Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello from Australia!
We left Hong Kong on another overnight flight arriving at Brisbane airport. No chance to rest as we had to get a domestic flight to Cairns but found that we had to pay for a bus or train to get to the domestic flight terminal! Instead I spoke to the Quantas man and looked pretty pathetic so he gave us free bus tickets to the terminal - yep that's the backpacker spirit!
We would love to tell you how amazing it was flying into Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef only we were both passed out from exhaustion! We stayed at Gecko's backpackers which was only a short walk from the shopping mall and seafront. We had time to walk around and get our first glimpse of the Queensland coastline. Cairns was easy to walk around but there was not a great deal to do. We had a schooner of beer each (just under a pint) unlike a pot (a half pint) at a bar before sleep claimed us yet again.
We happily slept in thinking we had loads of time until Dave checked that actually we had to vacate by 10am but I was in the shower at 9.45am when we found out. After an impressive change and pack by me we were out on time and went to collect our campervan who we have called NEMO!
We stocked up on essentials at the supermarket and drove for an hour North along the Captain Cook Highway (it really was) to the town of Port Douglas. Dave got very frustrated at the millions of roundabouts (called rotaries). However we found our first campsite called Pandanus and made a quick 20 minute decision about a snorkelling tour before they shut. We were starving and so headed into Port Douglas to find food to cook but became lazy as hunger kicked in and settled for a cheesy moo burger instead made from local Mossman cattle.
The next day we had an early start aboard our tour boat Poseidon, a fast catamaran vessel to take us to the outer reef. The sea sickness pills were advertised but thankfully it remained calm all day. We stopped at three different snorkelling sites on Agincourt reef and it was pretty special. Between us we saw (apart from shed loads of corals) clownfish (Nemo and his dad!!), parrot fish eating the coral, a gruper, a black-tipped reef shark, a stingray and lots of pretty coloured small fish we cannot name.
The next day we drove up to Mossman gorge which is in the Daintree Rainforest National Park. This was a board walk based around a river flowing through the rainforest. Dave was brave and went for a swim with the jungle perch in the crystal clear but freezing water. I however happily filmed it with just my feet submerged which was plenty for me.
After this we drove south for 3 hours along the Bruce Highway to Mission Beach passing through many sugar cane and banana plantations. Our campsite was just caught between the edge of the rainforest and the start of the beach. We could hear the waves as we sat outside our campervan as well as lots of other less pleasing sounds from the rainforest. We decided that we would rather not know what was making those particular sounds. At Mission beach we are on the lookout for Cassowarys, a 5 foot tall fruit eating bird which can be aggressive to humans. This part of Queensland is called 'the Cassowary Coast' and they are commonly seen here, but not yet by us!
Today was spent doing not very much at all. I don't feel quite 100% but improving quickly with rest, and we needed a lazy day after all the travelling. We did manage to go for a walk through mangroves to the next bay along but there was a sign warning not to swim because of crocs (common here in freshwater).
Tomorrow we head inland to a place called Paronella Park, then head south to Airlie beach and the Whitsunday islands (think of that heart-shaped tropical island picture taken from the air you see in magazines...we think it was taken there).
We'll try and put pics on soon, but can't do it on this computer. Hope everyone is well back in Blighty and the weather isn't too rubbish, it almost rained here today!
Love Brenda & David xxx
- comments
Michelle G'Day maties! glad you are having fun down under :-)
Dad All sounds pretty good so far and it didn't take you long to get into the swing of things. Look after Nemo and he will look after you, enjoy...
Elen and Scott Hello! Very jealous, sounds like you're having a great time! Be careful of the crocs though, swimming in a river in a rainforest in Australia sounds fishy to me! Have fun guys, and keep the photos coming.
Paul & Tori What awesome fun! I bet the Whitsunday Islands are amazing. Photos please! Tori and I loved looking through your Hong Kong pics xxx
Chris S Hong Kong looked awesome. Not entirely clear from the photos what's to eat and what's a pet! Hope your continuing to enjoy Australia and don't get pecked to death by Cassowarys!
Wendy Hi Brenda!!! missing you but looks like u are having a fab time and not missing us too much hehe. Loving all the photos but feeling a tad jealous! looks amazing. xxx