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Published: February 25th 2008
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So it's been nine days since I posted an entry. I've spent most of the week on various islands where internet access is limited and expensive, so have been waiting until I could use a computer with a memory card slot to upload my photos. Having found one I'm now trying to type fast so that I don't have to put too much money in the slot!
After my last post on Saturday morning in Cairns, we made the short journey to Kuranda in the afternoon. Kuranda is a village up in the mountains behind the city, famous for the various wildlife parks and quirky little market stalls that have grown up there to cater to the tourists. I went to the koala park and cuddled a koala! They're gorgeous - much bigger and heavier than I was expecting, and very furry and dopey. They move really slowly and look up at you with big eyes. I want one to take home!
We made the journey down from Kuranda on the Skyrail which was fantastic. Skyrail is a 7.5km gondola cable car system which takes you down the mountains over the top of the rainforest trees which stretch as
far as you can see in every direction. There are two stops on the way, and at the first one we walked to the viewing point for the Barron Falls which were full of water due to all the rain that Queensland has had recently. They were amazing and so loud! I loved the whole Skyrail trip which was quite unexpected given how scared I was of gondolas in Austria - I think it helped that these ones didn't stop every so often and leave you dangling over a chasm!
That evening we went to an Aboriginal show where we had to take part in the fire dance, shuffling in a circle and banging claves together. We also got free champagne and a huge buffet and it was a really fun evening.
On Sunday we all took a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef which was another highlight of the trip so far. We had to wear full body stinger suits to protect us from the sun and the jellyfish, and these plus the big flippers and snorkel mask made us all look particularly attractive! The reef is absolutely amazing. Above water you can't see anything and
you have no idea that as soon as you put your face in you'll be entering another world full of life. The coral on its own was beautiful to look at, but as soon as I focused and got used to breathing underwater I began to see hundreds of brightly coloured fish that looked like a child had chosen the colours they should be. Some of them were large and solitary, and others were small and travelled in little sparkling schools. I watched them eating and chasing each other, and it was just a brilliant experience. Another buffet and cakes completed the day (I do like my buffets!).
From Monday afternoon to Thursday morning we were on Long Island, part of the Whitsunday group of islands just off the north Queensland coast. On Monday we had our one and only experience so far of the torrential rain that's been falling here so much recently. Ash had to drive the coach through some very deep floods and at one point we weren't sure if we'd even make it to the ferry terminal as more and more of the roads into Airlie Beach were closed. It reminded me a lot of
England last summer! We got there eventually and then had to wade through muddy puddles to get to our rooms. After the four of us had washed our feet and tried to salvage our shoes, the bathroom floor was a sight to behold! In the pouring rain and general greyness the islands didn't look much like the postcards we'd seen at the ferry port.
Next morning however the rain had stopped, and by the afternoon the sun had come out! By Wednesday it was gloriously sunny and hot, and despite liberal suncream application I still managed to get a bit sunburnt. I now have a very attractive bikini strapmark which looks very silly. I drank a cocktail on the beach in the afternoon (they were so weak that it was like drinking juice) and in the evening we sat and listened to a very good singer/guitarist. I spent some time in the hot tub as well which was lovely.
We left the islands on Thursday - I was quite glad to leave by that stage as it was getting a little dull despite the lovely scenery. That day we drove to Rockhampton, stopping at Mackay for lunch where
I had my first paddle in the Pacific Ocean in the bright sunshine. We stayed near Rockhampton at a place called Capricorn Caves, and I went on a guided tour of the caves before dinner which included squeezing through a narrow passage by candlelight and encountering lots of bats - all good fun. They hold 30 weddings in the largest cave each year and we all agreed that we wouldn't fancy slipping along the rocky floors in high heeled white shoes!
I'm now running out of time on the internet so I shall write more soon about Fraser Island, Brisbane and Surfers Paradise. Pictures are attached!
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Naomi
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OK, I officially want a koala bear now! Seriously, it all looks so amazing! So glad you're having a great time hun! xx