I will be travelling to Australia in October. Although a little different of a trip than Lillian’s I will endeavour to blog my way as well.
I am travelling to referee in the World Masters Games, then I travel to Cairns to dive the outer reef for a few days. After that it is wide open. Would like to travel down the coast, although after Cairns I will only have about 5 days left to explore. Would not mind diving the Yongala, might have to wait till next trip.
Missed the Moreton Island tours to go sandboarding. So I went on a quest to find a sandboard to see what they look like.
The public transit system is awesome in Brisbane. For $5.80 AUD I got to use the trains, buses and City Cat all day. The City Cat is the river transit were catamarans pick you up at different locations. You and get off and board all day long. I did the round trip. There’s even a shuttle bus that takes you around the city for free.
I went to three stores before I finally found a sandboard. I need to try this at home.
In appreciation for letting me crash, I treated my host and hostess to dinner and a movie. We saw Wolverine. The flick was “sweet as” as they say here. I think this was more of a treat for myself.
OK…this has nothing to do with the beach but it was the adventure to find the cinema in Indooroopilly and decide on a movie for girls night. Since “He’s just not that into you” is no longer playing in theatres here, Carie decided to watch Gran Torino. Cool flick.
Tuesday night movie was $9. Popcorn and drink was $9.
Did I mention how polite and trusting everyone is here. People just help themselves to popcorn and drinks and then walk to the cashier and pay for it. I would like to believe that system would work in Canada…nah. What a respectful society.
A little R n R is good for the soul. I worked on my MBA on Day 18 and Day 19.
I thought about going to Surfer’s Paradise to go surfing again but I couldn’t get a hold of Marty who offered to lend me his surf board and time. So no surfing for me… 
We took the beautiful drive to Port Douglas for Breakky on Sunday, April 26 at 7 am. You might still need your sea sickness pill as it is a windy road. You drive along the coast where you will see beautiful sites.
Port Douglas is a beautiful town. It’s actually where Steve Irwin was seen last when swimming with the rays.
Port Douglas is about 40 min. away from Trinity Beach. There was an awesome market there. Make sure to wear your seat belt. It’s a $300 ticket and they are pretty strict in Oz about there rules.
Also, if you are going to take Jetstar Airlines, make sure to have the right size luggage or you will get hassled at check-in.
Come back on May 4 to see pics.
Yes. That’s right folks. Sharks. I actually did the scuba dive. I went with a guide for an intro dive. I wasn’t allowed to hold my underwater camera. My first dive. Did I mention I have a fear of deep water and sharks. I was scared and thought I was going to die. Once I got control of my fears…experiencing the Great Barrier Reef from diving was like no other. The guide pointed out a white tip shark (about 6 ft long). I squeaked and grabbed his hands. He signalled the ok. He later pointed to another shark that we ended up swimmingover. I was scared to be that close. I might have even stopped breathing for a bit but if the guide was ok with it…well…I guess I was too.
I saw sea turtles, Nemos, all sorts of colours I didn’t know existed. I was in a whole new world. Despite the sea sickness, I was in a happy place. Wow. All those colours you see in “Finding Nemo” really exist. And sea turtles do look like they are going sky diving. Check out the gallery.
My only regret was not doing the dive the second time when I had a chance.
I will get another chance. I will return. Anyone want to join me?
The best deal ever at the Woolshed in Cairns. So good we did it twice. That was the most expensive meal we could get. The beer glasses were larger than pints…although I can’t remember what the term was for that size.
If you are backpacking, there are hostels that offer free pasta meals that you get from the Woolshed.
My new favorite beer: Cider and Raspberry (Strongbow and Raspberry).
I didn’t mention that I got to drive the sail boat on Day 14. Yes. Another highlight. At the end of Day 14, I took the Greyhound bus to Cairns. It left at 8:30 pm from Airlie Beach and arrived in Cairns at 6:04 am. I then settled in our hotel in Trinity Beach…another beaut.
At 1:30, we were picked up at Trinity Beach to go White Water Rafting on the Barron River. Level 3 rapids. Not bad. I still have bruises from the expedition. One of the rapids called “The Rooster’s Tail” almost kicked our guide off. We could have easily flipped. Luckily we hung on…what a great team.
Pics to come in 2-3 weeks.
I wish I could so you pics from the ScanDisk. Whitehaven Island is a paradise. The sand is white and fine. So fine it squeaks when you walk. There were sharks and manta rays to be seen.
If you go…do the sail. Make sure to bring the sea sick pills.
I have lots of pics…yes…I will have them up by May 4.
Synopsis:
We sailed from Airlie Beach to the Whitsundays Islands to snorkel in a couple of different locations.
What can I say…it was breath-taking. We sailed, we snorkeled, we ate, we raced to Whitehaven Island on the Hammer, a sailboat designed for racing. With the skills and experience behind the captain and crew, and the constant tacking of all 21 passengers (minus one sick filipina who sat at the back of the bus), it was quite the trip.
“Stand by to tack….ok tack! High side left”, the captain would call. The passengers would shift from the right side to the left side of the boat, under the sail an on the rail so we can catch the wind and stay in front of our friendly competitors, The Boomerang.
Our crew was awesome, the passengers mellow and friendly.
What a day. What memories.
Photos to come on May 4.