Seesea Travel Blog

Travel Location: Cairns,Australia

Well, I decided to start a new blog to describe everything we did in Cairns as to put all the troublesome travel in the past and now laugh as it’s pretty funny with a happy ending. We’re in Cairns, and we’re going to have a great time!

Our first day left us still wondering whether or not we needed to rent a second car after having a tight squeeze trying to get four adults into the back of a four door sedan to go out to dinner last night, which didn’t go over well. And poor Nick with his shingle being stuffed in that we figured it would be a good idea to get some extra room. And so, we finally went with Avis once again and had to go back to the airport to pick it up.

Nick decided he wanted to rest up a bit, so he took the day off. We first went to town to booked a snorkel/dive trip for the next day which turned into an hour long conversation at this tourist office learning everything we could do over the next week. And so, our tour for the following day was booked, but we still had to head over to the airport to pick it up.

 

And now we had to work on following each other as we made our way our to Yorkey Beach which was suggested by the Australian Tourist Guide as it would have nets up. It seems that this time a year along this part of the Australian Coast, the jellyfish are in season. The sting of a jellyfish out here ends up not only being painful but it is possible to be deadly. So at certain points, nets are put up to keep the jellyfish out of those waters. However, when we got to the beach, the nets were no larger than a pool making it not worth swimming.

Luckily, there was a lunch spot across the street. Though this lunch spot turned out to be a small shack were we had to track down the owner to make some burgers as he was out of sandwich bread and didn’t have any fries either. The hamburgers came out first followed 20 mins later by our smoothies, but for a one man production it wasn’t half bad. I only became a little annoyed as I pulled out my laptop hoping to get catch up on the blog and log onto the internet for a few minutes, and he saw me but had no sign posted that there would be a charge for usage. The part that got me was that he charged me as much as it would cost to borrow a computer at the internet cafe and acted like he was giving me a deal. Oh well…

 

We gave up on the beach and headed to our second destination which was Crystal Cascades. We wanted to see the waterfalls here, but what this place really was a swimming holes where all the locals go as they can’t go swimming in the ocean this time of year. So we walked around first looking for the Cascades, but gave up and took the plunge into the water to cool down. Jim was the first one to attempt a slide down one of the rock formations but it sort of stops in the middle so he got stuck before he could continue on. We all laughed but Dan and Bill laughed the hardest and both attempted the same slide only to also be caught in the middle only making it funnier as they couldn’t manage it either.

We headed back to check on Nick and to head out to town for dinner. We head to Del Sobero, an Italian restaurant, since we had a coupon. But we got there so early, we had the same discount for being part of the early birds. The meal itself was pretty good, but then we decided to share the dessert for four which gives a bit of variety. We ordered that as everyone else in the restaurant was ordering dinner, so it took forever to finally get it. I thought the wait wouldn’t be worth it but there was a good variety including great sorbets. After dinner, we walked around the night market and decided to call it a night as we’d have an early day the next morning.

 

We got up supper early to get ready to go snorkeling, but we didn’t seem to get out the door when we wanted. As we were on our way, I realized we didn’t have our dive cards. I got a bit frustrated and Bill wanted to turn back but we had no idea where we were going. So finally as we were almost to the dock, I ran out of our car at a red light, and popped open Kathy’s door, almost scaring her to death, as I took them we were heading back. We made it just in time, and we weren’t even the last ones on the boat.

Though as we went through all the paper work for diving, Bill told them about his ear and they were starting to advice him not to dive especially because he hadn’t seen a doctor yet. Finally, as he explained how he did it, they decided to let him go, but Bill promised that he’d return back up if it bothered him. The first spot was for only the beginning divers and snorkeling, and there was suppose to be a sand bar area which was a sudo beach. However, the tide was high and there was no sand bar, which our Australian tour seller told us that this was the best day based on the weather charts for the rest of the week. Oh well…

 

So we swam around as we tried to get use to these masks that kept leaking in water. Though the water was fairly clear and we were starting to see all types of fish. I was a little disappointed because other spots where I’ve snorkelled where more impressive, and I had such great expectations for the Great Barrier Reef.

Spot number two finally came up and it was time for all the certified divers to get suited up. We don’t get wet suits here since the water is so warm but everyone is given stinger suites to keep the jellyfish away though the ones out by the reef are not deadly just annoying. The bonus to these suits is that you don’ t have to worry about sunscreen when snorkelling.

