Cairns and Cape Tribulation

In the next few days we did little more than explore Cairns and enjoyed our free dinner! - actually went to the casino at one point at bet $20... i won a little and then eventually lost it. - that's my gambling done then ;)



We also had plans to go to the Lagoon Beach by the sea (the real beach is not nice since shipping have churned up the ground and it is now all mud), but since Saturday, the weather has been REALLY bad!?!! Like misty and raining every day, very grey and not what is expected in Cairns at all.



Luckily for my day trip on the monday to Cape Tribulation, the weather brightened up a little.

CAPE TRIBULATION

Today was the day for my first East Coast adventure. As Sarah did not have the funds for this trip, I decided to take it on my own. I was picked up outside my hostel at 7.25am, having been waiting since 6.45am; I learned my lesson from almost missing the Airport shuttle. It turned out I was the first person to be picked up, so it was very easy for the 2 tour guides, Debra and Margie (one training) to remember my name. The rest of the bus was a variety of different nationalities, American, German, French, Belgium, Dutch, Italian, Spanish... and some kind of oriental.

We drove for a little bit to get some breakfast if we had not had any, so I got a latte (yes for some reason I have gotten into them over here... i blame Starbucks) to make sure I was awake so I could take it all in.

The history of Cape Tribulation, is that Captain Cook's ship got stuck on the reef and could not be moved for 28 hours, so he decided to call the area Cape trouble on account of the trouble they had experienced; which was later changed to tribulation. It is famous as being the only place where the Rainforest meets the Reef. The Daintree rainforest apparently houses more endagered species than the amazon.

After the 'breakfast', we travelled to the Daintree river for some tea and biscuits and a trip on the crocodile express. (for some reason my camera decided to take pictures in sepia for the opening.) We were talked through the trip by the slightly crazy driver but he was very funny.



Within minutes we saw our first crocodile. As it turned out, we had come at the best time of year, as when it's winter and the water is a bit cooler, the crocodiles need to come out and bask in the sun to give them the energy that they need. In summer, the water is warm enough and it's sometimes hard to see them - this is also more dangerous as they can be nearer the boat than intended. The first crocodile we saw was a small one, about 4 years old.



We then went over to the other side of the river, where the wind was less and the sun shining. Here we found the dominant male of the river, who is called 'SCARFACE'. He is 4.5 meters in length and so called because he is very agressive and battles with any other males, so has many many scars. There is apparently another crocodile called 'Uncle Alfred' who is 6.5, but he seems content to live a little downstream. We then saw an adult female, who was quite curled up and smaller than the males which is usual.



We then saw a 'