Tjapukai Aboriginal Park

Went to dinner and a show here last night. W as a great thing to do on my last night here.

Glass of wine on arrival, and then we were all painted up in face paint. (Photos on my camera so will have to wait for those!)

Issues some clapping sticks and had to join a long line and follow some men to the fire pit where we sang chants and danced around the fire, resulting in fire being made from sticks which was then thrown on a spear across the river making a big fire.

Some warriors then carried the fire back down the river on a canoe and we had to chant and follow them into dinner which was a really nice buffet.

 

Enjoyed dinner with a lovely man from Italy and a great couple from Tasmania who I'd met earlier on the bus.

 

After dinner was some dancing and story telling and then out to the fire for some photo opportunities.

 

A lovely way to spend my last night in Cairns.

 

Better get packing now. Have to be at the airport in a couple of hours.

 

 

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Crocodiles, Snakes and A Very Hot Day

 

There is a Malayan proverb that says : "Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm."

How fascinating these primitive creatures are. I spent today at hartleys crocodile and wildlife adventures. Those crocodiles are amazing. you wouldn't even know they are in the water and the next minute they are jumping and jaw snapping at some proffered food.

 

 

 

 

The better. pictures are again on my camera, so will need to wait until I'm united with my computer? tu an awesome day.

 

 

 

Had salt and pepper crocodile for lunch. Kinda tasted like chicken really.

 

I've eaten lion, leopard, crocodile, python. I don't recommend lion. It tastes exactly like when a tomcat comes into your house and sprays. Snake and crocodile are great - a cross between lobster and chicken.

Wilbur Smith

 

The baby croc was quite cool to hold, really soft. Completely not what I expected.

 

The snake on the other hand.....! The lady took a photo and then said she didn't think it was great and maybe she should take another one. I assured her it would be fine and to get the damn thing off me straight away. You could really feel it's muscles and it's power and strength trying to squirm around on you!

 

Another great day. Although hot again. Hit over 26 today. It's supporting though how quickly you get used to the temperatures. I think I'm in for a rude surprise when I land in NZ tomorrow night!

Off to a dinner and show at the aboriginal centre tonight.

 

And then packing in the morning. Have to be at the airport by 10 am.

 

 

 

 

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Wonders of the World

Spent Wednesday out on the Great Barrier Reef. There's a reason it's called on of the natural wonders of the world. The coral was incredible, and the fishes just simply amazing.

 

Snorkelled in the 25 degree water, not even needing a wet suit. The underwater scenery was just amazing. I have photos on a USB but need a computer to load them.

 

Took advantage of a scenic helicopter tour on offer top see the reef from above. No wonder there were so many shipwrecks here. It must have been such a hazard for ships when it wasn't known about!

 

Beautiful 25-26 degrees most of the day out there.

 

 

Might have to put visitng the other wonders of the world on the to do list if they are all as amazing as this one!

 

 

Didn't do much last night. Had an early sleep, after doing some washing. Worn out from a long day in the sun.

 

Off to an crocodile park this morning. Those things really fascinated me the other day so thought I'd spend a day with them!

 

 

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Conquering the Fears

Tuesday was slightly shorter in length than Mnday but still packed a lot in.

Picked up at 8.15am and headed out to gondolas on road north.

We went on a pretty amazing gondola ride over the rainforest. A couple of stops part way to go on short boardwalk torus of the rainforest.

I can remember being really wary of gondolas in Rotorua and Queenstown, and even the big wheel in Brisbane. But when you are travelling by yourself with no one to encourage you to do these things, you either have to do them or not.

The gondola ride was high, but beautiful. As was the rainforest.

In Kuranda, where the gondola ride finished there was a big bazaar with lots of crafts and markets in it. Wandered around for ages with some people I met on the gondolas. And there was a pretty nice Scottish fudge shop. Sampled the strawberry chocolate fudge and had to buy a pot of it!

Went to a butterfly farm with amazing coloured tropical butterflies.

Then took the steam train for a 2 hour trip back to Cairns.

Got back to the hostel about 6pm, had a few wines with people at the hostel and then wandered out for some dinner.

About to head off for a day on the reef. Hoping not to get too sick getting there!

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Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef

 

 

Cairns- where the rainforest meets the reef, is the slogan, and how true it is. Spent yesterday on a a tour up to the Daintree rainforest. Floated down a river with alligators- in a boat of course! Saw some amazing vegetation- plants and animals and even an incredible little beach in the middle of the rainforest. Met some cool people from all over the world. And learnt some pretty cool stuff about rainforests too.

 

 

Most photos are on my camera not phone so will have to wait until I can get on a computer to download them. (Although I just discovered a little room with a few computers in it at the hostel so might have a go seen as I get back earlier today.) Lots do people on the tour getting me to take photos of them on the beach- which appeared to be a real novelty for some people. I only hope all those poor people don't get home to blurry, headless photos!

 

 

Some great graffiti on the road signs made for interesting spotting as well.

