. I jumped and hopped and skipped on it. Then I went to the jungle gym and I climbed to the tippy top and I could see the golf course. After that I climbed down and I did a cannonball in the pool. I swam breaststroke and freestyle until I was tired and then we all went home (that we rented in Cairns) and we vegged until we went to sleep.

The next day, my family and I went to the zoo. We saw freshwater crocodiles, lizards, koalas (I got to hold one), wallabies and kangaroos. Finally we got to see snakes. After that area we went to the bird area and saw different kinds of birds like a cockatoo, parrots and more unique birds. It was just fascinating and amazing. Going to the zoo was the coolest thing ever.

After the day of the zoo, My family and I drove to the town Mossman. We were heading to a place where you would hike and learn about what the original people did. We ate lunch first and then met our guide whose name was Matt. We rode a trolley to the entrance of the trail.

On our walk, Matt showed us many things like ceremonial place where they would get married and the place where their spirits went when they died. Also I learned that if women played a certain instrument (the didgeridoo) they would not be able to have children. I think that's just silly.

Well we walked and walked and heard a story about the animals and people. After that we swam in as stream for a little bit and then we headed back to where we started. When we got back, we ate bread and drank tea with milk and sugar. it was very tasty.

I had an amazing time at the pool, playground, the zoo and especially learning about the aboriginal people.

Horseback Riding and Snorkeling

It was a hot day in Montezuma. My family and I were going horseback riding across seven beaches to see one of the seven waterfalls that flow into the ocean.

We rode and rode. My horse was brown and its name was pequeño (that means small in Spanish). I loved my horse. Before I knew it we arrived at the waterfall. I was relieved - sometimes when I was riding the horse it felt like I was going to fall off.

The waterfall was refreshing and fun. We swam and ate cucumbers, carrots, and pineapple. The fruit here is amazing and really fresh. After we were done at the waterfall we rode back to Montezuma. When we were all done we went to a hotel in Cabuya to swim and eat lunch. I had fresca, a hamburger and fries. It was delectable. I enjoyed horseback riding a lot!

On Wednesday I went back to Montezuma to go snorkeling. We met the boat and motored to Tortuga Island where we swam and snorkeled. It was really cool. I saw blue, black and orange fish. I tried to swim in a school of fish but I ended up bumping into a fish. It was cute. I saw its face so close to mine. I also saw a starfish. Cool right? Then we went back on the boat and the captain drove the boat to another island for more snorkeling. It was amazing because you got to swim to a little beach.

After that we got on the boat to go to the bigger island for lunch. There was pineapple, watermelon, and the main course was potatoes, salad, choice of chicken, fish or veggies, and sodas. The food was great. The guide said we could look around and enjoy the store and the beach, so we did. Later we got back on the boat and went home.

It was a great day of snorkeling. After that we went out to pizza - YUMMY!

Waterfall in Montezuma!

Hi everybody!

Last adventure I told you about was going to Selvatura Park. Well now I'm going to tell you about my adventure in water. My family and I drove to Montezuma to go hike a waterfall trail. We saw birds and beaches right out our car window. When we got to the trail we headed to the entrance and began.

It took about 10 minutes to get to the waterfall. On the way there we had to climb sharp and slippery rocks. At some points we had to walk in the water because it was to dangerous to go on the slanted rocks. We took breaks from hiking and swam in the little pools in the stream. It felt really weird because the leaves on the bottom were gooey, mushy and uncomfortable. I was ready to hit the waterfall.

Then yes.....yes we have reached the waterfall! I was so excited but nervous. After 2 minutes I went in with my sister and dad. We jumped off the rocks next to the waterfall. It was the small jump. It was awesome! Then I saw the big jump - I felt queasy, but my sister wanted to go. First I was like no way. But then I pushed myself and we went to the rocks to climb.

We went to the rocks and I started climbing to the top. When we reached the top my dad jumped first and then my sister went. They made big splashes. When my sister was done I jumped! It felt like I broke through glass and a hundred gallons of water were pushing me down. When everyone was tired we started heading back. It was a really good day at the waterfall.

Selvatura Park in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Bump ba ti da! The road felt really bumpy and rocky as we were heading to Monteverde, Costa Rica to go to Selvatura Park. Where we were going to go zip lining/Tarzan swing, and the hanging bridges.

To get there we had to drive on a bumpy road. The feeling was not pleasant. The roads were dusty and our car was shifting to one side and then to the other side on the rocky hill. There were zipping trucks and motorcycles going more than 40 kilometers. It was frightening and uncomfortable, plus it was a hot day, combined with headaches= one big tiring car trip. We finally drove into Monteverde and stayed at a hotel.

The next day my dad drove us to Selvatura Park in a cloud forest. When we got there we put on sun screen and bug spray and we were on our way to the zip lining station. When we got there we got on our zip gear and headed to the practice run.The guides showed us how to do it. When everyone got it, we went to the first platform and then the second and then so on and so on. In total there was 15 platforms for zipping. On one of then I could see birds and the mountains. The mountains looked like the same ones in The Sound of Music. I loved going zip lining. Now the real fun begins with the Tarzan swıng.

After zip lining we had a optional decision to do the Tarzan swing. I had butterflies in my stomache but I pushed myself and I went. When I was done I wanted to go again!

Now it was time for the bridges. My family and I walked to the bridges. On each bridge we saw trees and birds, also lots of clouds. We were really high in the air. The bridge felt unsteady, but it was an amazing view. There were lots of flowers - it was beautiful. When we were done I thanked my parents for a wonderful time.

Costa Rica- My first stop!

Hello, I'm in Costa Rica. It is amazing!

I've been able to eat lots of yummy food like pineapple, mangos, pizza, chili, ice cream, oatmeal, cereal, shrimp spaghetti. It all was delectable.

We get to walk to the supermarket or supermarcardo to buy our food. It's different for me because we sometimes have to use colones (Costa Rican money) instead of dollars. And most people speak Spanish. We also can walk everywhere instead of driving - like to the beach, pool and stores.

Also there's wonderful nature around us like palm trees, squirrels, iguanas, and birds. Plus beautiful beaches. Our beach here has black sand! We went snorkeling and swimming there today.

It's so great that our good friends Rob and Judy are here with us. They been staying at a condo like us 2 minutes down the hill from us.

We walk into town, it takes about 15 minutes to get there. I used my Spanish to ask how much something cost and was able to buy new, purple sunglass.

I hope everyone is okay in New Jersey after the blizzard. I was relieved that I only had sun and no snow.

Each day my dad is giving my brother, sister, and me challenges that we earn points. I will soon be telling you much more about this! Stay tuned ...

Iguana Beach at Playa del Coco

Our swimming pool