The night we slept in Brisbane Airport

13/08/14

So today is our last day in Cairns and Australia too. We finished squeazing everything into our luggage, emptied the car (mouldy avocados) and checked out. Left bags at the hostel to collect later when we get the airport shuttle. We went to get the car cleaned at The Car Wash Cafe, which was a rip off but better than $100 fine. Then went to sleep on the beach at Holloways Beach. It wasn't sunbathing weather, very cloudy and windy but I managed to nap. Might aswell have not slept last night I felt no better for it today. At 2 we needed to leave, fill the car up and go drop it off. $85 to fill it up. Said goodbye to the car and now we were homeless carrying carrier bags with our clothes in for later. 

Walked to the Esplanade and had two glasses of wine. Then it was time to go get dressed. The day had flown by. Back at the hostel, changed and sorted out bags. Shuttle bus with a very stressed driver who was wanting to shoot people haha. Flight was at 21:10. Arrived at Brisbane gone 11pm and found the airtrain and buses had finished for the night and got in a cab who charged $18 for a three minute journey. He was annoyed we only wanted to go to the international, using the airport fees as his excuse. Found a sofa to lie on and tried to sleep! Slept about 2-5am and woke up freezing and in a cold sweat!

Bye Australia :( Next stop Bali!

Cape Tribulation

12/08/14

Second trip in Cairns is to the Tropical Daintree Rainforest for a jam packed day. Got picked up by the tour guide who is aboriginal!!! Called George! He was really funny and spoke a lot in his language telling us the names of places and meanings. 

Drove to the Daintree river crossing, stopping once for coffee and talking to a Spanish girl. Crossed the river on the ferry and George was relaying all the crocodile stories he knew. He knew a lot! 

Drove to a scenic lookout of the river mouth which looked beautiful. Note that Steve Irwin died down there. 

He then took us for a walk through rainforest, pointing out all the trees and insects, telling us about all the medicinal properties and lifestyle uses. He knew everything because the is how his family have always lived. Living off the land. There were some ants that have menthol inside them so when you have flu you let them crawl all over your neck and bite you so they insert the menthol to help your sinus' or you can crush them and eat them. I love these trees that look like they have needed to grow more legs. 

And these with all the roots.

Had a very quick lunch at Cape trib with goannas and turkeys walking about wanting food. Goannas particularly freaky! 

As we were driving George suddenly pulled the bus over and jumped out telling us all to do so too. He had spotted a young cassowary at the side of the road! The bird crossed the road and walked straight towards the group until many of us ran back to the bus which scared it a bit and it ran into the trees. Back on the road again and we saw an adult one, not close but enough to see it's size and blue and red head. George said we were very lucky to see them as they don't come out often and it had made his day too! Apparently out of five the largest species of cassowary lives only in Papau New Guinea. 

We had a five minute stop at the Daintree Icecream factory, growing and selling their fruits as Icecream. They had ready made pots for us: wattle, jackfruit, pineapple and something. 

We were heading at high speed toward our Boat ride down the Daintree river as running a bit late. I really enjoyed the boat ride on the look out for the saltys. Saw 3 big crocs laying around and a few juveniles that were really difficult to see. Also an Azure Kingfisher and a Little Kingfisher with white belly and a jabaroo.

The arial roots of the mangroves were amazing too, like witches fingers. 

Got a scenic lookout of Snapper island which looks like a croc or Homer Simpson lying down with no toes! And a selfie with an aboriginal!

Last stop of the day was Mossman Gorge. If it had been earlier in the day I might have swam but it was freezing water! Plus after a day of croc stories maybe not! 

Sunday in Cairns

10/08/14

Today we had a lay in, in our private room which is full of all our clothes hanging around drying. We were first woken up by the hire car guys outside our window talking a lot and then turning on the radio. We might aswell be down there with them. Counting the fag burns in each car very clearly. But the sound of their hoovers and pressure washers soon put us back to sleep. Second wake up call was a little Thai woman come to empty our bin which was strange. She returned half hour later, surprised we were still looking at her from under the covers. And said she'd come back later! 

