Cairns Trip

Dan making his mark on PD's famous Four Mile Beach...
see all photos »

Ok, so basically we've been pretty rubbish so far at keeping our blog up to date. But we're on holiday! So be prepared for a really quick recap of all the fun and games we've been up to 'down-under' the last few weeks. Here goes...

We'd only been in Australia for one night when the next day we jetted off for a few days to Port Douglas, just north of Cairns in Northern Queensland. We checked into a self-catered apartment at the Mandalay, and it was really nice - thanks very much Dad and Moo :). Highly recommended for anyone travelling up yonder, especially as it is right near the beach (although we were all scared by the crocs that *apparently* patrol the shore).

It takes some guts to jump into the water; especially when there are big fish nibbling at your flippers!

Nat & Dan on the train leaving Kuranda...
see all photos »

The following day was Dan's 21st birthday (*yay*). Thanks so much to everyone who called, e-mailed, sent pressies, thought of me in spirit etc. Anyways, we spent the day exploring 'PD' and checking out all the shops and cafes etc. For anyone who hasn't been to PD before, it could easily have been Amityville in the Jaws movies. Boardwalk style-shops and beach-chilled atmosphere are abound. One guy apparently turned up for a short vacation, and is still there 15 years later.... now that's chilled. In the evening, we all went to a VERY special restaurant that went by the name of Nautilus. It was set away from the main street, in amongst the rainforest canopy. The first thing we thought was that it was an Ewok tree-village from the Star Wars movies; although there is no way that the Ewok's could afford the prices of the food - lots of moojah! We had fantastically "innovative" food, such as "the best beef in the world" (hmm!?) and "accompanied by a fruit that oozes out natural chocolate..." (yah...!?). Anyway, we had a great evening, despite Dad going blue when he saw the bill...

The object was to skilfully race your cane toad off the table with a party whistle...
see all photos »

The next day, we took a cable car up into the mountains, up to a place called Kuranda. While the girls shut their eyes the boys enjoyed the most incredible views over the rainforest canopy. These carts go HIGH - we're talking 100's of feet above the treetops, held on by only a thin thread of metal, easily severed or snapped, or unhooked.... (*Dan*: now Nat is exaggerating..). While the village at the top was overly touristic, the 1 and a half hour train ride back down the moutain side was pretty spectacular, although it did venture worryingly close to the cliff face of the Mossman gorge. Once again it was time for Nat to close her eyes... (*Dan*: sigh...)

The cleverely placed, 'very shiny', "real" crocodile that didn't move, even when the tide was rising...
see all photos »

The following day we all drove one hour north up to the Daintree Rainforest and river, where we took a Crocodile-spotting cruise. Despite a very helpful guide, and generally enjoyable trip, we couldn't help but be suspicious of the one croc that we did see who shone remarkably like plastic in the sun... and the one frog, and one bird; all perfectly poised for a photo and seemingly immobile - no matter what... Still, 10/10 for Harry's intuitive questions, including "do crocodiles go down waterfalls accidentally?". Our guide was ready to tempt the plastic croc ridden waters to escape Harry's constant questions... Even the two Yank tourists couldn't get a word in!

Nat & Dan in their very attractive 'stinger'suits. And yes, there were even hoods..
see all photos »

That evening was possibly the highlight of our whole trip. We spent an evening in the dodgiest (and most dirty) looking pub in the whole of PD, possibly Queensland - everything literally stuck to the table! The "Iron Bar", as it was called, even made Follies look inviting! But we were not there for the bar's airs and graces - we were there on a greater mission. We were there to Cane Toad race... For anyone who has never seen a Cane Toad, let us quickly explain that these guys are the vermin of Australia. They were imported by a farmer many moons ago to rid his cane of beetles, and after an ickle accident, there are now millions all over Queensland - oops. They have therefore become lawn-mower, golf club and footie kicking fodder! Cane toad killing has almost become the national sport! Honestly!

Sunny Port Douglas.
see all photos »

The last day of our trip up north to Cairns, saw the grand finale - a day out on the Great Barrier Reef !( on the Agincourt Ribbon reefs to be precise) . As we had Dan's younger brother and sister, we chose to go with Quiksilver; a company that took you out to a big floating pontoon in the middle of the reef. We won't lie that when you actually get out there, sitting on the edge of that pontoon, it takes some guts to jump into the water; especially when there are big fish nibbling at your flippers! Furthermore, it didn't help that the first thing Dan saw was a white-tipped reef shark... No giant sea turtles to be found, but plenty of giant rainbow coloured fish and of course.. loads of coral...

All in all the Cairns trip was a great success! Even if the weather wasn't as hot as we were promised it would be. Whatever happened to the hot Aussie winter that you see in Neighbours?!