8/1/06 This was my birhtday and it was really wierd waking up to warm weather and also being away from home, family and friends! However, I was gonna have a wonderful day! This morning we were heading for the Great Barrier Reef and we had to go back to Shute's Harbour and then take a bigger boat to the Reef! The ride out to the reef took about 2 hours and it was really choppy and loads of the kids on t he boat were sick! When we arrived the sea became so gentle! Once on the stationed boat we got into our stinger suit, flippers and snorkles. We then jumped into the water and Binita had a panic attack cos she thought the fish were really close but it was the mask but after a while she was ok and we headed out further and it was so pretty. Later while we were having lunch there was a big black cloud looming so they got everyone out of the water and it really pissed it down! I guess I can't get away from the horrible weather even on the otherside of the world! After about 20 mins the weather cleared and people went back in but we went on the underwater sub so we could get closer to the reef! We headed back to Shute's Harbour about 3pm and the water was better! On arriving back at Long Island we went straight to the reception and there were loads of people from our group there and they all said happy birthday and one of the wierd guys did a dance for me but luckily I wasn't watching! I was so embarrassed! We then went to get ready for dinner and when we came out the whole group were sitting having drinks and they all said happy birthday and then they all started buying me drinks and I did get very tipsy! It was a very funny night, there were a load of people naked in the spa, and it wasnt anything to do with me I was chatting to someone beside the pool but it was funny, our tour rep then got in the pool and started posing in page 3 style pics it was so funny! I then sat on the beach and chilled it was a very wierd birthday but a good end to a different birthday! 9/1/06 I woke up at 8.30am after going to bed at 6am but I felt fine! All we did today was chill by the pool and by the beach! While the tide was out we found a dead jellyfish and we were told it was one of the deadliest type called a box jellyfish! Good thing it was dead! That evening we had a quick dinner and then went to sleep cos we were leaving about 7.30am the next morning!