Went for an expensive morning after breakfast at the same restaurant as last night. Had musli and fruit and croissant and apricot toast and a super juice. Our eyes have not yet understood what is too much for our bellies! It started to rain :( Walked to the pier and marina to look for the Mud market which has got a website and is in my guide book. Couldn't find it and went into the marina building to ask, came across a jewellery shop with lots of opals. I knew I wanted one but soo many to chose from, all beautiful. I ended up picking the first one I liked, more purple than classic opal. I love the turquoise opal but I felt they all looked like fine jewellery and not so much like me. This has got a bit of character. A larger opal and typically the most expensive of my narrowed down choices! 

Wondering what to do in this weather and probably should book some trips for our last two days! Monday is a reef trip and I'll do diving! With an underwater camera!! So excited!!! And Tuesday is a trip to the Daintree Rainforest.

Went and sat for some Sunday afternoon music in the park. Lots of people sitting around oldies dancing. And a weird man woman giving some freaky moves. Sad it's not sunny though. 

Bareback at Horseshoe!

08/08/14

Today we are going horse riding! $110. Walked down to Horseshoe Ranch for half past 8 and signed a disclaimer saying that we could die... Then showed to our horses. Bronson for me and Jack for Laura. Only a small group of 3 so we had a guide each all of which were European girls. Climbed on and told the basics of how to control them. Laura was really nervous. We were heading to the beach to ride bareback in the sea. Started of walking which was ok. My horse was slow! And new the track so well I needent steer him. He was so slow I trailed behind a lot. He was the beginners horse, not spooked by anything and just like to walk behind the group so he wasn't being pushed along. We then started to trott which was horrible! I couldn't get into any sort of rythym and just bounced constantly which really really hurt. I carried on wanting to cry! 

Made it to the beach and walked along to catch up with the two that cantered off. The horses found the sand difficult. We got off for a few mins to strip down to our bikinis and take the saddles off. Had a few photos and gave our phones to the girls while we were in the sea. The horses walked slow through the water and Laura's kept stopping and the girl had to jump in and hit their bums. Once she'd hit them and the went she held on to their tails to surf through the water! She stayed with us but off to the side so she wasn't in the photos, to keep telling the horses off for stopping. They were both so lazy and bored or wanted to stay in the sea! We got some amazing photos that are canvas worthy. Looks a lot better than how much I enjoyed it! 

I didn't need to ride back, I'd had enough. My bum hurt so much! The horse didn't really wanna walk back either lol. The floor was so uneven I was worried about him twisting one of his back ankles coz they can't see where they're putting them! They wanted us to trot again and I did it for as long as I could without crying and then told him to stop and walked back, the last one to arrive. I am in so much pain now! Laura had the time of her life haha I preferred the motorbikes. But still, I've riden an orse! And probably the best ride along the beach and in the sea! 

Laid in the sun by the pool and then when the trees made shade went and laid on the campsite grass by a sprinkler that kept giving us a nice spray. Left for Arcadia at half 5 with wallaby food to feed the little rock wallabies! They were very cute and seemed starving! Little joeys in pouches with their heads out. They put their little claws on your hands to pull themselfs up to eat! Stayed out at the Arcadia for some food a drink, and the 'market' - 3 stalls maybe lol. Saw a man feeding the kookaburras who were lined up on a fence waiting for him. Curlews are scavengers sulking around the tables on stilts with needy eyes. Waited for the bus back for over and hour and it didn't arrive so booked a taxi that also took forever! While we were waiting a man invited us back to his for a drink... haha. Cab arrived and he said the bus had broken down along the journey.

Maggie Island

07/08/14

Left at half 7 today! We ache a lot from yesterday! Backs and arms from hanging on to the boat! Arrived into Townsville at 11ish and went to the tourist information. Seemed like a sweet town and would like to wander but I know we don't have time for that, want to get to Cairns. Paid for our ferry and night in the YHA in Horseshoe Bay. The Irish people at Fraser had told us about this hostel that has it's own wildlife sanctury so that's where we headed. 

