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Cairns-12th- 21st Spetember
12th Spetember 2007- Explained
13th September 2007
Got up and went for breakfast with John from Wigan. Then decided to lie by the pool and work off the hangover. Nipped back to the room and met my other roomy Clare. Clare was from Devon and seemed really nice. She invited me to the Lagoon where we met up with Dave and Steve (Irish boys), Derk, Wander, Yalmer, Kym, Kelly Coileen (Dutch). The dutch girls suggested a BBQ on the Esplanade s owe all agreed to meetat 6:30 ish and have beers and food on the waterfront. Had a lovely afternoon and felt really happy about being in Cairns plans were made to go out that night. Clare and I spent ages getting ready much to Johns disgust. Met everyone for the BBQ, drank goon and played innocent when security told us that we were not allowed to consume alcohol in public. Went to the hostel and played "never have I ever." Nothing like a good game of that to find out about the group. Went out PJ's. Had a realLy good night and everyone got on really well. I sensibly left at 1:30 because I was going on the Barrier reef the following morning.
14th Spetember 2007- Great Barrier Reef
Got up and felt like crap bought a McDonalds breakfast hoping this would make things better it did not. Arrived at the Reef station and was told that my boat was upgraded which was nice. Not sure how or why but didn't complain. Some American guys took pity on me and spoke to me. The ships crew tried to get me to dive but I can't because of my stupid asthma contemplated lying but thought the insurance may not cover it. I was quite gutted as the trip was meant to be a one day dive but the kind Kiwi bloke in Caravellas said I wouldn't be allowed to scuba but snorkelling would be good. I think when I booked the trip to go to the reef I must have been a bit hormonal as I nearly cried when he said I could not dive rubbish. Anyway orignal point met some Americans and then went and laid on deck and fell asleep. Woke up feeling really ill and blamed it on the sea sickness not the alcohol consumed the night before. Anyway eventually arrived at Michealmas Cay and felt a lot better. Went snorkelling which was amazing!
Saw some beautiful coral and fish a lot more fish than I saw in Coral Bay. Didn't speak to anyone while on the beach which was actually quite nice as I was really tired. Went back to the boat and had an awesome lunch not a backpacker meal at all. Prawns, meat, fresh fish and fruit. Tried to eat lots of fruit so I don't get ill. Thought about stealing some but didn't think warm fruit would work all the way back to Cairns. Spent the afternoon on the boat and at about 2:00 went on the semi submerger which was like a submarine where you got to see the Coral and fish. A bit disappointed as I have still not seen a turtle. Had an enjoyable day got chatting to a girl from Germany and reacquinted with the American boys.
However the journey home was tough I was really sick even though I had two ginger tablets and tried to concentrate on the horizon gave up and managed to fall asleep on deck. I was awoke by the horn of the boat once it had ported in Cairns. With the population of the ship staring at me asleep on deck.
Went to see Clare in work she works at the British lollipop shop. This was not a good idea and after being on land 20 minutes I was obviousy fine as I had bought Highland toffee, wham bar and a liquiorice stick. Went back t othe hostel chilled got ready and met Clare at 9:00 at the night markets. Managed to persuade Clare that going out was not a good idea so had an early night.
Saturday 15th September-
Booked trips and met a girl called Kathy who was going down the East Coast. She seemed cool so booked on the same trips as her and basically went to the Lagoon. Got back had tea with Clare and John watched the carnival pass the hostel, got ready and drank alcohol. Steve came to the hostel and we all drank then the Dutch people arrived and we set off for town. Unfortunately on the way a fight occurred between Kelly and some local teenagers so we had to hang around and wait for the police to arrive. An American guy had seen it all so came out to be a witness he was ready to jump in his car and chase after them. Luckily this did not happen. Dampened the night slightly but it was all sorted and drinking cont'd into the night. Clare some how got dragged up on to the bar in PJ's with the Coyote Ugly dancers. I thought this was hilarious she did not. Had a cool night but left early as Clare had work and I felt sick.
16th September- Tjapukai
Stayed by the pool and slept felt sick but it was ok. That night went to Tjapukai an Aboriginal night at the Cultural centre just outside of Cairns. I'd persuaded John to go with me coz I didn't want to be on my own. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was awful. Arrived and we were put in a room with pictures, stories and artifacts. The room was then plunged into darkness and a person in a neon suit came out and a story was told about how the Aboriginees believed the earth was created. This was surreal we were then led outside and had to get in a circle a chant. We were given clapsticks and told to walk in a cirlce to help the fire be created. 5 men created fire by rubbing sticks which was of course very exciting if you were Japanese. I was thinking ok so things can't get worse I was wrong. We then went inside for food which was very nice but then after that the Aboriginee men danced and re-enacted hunting scenes. Oh and made fire with two Japanese volunteers from the audience. One young man was so excited that he stripped down to his shorts and copied the dancing done by the Aboriginees. I thought someone had spiked my drink. It was so surreal and really wrong! The glamorous Gloria at Cravellas had evidently not been to the show or had and is as a wacky as the half naked guy on the stage.
Then at the end of the evening we got to chat around the camp fire to the guys who had done the show. Trying to be all teachery I encouraged John to go and talk to them about Aboriginee culture. I arrive at the fire to find the 4 Aboriginee blokes and himslef talking about rugby league and Ozzie rule. The most interesting part of the night was talking to the Aboriginnee women in the gift shop who were talking to me about the situation with drugs and alcohol in some of the communities.
A night I wont forget but for all the wrong reasons. Perhaps my experiences on the West Coast with Cappes and the camp fire had spoilt me or perhaps not!!!
17th September 2007- Rafting
Got picked up at 8:00 ish and got chatting to a guy called Nick whose has been working in Sydney as a journalist. Turns out his Dad lives in Kingsmead and his mates drink in mine and Gareths pubs. It is a small world.
Arrived at the Tully River and were given instructions about the ways to rows and what different commands mean. I was slightly apprehnsive and the guide on the bus a quite funny Scottish man didn't know they existed!!! was explaining baout the safety issues. He said if anyone shouts crocodile we all get in a circle in the water and don't let the cirlce break. Now as osme of you may be aware if you have been religiously reading my blogs I am s#%* scared of crocodiles and to be honest rafting was already scaring me. We arrived on the river and were told we were having two guides little did we know one was training and when something went slightly wrong the Scottish guy said under his breath oh that should not have happened. "that wasn't great". All in all the day was brilliant our boat was made up of two middle aged women who wanted a calmer ride (this I was thanking God for all the way down the rapids, as the dingy with 6 ozzy blokes in had capsized and that was their aim), me, Nick and a couple on their honeymoon. Everyone got on well but if the man in the couple turned around and kissed his wife once more I think I might have said something. Maybe I was slightly jelous but there is a time and a place and in a dingy with 6 other people is prob not it. Rafting was prob one of the best things I've done so far.
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