I have never before done any traveling down to the Southern Hemisphere, but the weather here has definitely made a positive impact on me compared to the snow that is to found back in good ole' Idaho. Our first day here, we got off the train from the Brisbane Airport and walked the four blocks to a hostel that we will be staying in until the Monday morning of January 7th. Known as the Explorer's Club, I found it an appropriate name for the overall purpose of our trip.

Three years ago, I was a nervous sophomore frantically packing everything I could possibly need for a month in Australia.  Waves of excitement washed over me as I gathered field notebooks, snorkel gear, sunscreen, and shorts.