I truly expected this week to be a "hell week" because I had a 1,500 word essay, a 1,000 word essay, and two assignments due. Strangely enough, instead of my usual procrastination I managed to get it all done by Tuesday afternoon (March 18) even though the essays weren't due until Thursday (tomorrow). This coming weekend is Easter weekend, and the week following it we have a break from classes. Kristin, Michael, myself, and 32 other international students are going on the Northwest Trip during our 10 days off starting Friday March 21st at 7:45am. We're going to be on a bus and camping up into the NW outback then coming back south along the coast. I have an itinerary that I seem to have misplaced so as soon as I find it (hopefully tomorrow considering I leave on Friday) I'll edit this blog entry and add it in so y'all can see what I'll be up to for the next 10 days. I actually wrote out a nice blog earlier and then stupidly forgot to submit it as I was rummaging around for the itinerary, somehow the window had closed. It said it had saved a draft of what I had written and all it had saved was a random sentence that used to be in the middle of the draft and is now the first line in the blog. Weird. I think I had said stuff about St. Patrick's Day and forgetting that it was because I spent most of the day writing essays. But yes... fun. Today I finally got the package my mom sent quite some time ago, yay new shirts and posters to put on my blank white prison walls! So thats it for now, hopefully I find that itinerary and post it later, if not I'll update in 11 days!

So I got the itinerary! Here it goes:
March 21:
8am depart Perth and travel north through the Darling Ranges to New Norcia stopping for refreshments and then traveling on through sheep station country to our overnight stay at Wogarno Station. (Overnight - Wogarno Station)

March 22:
8am Travel through the gold mining areas of Cue and Meekatharra on our way to Newman Caravan Park where we set up our tents for the night, enjoying the hospitality of the locals, a whole day of travel on the bus. (Overnight - Newman)

March 23:
8am We are off again still traveling north to Newman where the largest open pit iron ore mine is situated. We then travel to Karajini National Park where we set up our camp and explore, and if time permits, a swim in teh Fortescue River. A night under the stars. (Overnight - Karajini National Park)

March 24:
8am Today is spent exploring Karajini National Park, including highlights such as Weano and Hancock Gorges, Handrail Pool, Joffre Falls, the Aboriginal cultural centre and Dales Gorge, before another evening under the outback stars. (Overnight - Karajini National Park)

March 25:
7am An early rise this morning sees us traveling from the Hamersley Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, to the iron ore-mining town of Tom Price. Here we can do some shopping and then travel to Coral Bay. (Overnight - Coral Bay)

March 26:
8am Today is an unforgettable visit to Coral Bay, spending the day swimming, snorkeling or just laying on the white coral sands of the Ningaloo Reef, an optional dive is a must for all scuba divers or take an optional glass bottom boat cruise or a quad bike safari. (Overnight - Coral Bay)

March 27:
7am Depart Coral Bay and travel south to Carnarvon, sub tropical fruit growing area looking at Western Australia's largest river, the Gascoyne. After refreshments we continue south to the World Heritage Region of Shark Bay, stopping to view the Stromatolites and onto our nights stay at the Hamelin Pool. (Overnight - Hamelin Pool)

March 28:
7am Early starts sees us travel to Monkey Mia and visit the famous dolphins. The morning is spent on Monkey Mia beach or an optional cruise is available. The afternoon is spent visiting the fishing town of Denham, Eagle Bluff, and Shell Beach before returning to Hamelin Pool once again (Overnight - Hamelin Pool)

March 29:
7am Sadly we leave the World Heritage areas of Shark Bay today and explore the Murchison River Gorge and Kalbarri National Park and coastal scenery, including a couple of hikes. Last night of our adventure and that means "Talent Show" let's see what you've got! (Overnight - Lynton Station - Northampton)

March 30:
7am We pack up camp and travel back home to Perth, arriving at approximately 6pm.

So there you have it! Man that was a lot of typing. Now I'm off to bed.