G'day mate!

Here I am in my last 24 hrs in Austrailia. I can't beleive how the time has flown by as it only feels like I have been here for 5mins! I had a good time up in Cape Tribulation. Well the sun is shining and I'm going to enjoy it at the logoon here in Cairns. Its hot, hot, hot, 35 dgrees hot. After I finish this its off for a swim.

CAIRNS

Hmm. What do I think of it? Well, I arrived at 2.30am in the pouring rain. Yes, its the wet season and its true to form. My first hostel was nice. I had a real bed with a non lumpy mattress and not the tradtional hostel issue of a ricketty bunkbed. I shared my room with 2 people and one of them snored but luckily for him I had no difficulty in getting sleep. . I woke up early and decided to go for walk in the rain to orientate my around the town. The 'lonely planet' book was right by saying that if you couldn't find a travel operator here you would not be able to find porn on the internet... The town is littered with them and they find you. I booked myself on a tour that took me to Cape Tribulation and on the great barrier reef. I was really looking forward to it. I spent much of the day typing up my journal and hiding from the rain in coffee shops. Cairns is the world mecca for diving on the barrier reef. Every other shop is a tour operator offering trips and courses.

CAPE TRIBULATION - Day 1

7.15am start and it was still raining. There were 20 people on the bus. Our journey took us up the scenic coastal road which passes secluded beaches and rainforests. Our first stop was for breakfast and I was glad to get fully caffinated. Next stop was on the Daintree River for a river cruise. We got to see crocodilels, one was called scarface, he was over 6ft long and 60yrs old. We also learnt about the mangroves and its impact on the landscape. I really appreciated seeing the crocodiles in their own habbitat. If they start getting out of control and become too agressive the get shipped to a farm. The locals don't want that to happen and are very protective of the crocodiles. The Marrdja Bottanical Boardwalk was enjoyable. It took you into the thick rainforest where you could feel the rich, heavy, moisture of the atmosphere in this ancient forest. There was a great variety of ferms, fig trees and mangroves. My accomodation in Cape Tribulation was at the 'Beach House'. It was set in the rainforest and close to the beach. The name Cape Tribulation was conferred by Captain Cook as after his ship was grounded on the 'Endeavour' Reef. It seems he didn't have much luck in this beautiful land as he also named places such as, Mt Miseary and Mt Sorrow. Cape Tribulation has breathtaking beauty because the rainforests meet the coral reefs. Its famed for its ancient rainforests, sandy beaches, coral reefs and rugged mountains. The water looked so inviting, however we didn't go in due to the box jelly fish and crocodiles. (a very bad combination). The box jelly fish have nasty stings... I was really excited to see the Cassowarie bird. Its a large flightless bird, (4ft) and it's highly territorial. They have bright colours, blues and red on their heads and their claws are razor sharp. They can run up 40km. I held them with high regard and didn't get too close.

CAPE TRIBULATION - Day 2

It was an early start, 6.40am. For some reason I've been waking and getting up early. I actually woke at 6am from the rain. This was the day I went out to the Makay Reef. Not a good start.... I was picked up at 8.15 and at 8.45am I was on the boat. By this time, it was absolutely pissing down. (not quite what I had in mind). The crossing was rough as .......... If I could have taken a picture of the dark skies and high seas, I would have of, but all I could do was cling onto my seat and hold my stomach down. 3 of the 12 members of my group were ill.

However, as if by magic once we arrived on the reef, the weather became clear and the skies revealed a bit of sun. I was the first one out to snockle and the last one in. The reef was beautiful, colourful and teeming with life, more that what I eyes could comprehend. We were out there for 4 hrs. My highlights were 'finding Nemo's', swimming with giant turtles and stingrays and seeing an octopus. I was also fincinated by the giant clams and the electric blue starfish. I loved the variety of colours and the wired and wonderfuls shapes of the coral. It was a wonderful day. during the evening, I went on a 'jungle walk'. To be honest, I though it was expensive for what it was and over-rated. It was basically a group of 12 people with torches tramping about. Any self respecting bird, animal or insect would have jumped or flown to the next county. We did get to see spiders, ants,crickets, bettles, fire flies and of-course the cane toad, which is a pest....

CAPE TRIBULATION- Day 3 Back to Cairns

At last glorious sun-shine! Typical when I'm travelling on a bus. I spent the morning chilling out, walking along the beach and reading by the pool. I was sad to leave my friend, Tania from Swiziland. She was my drinking, eating and reading partner. Not that we drank very much. I was picked up at 1.20pm to travel back to Cairns. We stopped off at Alexandra Lookout. It overlooks 'Batt Reef' and an island I can't remember the name off. This area has now become even more famous because it was where Steve Irwine died. Our next stop was at 'Mossman' Gorge, a waterhole where people flock to for a swim. It was packed by bloody tourists and backpackers - they get everywhere you know.... There was only a handfull of people who jumped in for a swim and I was one of them. It was so good and such a relief from the hot day. It was a shame we couldn't stay longer. Port Douglas was a nice sleepy town but its where the rich and famous retreat too so its very expensive. I arrived back in Cairns at 7pm.

My hostel in Cairns is pretty dam good. It has a bar, resturant, swimming pool, spa, real beds, clean facilities and best of all, its only 10 pounds a night. The very nice man at the travel agent organised my trip and cheap accomodation.

I had a great time here in Austrialia, it was made all the more special by catching up with friends whom I met along my travels.  Jules from Sydney, Kirsten from Holland and of-course Cath and Bob from Kingscliff.  My next up-date will be in Hong Kong where I will be there for a few days before I fly to Bangkok. Hehe.......

Take care as always

Love Annie.