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Hi all,
Sorry it's been a while since my last blog but I've been having too much fun (plus I've been in a place with no internet and mobile for a few days)
I spent the day in Cairns on Tuesday and had every good intention of getting up early and going to a place called Kuranda and onto an aboriginal village. I didn't wake up until 10am though so thought of a better plan - shopping!
Headed into the town centre - phew, it's really hot today. The first really hot day I have had since being in Australia. I had to buy a holdall for all of my stuff. Have already sent 2 boxes of stuff home but still I need more space! I've never been one to travel light.
Met up with my friend Cara who I had previously met in Airlie Beach. It was nice to catch up with a familiar face - we decided to meet a bit later for dinner. I spent the rest of the day wandering around Cairns and soaking up the sun. There isn't really much to Cairns. Unlike other cities, Cairns doesn't have anything touristy to go and see.
Met Cara for dinner and found a few more shops on the way home to the hostel. Have to be up early for my trip to the Cape Tribulation.
Wednesday - Got picked up around 8.00 by a crazy looking dude called Brad. Onto the tour bus I get and off to the rainforest. Brad was actually very good and talked the whole way there about the rainforest. I wish I could remember some interesting facts for you but I was at the back of the bus and half asleep!
First stop was the Daintree River for a boat ride. We all piled on and waited in anticipation for some crocodiles. We saw a few - one of them was huge - but I wasn't convinced it was real. It didn't move but I guess that's how they trick people the sneaky crocs.
Next was a walk through the rainforest. Everyone covered themselves in insect repellent because the mangroves in the rainforest is where all the sand flies and midges live ( I think I'll be running through that section!)
The rainforest was very interesting to hear about. It's the oldest rainforest in the world. Once the photos are added I will add a description of the various trees that I saw.
One very extraordinary thing I did in the rainforest was to lick an ant's bum! Don't worry, I haven't gone crazy. The guide said they tasted like limes and there was more vitamin c in their tiny backsides than in 6 limes. I just had to try it I picked up the wiggling ant (which was quite large) and licked it's green bum. Wow, it was just like limes. It was a fun experience but I felt sorry for the ant (at least I didn't squash it - or worse - eat it!)
Got dropped off at my accommodation for the next 2 nights. I'm in the Cape Trib Beach House. It certainly is right on the beach so I was looking forward to some tranquility. I didn't realise it was going to be so tranquil!
The dorms were wooden huts. I feared that it would be full of spiders but I couldn't see any and never saw any for the 2 days I was there. I got a top bunk (bummer) but felt safer up there in case any animals broke into the room and got me (yep, I know it's strange how my imagniation works!)
Dumped my bags and Lisa and I headed straight for the beach. Aah bliss, there was hardly anyone around. I was quite happily listening to my ipod when Lisa shouts out "Cassowary". Now, have I told you about the Cassowaries? They are huge birds like Emu's but much more evil. They can disembowel you with one kick and can run up to 30 Km p/h. Scary stuff eh! Anyway, one was walking towards Lisa and I. I of course panicked and started to gather up my things to back away (the cassowaries are bullies and like to corner you) Lisa on the other hard started waving her hands and making a crazy bird noise. It seemed to work because it walked straight past her. Wow - she is now my hero!
Later that day I was walking back to my hut and that damn bird was outside laying down. I think it knows who I am and is out to torment me. Tried to be brave and even took a photo of it.
Had dinner that night with Lisa (Boston), Sabrina (Denmark) and Shrenick (London) who were on my tour. Also indulged in a few cocktails and we played a few games of cards.
Thursday I was picked up at 8am for a boat trip to the reef. There were 40 of us on a catamaran but the boat was quite big so it didn't seem that many people. The water was lovely and calm and took around an hour to get out onto the reef. The water was lovely and clear blue. In fact, you didn't even have to get into the water to see the fish.
I was booked in to do my first dive but I chickened out. Being underwater really isn't my thing. Instead I just snorkelled away for about an hour.
The reef wasn't as spectacular as I thought it would be. It was mainly brown. Still, there were lots of lovely colourful fish to see.
We had lunch on the boat - pasta, salad, ham etc.... and then back in the water for more snorkelling. I decided to opt out of the 2nd snorkel and spent the rest of the afternoon lazing on the roof of the boat. This was the only the 2nd time I've sunbathed since being away so I was going to make the most of it!
That evening it was just Lisa and I left. There is nothing to do at this hostel so we got into bed around 8pm and did the crosswords in all the magazines we had! Party animals!
Friday, I was picked up at 1ish by the tour company for an afternoon of sightseeing around the rainforest. We stopped off at a lookout point. You can see all the way to Cairns which was about 250km away.
Then we went onto the Mossman Gorge. It's a safe swimming hole with waterfalls and a swing bridge. It all looked very lovely but I didn't fancy going in the water. Unless it's bath water temp, I'm not going in without a wetsuit!
I got dropped off at a place called Port Doulgas. I'll stay here for 2 nights before heading back to Cairns on Sunday. I've had a great few days but quite glad to get back to civilisation and away from those damn birds!!!!
xx
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