Slash, I mean, Ryan is Frodo

So this past weekend was the Rainforest trip. I absolutely loved this trip. It was nice to get away from the beach and go hiking for awhile. I was in such a chill mood and just took in the whole atmosphere of the place. The views were so breathtaking. I can't believe how much we walked and how much fun I had.

While there we saw some Fire Trees (have spines, that attach to your skin and when you itch, embed themselves in the skin and the burning sensation lasts for oh, only 3-4 months), leeches (I had one attached to me and didn't even know it until Ryan pointed it out... I bled quite a bit and still have a mark), some paddy melons (sounds edible, but not really-- looks like a cross between a kangaroo and a mouse), some mullet things (lizards, but I didn't really pay attention to the name past the word mullet), more lizards, great flora, and some possums (late at night).

The first day we started off our hike and ended up walking through caves and such until we came to this huge waterfall, and guess what, we got to swim in it. The water was nausiatingly cold but it was so worth it. After drying off, we continued our hike and then headed back to the 4WD truck thing. After that, we went to feed some birds (red something or others) which was pretty neat (check out the pictures) slash scary because they would freak out and then the hundreds around you would fly away. At one point they all flew off and scared me so bad I ducked in tornado drill position. Only Joel, our tour guide, saw me but he got a kick out of it. Then, directly after the bird feeding, we went to see the glow worms. For all we know it could have been a cave made out of a Lite Bright set with the only really glow worm in a little display case on the side. But hey, I'll take the old dude's word on it and appreciate how pretty the "glow worms" were. Btw, did anyone else have a glow worm doll? That thing was so cool. By far my favorite toy, you squeezed it and it's face lit up: hours of entertainment as a child--- may I remind you, I was also the child who's favorite game was "toilet," where I spun around in my grandmother's living room and looked at the floor like I was going down the toilet and then fell down. But I digress...

After all the hiking and exploring and leech picking off, we set up camp and ate dinner (and by set up camp, I mean made our beds and started a fire). We drank a bit and played some games. It was nice to have such an intimate setting with such a small group on a trip like this.

The next day we went hiking again... sounds monotonous, but I can't even explain how gorgeous it was. Plus, Ryan kept grabbing walking sticks and goofing around like he was a hobbit or something (must see photos) which kept me entertained. We climbed onto volcanic rock and ash and then continued on our hike. On the way back, I ran ahead so that I could just get a silent experience of the rainforest. When you're walking with so many people, it's so easy to get caught up in a conversation and forget to fully appreciate what is going on around you. It was also hard to take in everything because there were so many roots in the path, but I got in as much as possible. After that, we headed back for lunch and then one more hike. At the end of this hike was the fly fox. I was a bit skeptical about doing this for two reasons a. I probably would have found it more thrilling if I had not already gone skydiving and b. before I even got into my harness, I stabbed myself with a waterbottle... yes a waterbottle... if I could make myself bleed from a waterbottle, how was I supposed to be trusted to set up my own harness and then attach it to a line and go head first into a clearing?? But I did it, it was alot more fun then I expected, I would totally do it again... if it were free.

Oh, lest I not mention, Kurt and I saw this hot man while we were waiting for our turn and thought up some pickup lines (mind you we're in some goofy ass helmets and a harness):
1. I can get a lot rougher with this helmet on
2. Got anything I can harness myself up to?
3. This harness looks good on me now, imagine how it'll look on your floor
4. Wanna see if this harness is built for two?
And my favorite...
5. My harness is crotchless

After all of that we hiked back and then drove back to Bond. It really was such a short trip but it felt like we were gone quite a long time. Definitely worth every penny!! Can't wait to see everyone else's pictures!

ps- Johanna, I don't think you read this, but I had to include that in the title. Love ya mean it. haha.