Up in the tropics....part 2

Well, only a very quick entry for me tonight as I have things to do, places to be... :)

I am on a bit of a high today though. I have completed Day 2 of my Open Water dive course and thankfully passed my exam with flying colours. Tomorrow I leave for two days of living aboard a dive boat and of course, diving all about the outer reef. I can not wait! I do have a little of that nervous energy floating about, but am very ready to get right in to the open water where the real action is.

Before starting my dive course, I did a day trip to Kuranda. To get to Kuranda I took the scenic railway which is about an hour and a half trip. Absolutely stunning winding and weaving around all that rainforest. I was so glad I decided to take the train trip there. Kuranda itself did not impress me at all though. It's just one of those typical towns purely set up for tourists. Outdated hippy markets, over ridden with tacky tourist stores, everything completely overpriced. It's such ashame as it is located in such a beautiful spot...rivers, waterfalls, rainforest etc. They have just ruined it though by going completely overboard on pandering to international tourists and the like. I am all for touristy destinations, after all I have spent the better part of the past 10years being one! But there are limits. And Kuranda does not appear to have any?

To make up for my disappointment of the town, I caught the Skyrail back to Cairns. It's a cable car ride over the canopy of the rainforest. Again, just stunning. And to witness the rainforest from above really is spectacular. You could jump off at various points to do some walks through the rainforest. I jumped off at two points which had some great look outs and great little walks. You have to experience it to appreciate it...like so many things in life really! All in all the day was worth it for the train and skytrain trips alone.

Other than that, met a few interesting and fun people along the way. Had a token night out which started with a very nice, posh dinner at a fantastic restaurant called Plantation. The food was sensational. And even better, a young American paid the rather pricey bill! I refused he do so many times, however in the end....what do you do :) For a very civilised beginning to the evening, 3 of us (a crazy Glaswegian also joined us) ended up at the Woolshed, a well known backpacker haunt where we drank many wines and danced the night away. Much fun was had and a slightly sore head was felt the following morning. What can I say...some things never change!

Well, time to go pack for my dive trip! Stay tuned for more later...

Up in the tropics

Well it's just about a year to the day since I last wrote on my blog. I guess with everyday life and boring old work, thing's just don't seem so interesting to write about these days? And I doubt anything that anyone else would really want to read either! But now it's holiday time, so that's another story. What better time to start blogging away once again...

So I am up in far North Queensland right now. Cairns to be precise. Just a short 9 day break, but well earned! And I have to say I really like Cairns. Most people I speak to are not fans of this big ol' country town. But I really, really like it. It's so relaxed, everybody is super friendly and hospitable. The weather is fabulous. Balmy 26 degree days in the middle of winter...can't beat that! All the old Queenslander's. The beautiful lush, green surroundings. It has a really nice feel to it and I enjoyed my first two days hanging about and lapping it all up. Yes, my first two days consisted of checking out the town, strolls along the esplanade, a visit to the night market, some pampering, some lounging by the pool, generally winding down...you get the picture :)

Day three I ventured further North with a trip up to Cape Tribulation. Had a few little stops along the way. First Palm Cove which reminded me of a cross between Palm Beach in Sydney and the main drag of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Another former sleepy town turned trendy, however very quaint all the same. Port Douglas was another stop. One place Christopher Skase could be proud of. What a great little location. Now this tiny town may too be trendy and full of money, but you can see a lot of thought went in to it's making and it really has a great feel to it. Even being all trendy and popular, there is still something "real" about the place. They have designed it perfectly. I would definitely return for a little getaway to this little piece of paradise.

Mossman Gorge was another stop. Now this place is amazing. My nature nerd self was oozing with delight while doing a bit of hiking around this beautiful place. All mountainous and rainforest, it was absolutely divine. I could have stayed here for days. I surprise myself when I get so excited about flora and fauna...maybe I really am in the wrong business? If only I had booked another week of leave, I would have definitely spent quite a bit more time here and Port Douglas for that matter!

As for Cape Tribulation, it was exactly how the postcards look. Add quite a few tourists swanning about on the beach. Again, it was really lovely but I have to admit it had nothing on Mossman Gorge. That place was truly the highlight for me so far. But the Daintree as a whole is really spectacular. It is certainly nothing like I had imagined this little piece of the world would be like.

I also did a boat trip down one of the rivers...the name escapes me right now? However it was well worth it as I saw 4 croc's in the wild! Lazing on the muddy river banks, basking in the sunshine. One in particular was absolutely massive. Thank god these trips don't do any crazy crocodile feeding to bring them closer to the boat. Watching from a few meters away was quite sufficient. I have never seen a croc in the wild here in Australia. I saw alligators in the Bolivian jungle, but they have nothing on these gigantic beasts!

Well, I definitely have more to report but my Internet time is just about up. I will post this entry to please those few family members who like to continually ask when am I ever going to update the blog again....so this is for you :)