The sea was a bit choppy and difficult to walk around the boat. Only 8km off the mainland so didn't take too long. Surprised also that the sea here was very like English sea, murky and sea like compared to yesterday's ocean. Got a bus after the ferry over to Bungalow Bay Kaola Park. Checked in at two and the last tour of the day with a ranger is half past so waited for that to begin. 

So during this two hour zoo visit I held; a turtle, a red tailed black cockatoo called Shadow - put a sunflower seed in my lips and it took it out with a kiss! Really heavy though, kept feeling like I would drop it. Eventually he did fall and landed face down with a crack and lost a feather. He wasn't too keen on someone and wouldn't get on her arm and fell. He was ok though. Then had a laugh at a white cockatoo that was rummaging in a bin called Charlie. She was crazy and excitable and could also talk where as the black one couldn't. Then there was a wombat called Harry who was adorable. He was sleeping because they're nocturnal but the ranger got him out for a photo before he backed his way back to bed. Stroked him too. Then there was freshwater crocs who were lazing. Then out came the lizards which creeped me out. One that looked like a snake with legs, one who's tail looked like it's head and a beared dragon that made me scream as it crawled across my chest. Held a baby saltwater croc which was scary. Was only tiny but still his needle sized teeth would have done a lot of damage. Next was Pebbles the koala!! So cute and soft and squishy enough to want to cuddle and take away. I held a koala!!! And got a photo too. The ranger then got out a carpet snake which me and Laura both passed on holding! Creepy gross thing. After the tour there was lorikeet feeding which was mad. Gave us wet bread to hold and flocks of birds landed in us, landing on my head and arms. They are beautiful colours! 

Hervey Bay - 1770

03/08/14

First big drive so far really. Although the next few days need to be like this. Left at 7:45 this morning. I felt better ill wise coz last night I felt awful but we are still knackered! 

Passed through Childers and then stopped at a garage in Bundaberg for petrol and a sandwich. We're skipping Bundaberg coz the only thing to do is the distillery, don't need to spend time there when Laura can't drink anyway. 

Arrived in 1770 and just happened to notice the motorbike place as we drove past, so turned around and went to ask about it. We were told to come back at 2pm and that there was a hostel directly opposite so we could stay there! 

Noosa -Tin Can Bay

30/07/14

Managed to get up early for half 9 checkout! Drove into Noosa, spotted where we had been last night! Posh place, loads of lovely houses overlooking the water. We parked up near the National Park and went for a walk along the cliffs. People had seen whales, dolphins and koalas in the last few days so I was hopeful, but we didn't. Beautiful surroundings though. And people paddle boarding which I want to try!

We thought we might have to find a garage to find someone to help open the bonnet but I managed it! Next stop was The Original Eumundi Markets which was really good! We bought some clothes and I really enjoyed walking around the stalls. Very limited for boys birthday presents though!  I like Vietnamese food too, second time I've enjoyed it this holiday! Was really hot! 

We got on the road towards Tin Can Bay to find out about this dolphin feeding I'd read about. Stopped at a Maddies on the way in Gympie and got a $1 number plate! Gympie was really old school as we drove through. All tin roofed buildings and signs with seperate letters talking about god and welcoming the new deputy teacher at the school! The road signs are saying almost 1600km to Cairns 😵 don't know how we'll do this! 

The drive from Gympie to Tin Can Bay was through a forestry passage. A lot of it seemed very new and was such a picture with all the trees in lines for about 40km!

Tin Can Bay is a lovely old fashioned style town. It's on a point so the sea is either side. It wasn't even in my lonely planet book. But it seems the people here expect you to come because of the dolphins. We are staying in a motel/hotel/club. Seems where the whole town hangs out even though it's a backpackers. The locals all think the dolphin feeding is a rio off. When the 40's generation were young all the kids had a pet dolphin each who would learn to come to the right person for they're food. They used to be everywhere and now there is just a handful. Sleepy town other than this. 

At Sleepy Lagoon Hotel Motel, we got a private room dinner and 5 drinks each for $50 which is very reasonable! Need to do this a few times up the coast. Who knew a private room would be such luxury! You feel you are able to go to bed when you like.