Trip 6 – Pt5 – Cairns

Monday 24th February (day 21)

During the night we had some torrential rain but by the morning….. just blue skies. After breakfast we decided to go and play crazy golf! Having gone to Tumbi Umbi (yes that really was the place name) we found the crazy golf course, which was amazing to look at, was closed on Mondays. So the two females decided on some retail therapy, followed by a coffee. Then it was of to the library to get wifi to print off boarding passes for Cairns and catch up on events, emails etc. A quick bit of food shopping then back to the apartment for a soak up of the sun, a swim and drink. A final barbie with Paul, Sue, Ben and Ella then we said our goodbyes and we packed for an early start tomorrow.

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Tuesday 25th February (day 22)

Up with the lark (6.30am). Shower, breakfast then cases in the car for a ride to Gosford station (thanks Huw). Just missed a train but there was no rush. The journey to Sydney domestic airport cost $44 (£25), that is for two people one way. Two Sundays ago we went to Sydney return for $23 so it seems weekdays and ‘rush’ hour is considerably dearer. No difficulty getting a seat on the train as rush hour Oz style is very different. Checked in to Oz’s Eastjet equivalent – Jetstar – very quickly and would have left on time if a passenger on the inbound flight had not refused to get off as she had lost her phone. Still only a short delay which the pilot caught up. Cairns was, well hot and humid with a hot breeze, absolutely lovely. Took a taxi to the hotel and again had a miserable sod for a driver. Checked in quickly at the Hilton and emptied our cases then went for a stoll along the front where we had some ribs, a burger and beer. Back to the hotel, where we made arrangements for the next four days, then it was time for the pool and jacuzzi. Once the sun had set we left the pool changed and went for a longer walk along the Main Street but not before noticing that some large bats were flying out across the inlet. When I say large I mean tea tray size or bloody huge. As we walked along the front we saw hundreds of these bats. We walked along tree lined walkways and the trees were lit up in reds, greens and blues all very picturesque. Another meal and a beer and then a slow walk back. People were still swimming in the open air pool and whole families were barbecuing at the gas BBQs that Cairns provides. It was still in the mid 20’s and balmy. Finished the evening watching the bats, and town / river lights while sitting on the balcony with a nice Shiraz. Sometimes things don’t seem to be able to get better.

Wednesday 26th February (day 23)

Another great day! It started quite early being up at 7.00am. After a shower and no breakfast we walked a few yards to the Reef Terminal. By 8.30am we were on a catamaran going out to Green Island, an island recommended to us by a lady on our flight to Cairns. It is a very small island which is semi undeveloped, if you ignore the coffee shop, small pool, ice cream parlour and dive centre. Here we walked around the island, 30 minutes max to do this. Partway around we were drawn to some turtles swimming a few yards off shore. While looking at them, and standing by the waterside, hundreds of little fish swarmed and jumped out of the sea causing lots of splashing. The reason was some large fish had shepherded them in and then decided to have a large meal! Many little fish jumped out of †the water onto the rocks and small pools and the birds then had their fill. These birds we not shy and were only two or three foot from us, quite a spectacle. We then made our way to the dive centre and hired lycra suit sto stop stingers getting us when swimming and also snorkel and mask. These stingers are jelly fish about the size of a match head but, apparently, very painful. Chris had a practice with the snorkel in the swimming pool as she has never done it before. It was interesting to see her try and master just fixing the snorkel in her mouth yet alone swimming (she decided that she could never play rugby)!? Next a walk down to the beach to try it with salt water and small waves. (Did I mention the air temperature was 31C and the water only 28C?) †She did very well. We then dried off and returned to catch the next boat out to the Barrier Reef platform. After 45 minutes we arrived at the reef and got kitted up and off we went snorkelling The fish and coral were amazing, the colours with the sunshine were vivid and the water was clear. After an hour we had a buffet lunch and followed this with a short twenty minute ride on a semi-submersible. Back to the platform and snorkelling again. This time the crew threw some food off the platform and we we treated to hundreds of fish all around us. Some were nearly two foot long and one in particular bumped you and allowed you to touch and ‘stroke’ it. Truly a great experience. But more was to come. We then dried off and changed and had a briefing before getting on a small motor launch which took us to a small pontoon to board a helicopter (a present from my sons for my 60th birthday). What followed was a 30 minute ride over the Barrier Reef, through a valley, over islands and back to the shore at Cairns. As the Aussies seem to say a lot, ‘awesome’. Back to the hotel and to the pool for some R&R. A swim, the jacuzzi then a beer. This was followed by a drink or two as it is happy (two) hour. A meal at a lively bar called Rattle and Hum which we ordered one meal between us of calamari, makerel, barramundi, saled and chips with dips for £18 with this followed with the inevitable wine on the balcony. Tomorrow is another day and another adventure….