Shark Cuddling and Sand Boarding

Yes, you read that correctly. "Shark Cuddling and Sand Boarding" was the activity on the agenda yesterday.

"How does one cuddle a shark?" you may ask. In waders, of course! It turns out that Australian rescue sharks at the Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre love to swim around you, brush against you, and of course, eat prawns from you. One particular shark, who I believe was named Priscilla, particularly loved to cuddle with me. She was so friendly and gentle, nothing like what you would expect of the typical shark, that is, if you haven't been around sharks up close.

One thing our group (international students from UON) learned while at the centre was that sharks only aim to attack people because we look like animals they would eat. Think about it--if you were on a surfboard with arms and legs hanging off, you'd look particularly like a sea turtle. If you wore a jet-black and sleek wet suit, you'd look like a seal. Sharks don't want to eat people...we apparently taste bad.

For the record, I did not get pictures with the real Priscilla. Cameras and water don't tend to mix well, especially with sharks and rays splashing about.

 Now, you may wonder, "What in the world is sand-boarding?" Fear not, I have even more answers for you!

Just outside of Newcastle is a place called Anna Bay, and it is home to the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. This is in Australia, of course, so what did the Australians decide to do on these dunes? Ride them!

There are two ways to sand board-standing and sitting. I wish I could say that I was coordinated enough to ride standing, but alas, that is not one of my gifts. So, I rode sitting. It. Was. So. Fast.

Riding down was a blast, nonetheless, but when you go down a hill, there is that small detail of climbing back up. And this particular hill was made of (you guessed it!) SAND.


The hill was worth it, though, because the views were incredible. It honestly didn't look real.


After a long and tiring afternoon of boarding, we made our way back to the bay, home to yet another amazing view--waves along the edge of the dunes.

 I share these last two pictures out of general interest for all of you Americans. We toured a brewery at the end of the day (Aussie drinking age is 18), and it is currently American Beer Month. Festivities are to include "finger-lickin USA food" and Elvis impersonators, along with plenty of obnoxious Fourth of July decor. Great.

Then, on the right is a pic of my first-ever kangaroo sighting! Yippee!

     All in all, it made for a wonderful day.