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So the legendary "Road to Cairns", that along with most things up the East Coast I will not ever forget. First stop a crocodile farm, now what can this place have on Steve Irwins Zoo? I'll tell you now, you a much less showy view of the crocodiles and actually get to hold some, as well as snakes, Lizards and all sorts of great pets!
The guys here were a little insane, taughting the crocodiles out of the water with chicken and they snapped pretty loud. One was something like 12ft long, a giant Beast. We were a lot closer at this place, which was good. We also got to see more Kangeroos, and snakes of all descriptions. This was a hot day so we tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. So I got to hold a blue toothed Lizard, a baby alligator...now whats the difference, well Crocodile Dundave will tell you - its the snout, the colouration of the scales and the fact that Australia doesnt bread or have many Alligators, they leave that to the Yanks! Speaking of which we picked up two American doctors enroute who shall enter the story later. Then the maddest part of all "who would like to be bitten by a Python?", why in god green earth would you want to be bitten by a snake?
I understand thats what you'd all say. And we were the same, until it was offered a free drink for everyone who got bitten! That was Jules and I sold! Such a difficult choice.
So you put your hand in the snake cage and wave it around the Pythons head so it has a gaze fixed on your hand, then move your hand very quickly to the snakes blind spot, then the strike. Its like a stapler or pin going through your skin! Bleeds loads and leaves a cool teeth marks around you hand, that heal within an hour or so. Nuts but where else would you do that? Obviously the Python isn't poiseness to humans - check the pictures out and I'll try to load the video onto Youtube as soon as I get a good computer.
So from there we headed up the coast, closer to Cairns, stopping first at the tropical waterfalls and then a fresh water lake for lunch and a swim.
This is definately the life! The lake was gorgeous, and showed the effects of the Cyclone that hit just before I got into Australia. This was stronger than Katrina in the states (New Orleans) but luckily didnt hit civilisations, just the countryside. So there are trees all still down in the water, which we decided to use as a plank in the water. That as un PC as it was the Steve Irwin Doll walked!
Theres nothing like jumping into fresh water lakes from height, everyone swam and had a real laugh including the American doctor, whos name I found out was Tasha and her friend was teaching her how to swim! Classic....34 years of not swimming! Good for you Tash.
From here it was a straight shot onto Cairns, where we were planning a reunion with Luke Snr, and a night out at the Woolshed! Anyone who has been to Cairns knows the Woolshed, its the Cheeky Monkeys of the Queensland. Julians looks got us an upgrade to a single dorm, just me and him, which was wicked since it was nice to have privacy for a change.
So Cairns, probably the second largest city in Queensland after Brisbane, however it was more like a town really. Again, like Airlie Beach there is no Beach here, just a "lagoon" - please its a swimming pool! And a very nice one at that! So everyone was planning to meet at the Woolshed and Jules and I went for a wander. I instantly liked this place, it is a seaside resort, but a nice one. Loads to do, unlike Airlie and Mission, it just felt homely. And it was very hot. 37 Degrees at one point.
So the Woolshed, we got free meal vouchers everyday from our hostel which was a bonus. Its a s***hole. Come on you all know it is...but if you drink for long enough, it transforms into a mad night out, with Fish Olympics, Battle of the Sexes etc....Dont ask.
So we ate and chilled with our group and who decided to join us, first was Luke Snr, then Donna from Kroombit (shes absolutely fantastic!), and then the grusome twosome made an appearence, yes Luke and Shawn! (and thats only to mention a few.) Oh god this was going to get ugly...
And it did, dancing on tables followed Donna entering battle of the sexes, and doing a lapdance for some random guy. Which took the attention of Laurence, who was plying us with alcohol all night. A quick, very unsuttle introduction followed them two hooking up and disappearing - good on ya Donna!
It was wicked to see Luke and Shawn again, along with Luke Snr, who we will be hooking up with at New Year in Sydney. Table Danced, drunk and chatted, a brilliant night. Got to know Tasha really well also, she starts her Job as a fully fledged doctor in the States a couple of weeks afterwards. Shes a fun girl, with a whitty sarcastic sense of humour. Yeah another contact in the States, think she lives in Wyoming, so may stay with her enroute back to the UK. In all we all had a wicked first night in Cairns and didnt rise again until the afternoon following.
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