 

 

Left the hostel at 6.45 and didn't get back till after 7pm. Missed the hostel pizza and pool so headed uptown and found a pub to have dinner at. Ended up talking to a guy who originally came from Kotemaori- between Wairoa and Napier. The big wide world is actually a smaller place than you realise sometimes!

 

It's now 7.30am Tuesday and I'm off to Kuranda soon. Gondola over the rainforest, aboriginal tour and steam train back to Cairns. It's raining a bit right now. Hopefully will ease up soon.

 

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First Impressions Sunday July 13

 

Left Auckland early this morning. Arrived in Cairns 11am, Brisbane time.

 

Dumped my pack in a locker at the hostel seen as it was about 3 hours too early to check in and wandered around Cairns for a couple of hours getting my bearings.

 

The lagoon pool, kind of like this big public infinity pool right on the shore of the ocean was pretty cool. Although the number of young, skinny, bronzed girls lying on every available surface is slightly off putting to the not young, not skinny and not bronzed.And yes, I know, I can hear a couple of you asking for photos! Was going to take some for you guys but thought I might look like too much of a perve!

 

Walking around for a couple of hours in the 25 degree heat certainly worked up a sweat even if I didn't find any steps to climb! Am on the second floor of the hostel though- 20 stairs and I've done it at least 10 times today plus a couple of sets in the shopping mall opposite!

 

Sat in a bar and listened to some cool live music with a couple of beers this afternoon. Chatted to a couple of people in the bar, and another couple back at the hostel. Have to say though, Cairns seems very full of young people here to party.

 

Going up north tomorrow: Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest. A big day.

 

It's now 7.30 pm Brisbane time and I've been up since 4.45am NZ time so might get organised for tomorrow's 12 hour tour and try to get a good sleep in so I can tackle the rainforest walking tomorrow with vim and vigour.

Make the most of having a room to myself at the moment!

 

 

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Everyone Takes Their Own Steps

"Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children."

There haven't been a lot of steps to climb in a cold rainy KatiKati but I've seen a lot of steps taken.

From a 15 month old niece  taking steps and getting into everything with a supreme confidence in herself, to the 12 year old nieces who all of a sudden seem way older than the last time I saw them 6 months ago.

Spent the morning trawling photos in albums and on the computer to make a photo story for dad's birthday celebrations tomorrow. Always fun matching up photos and music.

Found a series of photos that tell the story of siblings through the years.

And a photo of Sam and me from 20 years ago, and one from Christmas just last year. Our children sure do grow up!

Be great to catch up with family and friends tomorrow. Sad that not everyone can be there but that's how it goes as we all grow up and move away to different places and have other commitments.

We know everyone that can't be there in person, is there in thought.

"Treasure what you have today, for yesterday is past. Appreciate the love of family and friends, for the time they are here."

A Brand New Journey - Wednesday July 11

So I thought I should blow the cobwebs off this old BLOG seen as I’m off on more journeys this school break.

I remember when we were in Poland, Jono asked me if now that I’d done that trip I was gutsy enough to travel by myself. 

At the time my answer was no. But then it was the day after I’d got lost and panicked at an airport.  By the end of another week I was thinking that maybe I could.

So this is my first step on that journey.

Just for a week, and just in Australia- where its very easy to get on a plane and come home if something goes wrong. And everyone speaks English.

But small steps turn into big steps. Who knows where I’ll venture to next.

So if last time was just about trying out the whole traveling thing, this time I’ve a few small goals in mind.

1. I’m staying in a hostel, not because its cheap but because I want to force myself to socialise with other people, different people, people I don't know. Not something I find particularly easy to do.

2. I have to completely organise everything myself, not rely on anyone else. I want to do a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and one to the rainforest, and I want to wander around Cairns. And I need to know that I can wander around and find my way to places and back again. Hopefully without walking two hours the wrong way first.

And then, as another side goal, I need to find steps to climb- every day. Lots of them. Because when we go back to school we are taking our learning community on a trip round the East Cape for a week and one day we are walking up to the East Cape lighthouse which apparently has about 700 steps to climb. And I really want to be able to do it with them.


I’m currently in Auckland, having been at an unconference. I’m heading down to Tauranga for a couple of days tomorrow. Dad’s 80th birthday celebrations are at the weekend and then back to Auckland and off to Cairns for the better part of  next week.

I’ve been to the movies a couple of times since getting here on Sunday, and both times, although I looked longingly at the elevator I climbed the stairs instead.

Today I was walking back from the mall to the motel and I saw a different way with lots of stairs so away I went. 71 steps in all. Only have to do that 10 times to master the lighthouse!! And because I came out a a different place than the other times I’ve walked to the mall I started walking the wrong way. However I also used the landmarks around me to realise that within a minute and turn around.

Todays 71 steps at Westfield Mall, Albany

Tonight I’m going to work on Goal 1. Its miserable out, and it was tempting to grab something cold from the mall and bring it back to the motel for dinner. But I walked past a bar/restaurant to get back from the mall so I’m going to venture out and have dinner and a drink there. Even if I don’t talk to anyone its better than sitting in front of the TV in the motel room like I would have done in the past.

“Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another.” (Dan Poynter)