Close Encounters of the Australian Kind

Days before I moved to Australia with my Australian husband, there was a show on TV that caught my eye " The 10 most deadly creatures in the world- I jokingly said that if all ten came from Australia then I was definitely not going. Little did I know that I would have to thank the South American Tree Frog for being the one creature out of the top ten to NOT live in Australia and so here I am!

My first encounter with a local arachnid came late one night when I wondered why there was a large frog shaped thing on the wall by the light switch as big as my hand. It all became clear when the light was switched on as it turned out to be a Huntsman Spider that got the shock of its life as much as I did and reared up on its hind legs and jumped at me , just missing my head and scampered away as fast as I did but in the opposite direction . These spiders, I later found out are not harmful, in fact, its good ,apparently, to have one in your house to eat the blowies (Blue bottles flies). I never did find my uninvited guest again but hoped it had been as traumatized as I was and moved out. My Husband told me that a whole can of insect Spray wont kill the big ones (mine was medium size) and they often used to fall on him when he used to clean the family car under the car port If only he had told me about that BEFORE I moved half way across the world .

The waters seem no safer to me then the indoors. With the box jelly fish and killer whales, I am petrified to go anywhere near the ocean. Imagine the day I had when my husband decided we should go sailing in the Whitsundays, I was not keen on the idea but I reluctantly agreed.

Although I was scared, I must admit, it was breathtaking. Turtles were swimming in the shallow water and dolphins followed us into the deeper parts. From then on I become more confident and started to swim in the water.

The water is crystal clear, until a dark shadow appeared be coming closer. I ran so fast and was screaming so loud, only for my husband to point out, laughing, that I was not running from a shark but a clown fish. The size of a dinner plate, in my defense.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Before you travel to Australia for your next vacation, check out www.TropicalNorthQueensland.com.au. From port douglas accommodation and port douglas hotels to information on local events and travel guides. They have everything you will need for an exciting time.

by: Joseph Richards

Total views: 9 Word Count: 432 Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 Time: 3:38 AM - 1 comments

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