Townsville

Again, pictures later. Promise. 'Cause by God I trekked (hike just doesn't cover it) so TREKKED up this goat path to the top of Castel Hill where I got some amazing shots of the islands and coats and beaches. I about died on the way up, so there will be pictures!

Castle Hill was a look out point and part military point from WWII. Even has the old pill boxes set up. Anyway, it's only about a 1 km hike, but it's brutal. It's uphill (duh) and steep. As soon as i got done i walked back down and ducked inside this internet cafe to rest my feet. lol. But a lot of people RUN up the path as a form of excercise. And i mean, it's brutal, those people are in shape. Some of my friends went hiking witih me at natural bridge state park in kentucky, it was rough going uphill on the stairs and the worse one it hink was Devils Gulch, or gorge or some such. So... think that kind of steep climb, with just a little bit of a less steeper footpath breaking up the rock climb up. lol

Defenitly worked off that quarter pounder and cheese from yesterday.

But i've also been to Reef HQ. An aquarium dedicated to , the Great Barrier Reef, where i learned that SURPRISE! there are lots of things on the reef that can kill you. lol, just like the land part of Australia. But i was surprised to find that one of the sheels, a conch like dsheell, very small, can fit in your pocket, holds a muscle that shoots a "harpoon" attached to a venom sack. Thta's how it get's it's prey. Wow, neat. But some guy had picked one up recently, and placed it in his pcoket. He was found on the beach dead. The only way that anyone figured out what had happened was b/c they found this shell and creature in one of his pockets.

I also learned about the coral, and how to ID certain types. I hope i get to take a cheat sheet with me. As well as for the fish. But it was eye opening to learn about the history of the reef. HOw it was exploited commercially, and how it's been brought back and recovered, and the line of give and take they set to stabalize industry with conservationism.
(Me finally at the top!)
But for now, off to lunch, then catching athe ferry over to Magnetic Island. Going to do a lot more hiking, staying at a hostel on the beach, and working on my farmers tan.

ps. my typing seems so bad b/c this computer , the words only show up about 154 seconds after i type so i just keep going b/c they charge me by the minute. lol, those sneaky buggers.

also, the sun is back out. Making up for the past few days. Some of the clearest weather they've had in a long time. sweet.

ok, so you've noticed the pictures? good, check out the last three or so blogs for the pics posted there. :-)