Cairns 2007 - Blog

5th Oct 07 - 1st Day in Cairns

13:00 - Well after 27 hours of flying we have eventually arrived in Cairns Lakes Resort apartment number 1115. You all maybe thinking why the hell am I updating this now…….well after 27 hours of flying and trolley dollies cracking crap jokes  all we need is a few relaxing hours on our private balcony overlooking the rainforest. Its currently 28 degree’s and not a cloud in sight. Flights went quite well no major delays only a one hour delay from Manchester to London however we caught the earlier flight and only had 2 hours wait in London Heathrow. Had a nice message from James’s sister while in Bangkok airport to inform us that Joe and Laura in New Zealand have got a new baby girl. - That’s all to report signing out. - Ade.

6th Oct - Relaxing Day?

Went for a walk round the Gondwanan Gardens this morning (yes, I have spelled it right - it’s right next to the resort that we are staying in and forms the backdrop from our balcony). It has been very hot today, but very enjoyable. You walk round Workington and see pigeons. You walk round Queensland in Australia and see Fruit Bats,  Kookaburra’s, Brush Turkey’s, Pelican’s, Crocodiles, etc and see all the colours of the local flora and fauna, and hearing the different sounds of the rain forest. The best part of the walk it was free! After 4 hours of trailing and blisters with these bloody flip flops (should know better), we went into Cairns (on the resort transfer bus), for a look round the shops. There was a local market on and James wanted an Australian opal that was $500.00 and no he didn't get it. He did however get a selection of opalised rocks in a jar that was considerable amount cheaper.

Can I just say how bad I feel sitting on our balcony writing this while I sip my Vodka & Coke……. :-)

Really not looking forward to jumping out of a plane tomorrow (and there is not enough vodka left in freezer) - Stay tuned for the next instalment, its bound to be a pearler - Ade.

2145 (Cairns Time) - Just got back from having a meal at Bayleaf Restaurant. We called in last night, but it was fully booked, so we booked it on our way home from our evening stroll along the Esplanade. We didn't realise when we booked it, but it was a Balinese restaurant. Was a new experience. I had a mixed sate kebab followed by beef in coconut, and Ade had Calamari salad starter followed by Mixed seafood in yellow coconut milk. Service and presentation were fantastic. Food was as good! (Also had a few Champagne cocktails and a few more Crown Lager’s …. Mmmmm). Looking forward to tomorrow - will post video as soon as I have edited it - are you ready???   :-D. Going back to my vodka now - James.

PS Guess who got sunburned - see mobile 1 page.

7th Oct - Skydive onto Mission Beach

Well I managed it, screamed like a girl all the way down but made it. Couldn’t believe the bloody plane, that was the scariest bit it had a plastic sliding window for gods sake. Nearly bottled it when the instructor shuffled me to the edge of the planes exit, but though what the hell. We collect the dvd’s on Tuesday so after I have seen it I might let James put it on the web site cause the instructor wouldn't stop laughing at it but wouldn't let me see. Never Again! Im knackered so off to bed. - Ade

What a fantastic experience! The adrenalin rush was intense. However, my eye’s were closed most of the 60 seconds of freefall because my goggles came off as I jumped out of the plane. My instructor (Ronnie) was a bit, no, was extremely insane. This made it all the more enjoyable. I wanted to go again, but finances wouldn't let me (but as we are both Student Members of the Australian Parachute Federation, we can go anytime). Was quite funny after the jump, because Ade’s instructor (Sinno) couldn’t look at him without laughing because he said Ade ‘screamed like a girl’ (the video will tell all). I will be putting snippets of the video and some photo’s online as soon as we have picked up the dvd’s. - James

Website: http://www.xtremeskydiving.com.au/

8th Oct - Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

 WOW! I now want to learn to Scuba Dive and Solo Skydive now (and to fly a plane) - it’s just getting better and better as each day passes! We had our 20 minute intro dive at Oyster Reef, and enjoyed it that much, we booked a second 30 minute dive when we got to Upolu Cay. We seen loads of marine life (obviously), but more spectacular than anything else, we saw an 8 foot stingray laying under a reef ledge. For a non swimmer, I found the dive amazing, and our scuba instructor was very helpful in all he did for us during our 2 dives. Would recommend going with Ocean Spirit to anyone! Just chilling on our balcony now with a vodka and pizza. - James (getting slightly pink now!)

Website: http://www.greatbarrierreefinfo.com/tour/Sailing/315/

9th Oct - Travelling up north with hire car.

Collected the hire car this morning (bright yellow Hyundai Getz) and drove up to Kurranda which has a aboriginal market, then headed north to Hartleys crocodile park.

10th Oct - 4WD Rainforest Safari

Had a real enjoyable day on the trip only 10 people and all English speaking. We covered most of the tableland areas around Cairns driving round the old logging tracks in a 4WD vehicle, that the guide had a permit for, some of the views were amazing. It was really strange to see the eco layer where the bush stopped and the rainforest began, we were talking a matter of feet. Never saw the elusive Cassowary but managed to come across a red bellied back snake (very deadly), turtles, many birds, pretty faced wallabies, grey kangaroos and a 3 metre Monitor lizard. The guide Mike was very knowledgeable about the plants and we came across the most deadliest plant in Oz, the stinging tree. If you brush up against this you will feel pain for up to 6 weeks with the silicon hairs that will be embedded into your skin. The trip lasted for 10 hours and was non stop with plenty of walks. Highly recommended tour - Ade

Website: http://www.cairnsinfo.com/tour/Rainforest/215/

11th Oct - Search for the Elusive Cassowary

Well I was determined to seek out the Cassowary so we hired a car (Hyundai Accent - still bright yellow), and headed off up north to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree rainforrest. We stopped off at Mossman Gorge which has a 2.4Km walkway through the rainforest. After about 30ft in a tree snake slithered right in front of us. We stepped back and let it go on its way. We later found out that it is harmless but you can never be to sure in there. Had a nice walk round and headed off towards Cape Trib. Just before we arrived at the car ferry we went for a 1 hour boat trip up the Daintree river to spot crocs. We were very lucky and came across three crocs on the riverbank. There was loads of snakes in the trees and also found a green tree frog.

The best however was yet to come, once we arrived in Cape Tribulation we found another boardwalk through the rainforest it was here we came across a blue tongued skink and a large perentie Australia’s largest lizard laying on the boardwalk. The walk was about an hour and very enjoyable however, still no Cassowary. We headed back towards the car ferry around 4.30pm and just as we approached the ferry approx 1km a female Cassowary was strolling across the road. We pulled the car over and managed to take a quick picture before it vanished into the rainforest - Goal accomplished! - Ade

12th Oct - Goodbye Cairns!

Another great time spent in Cairns, apart from the skydive! Just packing off and heading for the airport at 11.10 for our flight to Surfers paradise. Not sure if there is an internet connection at the hotel but stay tuned! Ade