For spring break students were treated to a vacation in Cairns. We were there for six adventure filled days. The trip involved going to Hartleys Crocodile Farm, exploring Trinity Beach, and seeing waterfalls in the area. All of these adventures were extremely exciting, however, the one I found most exciting was scuba diving. This was the first day I was able to put my scuba certification to good use. In my first certified dive, I had the opportunity to explore one of the best dive sites along the Great Barrier Reef. What amazed me the most about the dive was not the vibrant animals swimming beneath the surface. It was the aquatic forest that striked me the most. Boulders of yellow and blue coral perfectly scattered across the bottom of the ocean. We did most of the dive around 14 meters deep and you could see the rays of sunlight stretching to reach the bottom. Among the coral reef rested a thin canyon barely wide enough to allow a person to squeeze through. When the guide hinted at all of us to dive through it, my heart was pounding on my chest. I took a deep breath, acknowledged that I would not regret it if I went through it, and committed to swimming through the sea trail lined by underwater rock. Lining both sides of the rock walls were fish pecking away at coral, radiating colors, and short pieces of seaweed flowing as if there was a light breeze. To add a cherry on top of this wonderful experience, at the beginning of the dive we found a crop of anemone with clownfish weaving through the individual strands. The site provided a great photo opportunity which will allowed for a great memory, but more importantly, allowed me to prove to my little brother that I went scuba diving.
(Photo Taken From Great Barrier Reef Dive Site, 3/9/2025)
After the spring break trip to Cairns, we departed for our home for the next 2 months. Immediately upon arrival I was impressed. Ever since I was a kid I have been obsessed with technology. Whether it was researching news relating to the next release of iPhones or more recently, researching sports technology companies for an internship, I have always been intrigued by new and innovative technology. This explains why right when I entered the airport I was impressed. The airport and the city better utilize technology to improve the efficiency of everyday life. Technology is also being used here to help improve the scenery to provide a clean and lively atmosphere. In terms of technology I have been nothing short of impressed with this city. In terms of aesthetics, another thing I have noticed is the city is both extremely clean and filled with plants. Yesterday, the 16th of March, David and I went for a run along the Singapore River. The run did not only provide scenic views of beautiful bridges and shops, but also proved the healthy state of the city. A wide variety of plants line the sidewalks and there are gardens and parks placed among the city. This further adds to the emphasis on cleanliness in the city as the plants add a ‘healthy’ energy to the area. Additionally, like Bondi beach, there is not a scrap of trash anywhere. I think that this is extremely impressive and cities across the world should aspire to provide the same clean atmosphere.
(Photo Taken From Singapore River, 3/16/2025)