Working with the sea turtles on Fitzroy Island was an amazing experience for me. I love all 7 species of sea turtles so volunteering for the Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center was awesome. We cleaned the filters as well as the tanks. We prepared the turtles meals along with feeding each one. Then we went around listening to the stories of each individual turtle.

After a great time with the staff and sea turtlesalt we snorkeled around the island and saw a sea turtle in their natural environment. The next day I experienced the veterinary clinic and how they run the back. Surgeries were done without IV catheters unless it was major. They do not run blood work for minor surgeries as well. With one of the castrations the doctor scrubbed his hands but did the surgery without gloves which was surprising to me.

After a day at the clinic I was done for the day. The next day I went to the rehabilitation center on land where they keep the really sick turtles and cared for them by cleaning the filters and pools along with feeding them their meals for the day. The next morning we set off to Harleys crocodile adventure where we got close encounters with crocodiles, wallabies, birds, kangarooso, and a cuddle with a koala bear. The experience was to die for.

Ever since landing the culture in Cairns has been not shocking but different. They drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. I was surprised by this. The food has also been different as in it seems that the food is healthier as well as fresh. The prices on items are very close to that of home but sometimes less which I am grateful for. The day I arrived was short due to an arrival time that was late so I was tired from all the travel. The next day we got together and explored the town. There are more people that walk here than drive which is a good thing. The driving is crazy though. They drive really fast and somewhat crazy.  We also met some of the workers from the Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center. After meeting with them we booked some tours for the weekend. The next day we went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef which was amazing. The crew was wonderful as well as the snorkeling. While snorkeling I saw a variety of colorful fish such as the rainbow parrot fish and I even caught a glimpse of a white tipped shark. After I wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef we came back to the northern greenhouse. The next day we had a tour through the fabulous landscapes up to Cape Tribulation. We stopped out Port Douglas where they were having a little market of sorts. Then we took time to hike some trails in the oldest rain forest in the world known as Diantree Forest. On our way back we cruised down a river to watch for some crocodiles which we only saw babies. The tour guide grabbed a snake right out of a tree which was pretty awesome. The boat ride down the river was cool and I loved the landscape that surrounded us. After that we took off to a gorge where we could swim if we wanted to but instead we looked around at the scenery. So far I have had the time of my life and can’t wait to help out with the sea turtles.