And so, after jumping in the water, and collecting our dive group we started our decent to the bottom though just as we got to the bottom, I saw Bill motion our guide and he started ascending again. This was going to be my first dive without him. Though as I started to look around, I noticed how cloudy the water was and it was hard to see anything. As we continued further down, I was having trouble equalizing my eyes. I was still doing okay, but the cloudy water made this trip not very enjoyable and we went further down I could just feel my ear ringing and pounding. I motioned to the guide, and he told me to go up a bit.

 

But as I kept rising, I was already at the surface and my ear still hadn’t equalized. So I decided to head back to the boat. They had given us life savers, but I couldn’t remember how to blow it up. So I tried waving it around, but I couldn’t get anyone’s attention from the boat. Later, Bill told me I have to use my regulator to blow air into it to get it to inflate, gee that makes sense. And so, I struggle my way back to the boat to figure out that the rescue boat doesn’t work as one of the crew is working on it. I see my dive guide a while later, and he wonders where I went. Though he never did surface to find me like they say they’re going to. But I explained how I couldn’t equalize even on the surface and at that point my eye was still ringing and completely plugged which actually lasted for the next few days.

Bill became a dolphin for the rest of the afternoon, and I enjoyed the glass bottom boat where I learned more about the coral. And we were told that all the fish scare from the boat, but we still saw quite a few fish and many giant clams. After a long day out at sea where I finally didn’t get sea sick, we went back for a quite evening where Jim grilled up some good grub.

 

The next day we drove north to Daintree National Park. Our first stop became Mossman Gorge as Bill took the wrong turn, but we ended up doing a 3 km walk through the rain forest which was quite enjoyable even through all the sweat making your shirt stick to your back. We had to start by heading out over a suspension bridge, and with Kathy’s fear of heights, the boys had fun jumping up and down as she tried to steady herself leaving marks on her hands from her tight grip.

We then headed the way we had intended and had to cross a ferry. There are no bridges out to Daintree, but a ferry that runs every 30 mins from each side. Though as we were on the ferry, Bill tries to get out of the car to get a photo and on the loudspeaker you hear, “Everyone please stay in your cars.” And so, Bill had to get back inside. Then stopped for lunch as a cute little place called Temptation Cafe where I ate too much because I had to order nachos as well as my BLAT! (bacon lettuce avocado tomato, what a great improve to the BLT).

 

We then drove all the way out to Cape Tribulation where the views are supposed to be breathtaking. Now since it was cloudy when we arrived, the view was nice but a bit of sun shine could have gone a long way. We still walked a long the beach a bit seeing if we could find any crocodiles, and thought we had but came up empty. Then we went out to the viewpoint, but the rain caught up with the gloom, and we ran out to view point to get soaking wet. But at least it cooled us off.

Kathy had seen the Daintree Ice Cream shop which had ice creams made of all the fruits of the forest. I settled on the chocolate covered banana which was pretty tasty. And had a bit of Bill’s but the one I tried seemed a bit bitter. Though now we had to rush over to the Canopy Walk which was the reason why we came out here as it closed at 5pm which was only 30 mins away.

We arrived, we got 50% off for being here so late. And this canopy walk seemed more like an amusement park where we had thought it was part of the forest walk. Anyhow, we went straight up to the observation tower and took pictures from the top. We were told we’d only have time for this, but we still had plenty of time to take the long way back. Though we didn’t read about all the trees as we would have if we had more time, well, Bill would have.

 

And we headed back to town to have some dinner. Dan mentioned that he wanted to try some kangaroo, so Bill got out the trusty Lonely Planet to find a restaurant called Orche. It took a bit of finding, but we finally got there. And Dan got some roo. Bill and I had already tried some of my dad’s at the awful Jazz restaurant, so we’d already had our fill. But Dan seemed to like it, but Jim got the sampler plate which included crocodile and stuff as well. So he shared with Dan, and Dan got his fill of exotic food. Though the service was slow again, maybe it’s all restaurants in Australia?

The next day we headed off to see the rain forest from above in the Gondola. However, we stopped in town at our “trusty” Australian guide office intending to book a snorkelling trip for Wednesday, but he promised the weather would be better on Thursday, so that’s the day that was booked. I became a bit worried if I could dive as we were flying the next day. But I’ll worry about that on Thursday, off to the rain forest we finally go as that stop took longer than expected.

 

The Gondola takes us all the way to Kurunda with two stops in between. As we got to the first stop, we met up with the rest of the DeKeyser’s who had their own Gondola and walked around the forest. It felt like we were walking another canopy. Though we’d just missed the guided walk and rushed to catch back up with it, as we learned it against the law to feed a Cassowary bird. This is because once you start feeding them, they won’t leave you alone, and they’ll run after you looking for more food. Though it might be quite humorous to watch others being chased.

