It’s been a lovely week relaxing in Cairns, taking part in the many adventurous activities available and of course last night at the infamous Gilligan’s night club where we most definitely wore out that dancefloor!
It is now time to leave and begin our journey down the east coast… First stop is the Whitsunday’s after our 6 hour journey!
Time really does fly when you’re having fun
I think since the film was released the entire population have wanted to go on their own adventure across the Great Barrier Reef to find their very own Nemo. Today was finally my chance!
It was also my first time as a qualified diver which made it even more special.
We went out with the guys from Passions of Paradise and they were a lovely bunch who looked after us very well all day!
I did two dives with two other certified divers from our group, a lady from South Africa and our tour guide. Our first stop was Hastings Reef where we dived up to 16 metres however the best views of the reef were at our 5m safety stop where the water is more shallow and more light reaches the corals.
Our second dive was at Michealmas Cay which is a lot more sandy so visibility was less clear however we did get to see a Blue Spotted Ray in the distance. There was a stronger chance of seeing turtles here but unfortunately we missed out on that during the dive.
It was a great day out but I was slightly disappointed by the colours of the reef, it is ‘bigged up’ so much that I guess my expectations were set so high it was hard to meet them however I may give Cairns another visit during the next semester and give the reef another chance…. It’s still an area of such beauty afterall!
After an early night it was time for my second attempt at the 3:30am wake up call for my hot air balloon ride… Luckily this attempt was a lot more successful!
I was booked in with the lovely guys at Hot Air Cairns and we headed out to our start point for sunrise in the balloon which was beyond beautiful!
We had views out of the edges of the vast rainforest again but unfortunately weren’t lucky enough to see any of the reef on this trip…. I guess that means I’ll just have to come back another day for a helicopter ride!
Today was spent exploring Cape Tribulation, the Daintree River and surrounding areas.
At first we had a short cruise up and down the Daintree river searching for crocodiles again, due to this river being salt water as it is connected to the ocean there are fewer crocodiles that inhabit it (as opposed to what we saw in Kakadu last week) – which is extremely ironic considering they are called SALTwater crocodiles… Don’t let the name fool you, these salties prefer fresh water to lay their eggs in and hunt on more prey.
After our cruise around the river we hopped back on the bus to the most spectacular lookout point where rainforest meets reef – Alexandra Lookout. Today we were blessed enough to be on the edge of two of the most spectacular world heritage sites – The Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation Rainforest (one of the oldest rainforests, tracing 40-60,000 years old so I’m told by our wonderful aboriginal guide).
Lunch was a feast in itself! In the tiniest corner of the most vast rainforest lived a little restaurant which believe it or not served the best steak I have tasted since being in Australia. It was truly melt in the mouth and the good company made it taste all the better.
One thing I love about travelling alone is the look elder people give you when you confirm to them that yes you are in fact travelling alone – I don’t even know how to describe it, it’s almost an awe mixed with jealousy I think. My company for lunch today was exactly that. Around my table sat professors, consultants and project managers that were looking at me in that way simply because I was a young female travelling alone – grass is always greener on the other side though isn’t it. I was looking in awe and jealously of the strong and stable careers they all held – it was an interesting lunch conversation to say the least!
After lunch we headed to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen with the water so deeply tempting – but remember this is Australia so it was also extremely deadly… That’s right folks – it’s stinger season (jelly fish) and with the crocs around too I don’t fancy my chances thank you!
I appreciated the Australians attempt on Cream Tea scones but they’ve got nothing on the mighty Devon!! (It wasn’t even clotted cream !!)
We then headed towards Mossman Gorge where we met the lovely aboriginal guide previously mentioned who showed us how the aboriginal people would use the natural resources to make paints, spears as well as medicines (just to name a few). He beautifully described to us how his culture is one that appreciates others an their backgrounds as well as how it also seems to be the oldest culture which is still going strong today.
I must say it contrasted with what others have previously described of aboriginal culture today but it did sound beautiful in it’s ideology.
We then got the shuttle bus down to the Gorge itself and the wobbly walkway platform before we got started on our beautiful journey back to Cairns.
Another beautiful night in the lagoon yesterday with the sun setting behind me and not a care in the world
Today was an early start but worth it! Tully river, 9 boats, one mission – make it to the bottom in one piece… That’s white water rafting for you!
My boat consisted of two lazy Germans, one brutal Irish, a Chinese couple (only half of which could swim), our guide – Marty and myself. With the two lazy Germans setting the pace I don’t think we stood any chance in winning but we definitely had fun trying!
….and yes I did fall in!
Cairns is a wonderful place! Definitely adding it to my list of places to return to next semester.
Yesterday I spent the day exploring Kuranda in the rainforest region. I took the historic scenic train up to the top and skyrailed back down after – I’m not even ashamed to admit it but the highlight of my day was hugging a Koala and getting a cheeky photo of the action
They don’t call it RAINforest region for nothing though and we had a mid afternoon storm which delayed the journey home but luckily I made it in once piece and didn’t miss my coach
After relaxing during sunset in the infamous esplanade lagoon I had an early night ready for my 3:30am wake up call to go hot air ballooning but then slept through my alarm! Stupidly I forgot to turn the volume up and woke up at 6am in sheet panic…. Luckily I had a free morning on Wednesday before my next Topdeck trip and they were nice enough to let me reschedule for then. Phew!
Instead today has been spent washing clothes… Buying more clothes (whoops) and I am currently relaxing in a beer garden listening to a couple sing some classic tunes.
It’s a hard life but someone has to do it…. I’m lucky enough to be that somebody today. Feeling very blessed!
eyes abroad 