Yesterday instead of coming to terms with my academic responsibilities, I decided to jump on a boat with 80 other exchange students and sail out to Lamma island.
In retrospect, it was a really awesome day, but I'm regretting it now for the sole fact that I can't move my extremities without pain.
We started the day with an early wakeup, running to catch the group as we were late (as always) and buying mountains of junk food and beer at the grocery store. At 9:30, 80 pirate dressed Gweilos headed off to TST pier number 3 to meet our boats.
We got to the peer, and the first boat holding 40 people was loaded and off. We waited about 10 minutes for the second one (which was much better) and started following them out to Lamma island. The ride out was quick, as we were all in good sprits and couldn't stand because of the rocking.
After about a 1.5 hour journey, we finally caught up to the other boat, and everyone started taking off their clothes to go swim... but when we looked down, we discovered the water was boiling with jellyfish - some with 2M long tentacles.
The entire day was spent avoiding them, though I'd say most people got a sting.
We climbed up on the highest point of our boat, and people started to jump. After I realized the water was safe from being stung (for now) I grabbed my friend Francesca, and we jumped. I remember thinking halfway down (wow, this is higher than I thought, I thought we'd have hit the water by now).
The water was actually incredibly nice - cool and refreshing, and the day was hot and humid.
The rest of the day was spent with random pirate themed adventures, like noodle fighting, dancing in the pouring rain, penguin dives and trying to surf a rescue board.
Among my favorite moments were:
- Swimming out to a rock far away from the boat, dodging jellyfish with Alexis the whole time
- Getting revenge on those who pushed me in
- Watching the face of the girl who pushed me in when I lied and said "my cell phone is in my pocket"
- Celebrating 420 with good friends
- Running off the un-covered boat to avoid the rain, running back onto it to join those dancing in it
It was a really fantastic day, and I now have the worst sunburn I've ever had in my life. It hurts to do anything, even smile. We just went out and bought some Aloe vera, so hopefully I'll start coping soon, but dear lord do I ever want to be put into a chemical coma right now...