Just before we get to the second stop, we see a spectacular waterfall flowing from at least 400 meters straight down into the river. Though the water is a bit mudding looking so it looked like it was Wonka’s chocolate waterfall. We walked around the second stop looking at different view of the Barren Waterfall. When you see waterfalls as big as this one and the one we saw on the Milford track, it just makes all the other ones look so small.

 

And we made it to Kurunda, where our first goal was lunch. Since no one had a better idea, Bill suggested the pie shop. My first thought is dessert, but these are of the meat pie source. I wasn’t too keen but decided on a spinach and feta roll. Well, it turns out there isn’t much spinach or feta but mainly potatoes and onions. Guess I missed the fine print. After lunch we took the forest walk around the outer area of town.

Kathy got startled as she saw some crocodiles. However, these crocodiles turned out to be the shadows of the gondolas flying overhead and not any crocs in the water. But anyone could have made that mistake. And so, I took a rest as everyone else went back to town for ice cream. And then, we made our way home where Jim once again grilled some good grub. Though this time it was fish and shrimp which it was nice to have a quite meal at home.

The next morning Bill and I got up before the sun even rose to take a hot air balloon ride. We were picked up a 4:00am. And took a nap as we made the journey up to Mareeba which is inside a valley making great conditions for piloting these huge balloons. The company we were with does two 30 mins rides, and we happened to be on the second ride.

 

So we spend time “balloon chasing” which really means we go to a parking lot to see where these balloons land as they don’t go that far in 30 mins. But then it was our turn to get into the balloon. And it started to go further and further up and before we knew it, we were 3000 ft above the ground. It looked like monopoly right below us with all the houses being so tiny.

The other balloon in our company was the kangaroo one that went up after our balloon did and down before ours. We were up in the air for about 50 mins as our pilot was having trouble getting into the landing area. As he finally made it into the right area, he got us into landing position, which is turned one directions with our knees slightly bent, and I finally learned why we’re put into this position. He warned us it was be bumpy landing, but before I knew it we were hitting the ground and then dragging a bit until the whole basket fell to the side with us being on the bottom. I didn’t have to climb out of this balloon but crawl out from our crash landing. That was a new experience.

 

We were in a field full of things sticking to our clothes and feet, but now it was time to help put away the balloon as it nicely fits into a box shaped canvas bag. And we rode out of the batch holding along side of the truck carrying the balloon and basket. And our trip followed by a champagne buffet breakfast. And we were home before Nick and Dan were even up.

Bill and family went down south for a canopy walk. I passed as I was tired after ballooning and just wanted to take an easy day typing on the blog and getting our stuff organized again. As Kathy and Jim had brought us a whole suitcase we’d packed before leaving in case we wanted to change out some clothes and wear different things again. So it almost felt like leaving again as I had to make decisions again, which when it comes to packing, I just plan can’t decide or choose too much as my dad always points out.

With Michelle relaxing at the hotel, the rest of us piled into our car to drive around the Wooroonooran National Park. We started out by winding our way up and over the coastal mountains that seperate the coast from the Atherton Tableland. As we drove up we were afforded spectacular views out over the coast. Once we got to the top we were in a rich farming valley where everything was a vibrant green. There were a number of small lakes and rivers that wound through this area.

 

After lunch we headed to the waterfall circuit to see where these small rivers tumbled out of the mountains. Millaa Millaa Falls formed the perfect swimming hole with a waterfall you could swim under providing the back drop. However the large crowd, and other opportunities to go swimming at other places along our route. So we continued on to a two other small waterfalls, and then back across the national park to the coast.

We stopped at a canopy walk through the rainforest thats path was cleared a few years ago by cyclone Larry. The walk was nice, and some of the unique features of this canopy walk were the large cantilever walkway out over the cliff. This was essentially like the plank of a pirate ship. It stuck out over the cliff by some 60 feet with no supports under it, and had a glass bottom so you could look down. My mother, however, was petrified by the fact that it swayed noticably as we walked out onto it. It also had a large observation tower that took you up well above the canopy for a birds eye view of the rain forest.

 

On our way back we had planned on stopping by another waterfall to go swimming, but storm clouds started to roll in and cover the sun, making it not much like swimming weather so we decided to just head back and see how Michelle was doing.

They came back for me and the first thing on everyone’s mind was, let’s eat. Nick already disenchanted with Australian restaurant wait time picked Outback Jacks which he compared to TGI Fridays hoping that the service might be a bit quicker. He was sadly mistaken as we started to wonder if they even served food as all sorts of people had ordered, but no one actually had food at their tables. Finally, the food came out and it was more like the size portions of Claim Jumpers which was good because we were all hungry.

