Rainforests and Rivers

20th September
Still with some sea-legs, today we were heading up the hill to Kuranda. Steve and I took the train, which was built last century and displays some incredible engineering! There’s audio of the history of the train and tracks and points out the photo ops, but the funniest thing was the background music – John Williamson! Dad would have loved it, and Steve and I had a good laugh about it. The train takes an hour and a half (a car takes 30 minutes) and it creaks and bangs along the tracks. Getting to the top we headed for the Rain Forestation Park, were we went on an Army Duck ride (ex army vehicles that drive on land and water) where the different plants and animals are pointed out. We then saw a traditional aboriginal show, with dancing before having a go at throwing a boomerang, playing the ‘didge’ and watching them hunt with spears – impressively hitting a post 50 paces away 3 times! Quick walk through the wildlife park to see the crocs, koalas, wombats, turtles, alligators and birds before driving back to town for lunch. A beer and pizza was a good combo before walking back to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that Steve and I took back down the mountain. The view of the rainforest meeting the reef and the aqua blue water was quite spectacular. Back home said goodbye to Steve who was heading to the airport before a nanna nap. Headed into town for 7pm to meet up with the dive guys, where we had a beer ($11 jugs) and dinner at Rattle and Hum. Another dive group had ordered 22 Jagerbombs, and the dominos effect to get the shots into the red bull was impressive! Festival of Cairns was wrapping up, so there were street parades and then fireworks. Tyler and I then headed to the Irish bar for some more drinking and dancing until the wee early hours of the morning. A ‘Coyote Ugly’ bar, they have 3 Coyote gals who dance on the bar on a Saturday night, and then competition where they get people from the crowd up to dance on the bar. 2 heats of 4 guys and gals, all of the blokes ended up with their shirts off, and in the girls final two of them ended up topless – and neither won! Only in Queensland would something like that happen!

21st September
Blah! Here I go again.... too much alcohol and not enough sleep. Decided to go for a swim to feel half human, so dad and I trotted down to the beach, but it was yuck – the water was brown and choppy, so whilst it was warm it wasn’t appealing at all. So a dip in the pool and sunbake (sleep?) on the deck chairs. Went to the shops and wandered around for a bit, got a hair cut and lunch. Back for an afternoon nap before we headed out for a drive to check out the beaches, which were all pretty similar to ours, before ending up at the Yorkey’s Knob Sailing Club which had a Sunday Sess going. Watched the sunset over the harbour before heading back and going to the apartment’s restaurant – Jai’s – which was all candle lit and outside. Very romantic. Had a really nice meal before I took off into Cairns to meet back up with Tyler for a drink (red, not beer!) and we headed to the Casino, where I lost my $10 on the roulette before Tyler tried his luck at blackjack... and had won $150 in about 8 minutes. Lost $50 on the money wheel before going back to roulette and coming out even. Headed home to arrive about 12.30am.

22nd September
Dad wakes way too early! Started banging around at 6 something, and all I felt like doing was sleeping all day. Big day of driving ahead though, so up and at em we were out the door by 9am. My drive first (because at this stage I actually felt half decent) and north to Mossman Gorge. Packed with tourists and locals we spent an hour and a half walking through the rainforest and admiring the river and waterfalls. The water areas were packed with people swimming – quite amazing. Leaving there we headed for lunch at the local Bowling Club – full of pokie machines – and some great cheap food and drinks. Back in the car and headed to Cape Tribulation. Spectacular views on the way, we stopped at Cape Trib for a walk and photos, including butterflies and a racehorse goanna! The water was clean and warm, beautiful! Stopped for a cuppa on the way back, and checked out the AJ Hackett Bungee tower, unfortunately we were too late for a go – ha! Home for leftovers and pack up before heading into Cairns for one last drink, at the Blue Sky Brewery. Last day of singlets, shorts and skirts for a while – the weather had been absolutely perfect the past week!