Friday: Left cold and rainy Sydney at 3:30 PM and arrived in Cairns at around 6:30 PM. From there, we picked up our rental car (a mini Cooper...Paul thought it was super fun) and drove to Port Douglas, a scant hour away. We spent the entire time at the Sheraton, and after about a half hour of searching for the place, we called and asked for direction. We found it, but it was with reason why we couldn't find it. No lights. No markings. After sometime traveling down a road that seemed to lead to nowhere, we ran into it. Otherwise, a lovely stay! It was really cool that the hotel looked like it was in the middle of a huge lagoon, which was the pool that wrapped all around the hotel. Nice to have business class points!
Saturday: We were picked up at 7:50 AM by our scuba cruise company to do three introductory dives. Paul and I were so excited, but the getting out to Tongue Reef (the name of the part we went to) was not easy. The boat rocked and swayed and Paul found himself feeling queasy during our little education on scuba diving. After an hour of the sea tossing us around, we made it. The dives were even better than the ones at the Whitsundays, which suffered from a cyclone a few weeks before we were there. We saw so many interesting things, like an eel, a cleaner shrimp, and even a turtle. Nemo of course was there.
Each dive had such friendly fish that would get right up in your face. Paul and I just loved it. I think that we are going to go ahead and get certified to scuba, since the better dives are with the certified people.
Scuba Steve Rachel
Scuba Steve Paul
The boat, Poseidon, was an excellent company, with good food and great people. Our guide, Gemma was really nice and she just loved to chat with us. The lunch they provided was wonderful and the photographer took great pictures that we can always treasure, and decorate our home with!
That night, we went to the town for dinner and ice cream and then just lazed around. A day of diving sure takes it out of you!
Sunday: Queensland is known for a famous rainforest called Daintree, which is the home of the endangered Cassowary. Unfortunately, we did not see a cassowary, but they are about as tall as an ostrich and look like Kevin from the movie Up. Or, at least I see it that way. We went and hiked in a few areas after we picnic-ed. One place near Myall Creek, we were walking along the beach when we saw a huge monitor lizard like creature that had invaded a couple's picnic area. It was so funny, but Paul did not get the camera in time to take a picture. That's what the blog is for I guess! I found a mini sand dollar though, which I loved. It was very relaxing and we loved the beautiful scenery.
Cassowary friend
Monday: Ugh...we woke up at 3:45 AM so that we could catch our flight in Cairns at 5:40...agony!!! I don't like mornings, especially really early ones. So, now I am here, blogging but still a little on the tired side.
That was our delightful weekend. Monday is a bit terse, I know, but we had to get back in time for Paul to go to work. It's so sad to think that in about two weeks I will be making my way back to Charlotte for my friend's wedding. But I will return, so I don't feel too heartbroken. I will be excited to have a home when we do go back. Anyway, leave a comment, let us know what you think. Toodles!
Sounds so wonderful! You are both so blessed to have such experiences!
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