The next morning, it was time for our final day in Cairns, and our final time out along the Great Barrier Reef. After our last excursion, I really wasn’t that excited plus, I also knew Bill couldn’t go diving with me and that was the reason we’d became certified in the first place. Our boat rented under water cameras, but without Bill diving as well, I just passed, sort of a mistake as you all will miss out on the reef I saw but I really enjoyed this trip.

 

At first, I was worried about flying and doing three dives, but I was rest assured that as long as I was flying at 9 am, I would be able to do all the dives. And so, before I could relax on the boat, divers were being called for a briefing. I went downstairs to hear the typically speech, but I was actually trying to pay attention because I still wasn’t all that familiar with all the gear and with each company it changes slightly.

Before I knew it, we were all suiting up, and I my dive guide, Scott, was giving me fins, a mask, a stinger suit, and some weights. The mask wouldn’t stick to my face, so he return which a much nicer mask which made me happy as for once I didn’t have any trouble with my mask. And the best part of the group I was in was the dive partner I was given, Natalia from Argentina. She was travelling alone, so we became instant friends under the water.

She was great at pointing out fish, eels, or stingrays I may have missed. I tried to point out a few things, but she never seems to see what I was pointing at or it was just obvious, so I kept to letting her point out. Some of the fish we were able to see were the great barracuda, eels, and pike fish. However, when we returned from the first dive, she was extremely sea sick which I’m all too familiar with. So I was able to get her some water and pills as I was so excited I wasn’t.

 

I saw Bill and family for a brief period before it was time for the second dive. I started to ask Natalia a few questions about her trip, and pieced together that she’d make it out to California after we returned from our trip and wanted to give advice on what to do in Argentina, and give us her cousin’s email as he owns a clean hostel. But more than that was tough as she was feeling sicker and sicker, but once we were under the water she looked much better.

The second dive was my favourite probably because on the first dive I started to relax a bit and realized I’d be fine without Bill and actually have a really great time. But as we made our decent to the bottom, our guide was at the bottom with some fish food. Next thing I know the fish are swarming all around us and the photographer is capturing all this, however, I didn’t like any of my pictures. Then I’m handed a huge sea slug looking like a giant caterpillar, and if you rub your hand across its belly, it’ll start to stick to you. It felt really slimy.

 

Some of the other fish we saw were razor fish, blue spotted sting ray, hump head parrot fish, and of course, nemo who hide in the sea anaemia and when the waters waves them, then they come out and you can see them. They are really cute, I can see why a movie was made, and now hardly anyone refers to them as clown fish.

We continued along in the hopes of seeing some sea turtles, and we saw not only one but two. The first one was feeding, and so our guide took a piece of what the turtle was feeding and feed it to him. And then we all took turns going down and touched its shell. Later we saw another one swimming along by the coral as we start to head through a cave. I was having a little bit of trouble weighing down in the water, so the cave became a little difficult to swim through as I tried really hard not to touch any coral.

As we got to the other side, our guide had out the food and loads of fish were once again swarming us. But it was time to start our ascent and finally aboard the ship, I realized all the snorkelers where still out. Lunch was out, but I was waiting for everyone to come back in until I heard a 10 minute call before they closed lunch. So I hurried to fill my plate, to finally run into Kathy who told me they ate while we were diving.

 

I was debating whether I wanted to go on the last dive or not since as soon as I finished eating, it was time to go once again. But I went for it! This dive wasn’t as nice as the second as we didn’t go down as deep, and by this time in the day, I was a bit tired. But our guide had told us on the ship about the electric blue nutty brigs since it’s mating season for them. So he tried hard to take two of them and place them in the sand as he’s doing a handstand look with his flippers up in the water as he tries to get these two little creatures to mate. But two strikeouts until the third coupling who must have actually liked each other curled up into one ball together as they mated. We also saw green tree fish and flowery cod. And before I knew it, I had completed three dives on the Great Barrier Reef, not bad for a day.

That night we took it easy as I told my diving stories and Bill was jealous. Jim cooked again, and Bill and I stayed up trying to pack. But in the morning, we finally finished to Kathy’s amazement. And it was time to say goodbye once again!

 

The airport was so easy this time that it’s not even worth writing about except for the pilot who likes quick take offs and steep descents which didn’t help Bill’s hurt ear or my plugged ears, but we survived and landed in Sydney.

Michelle (with a blurb by Bill)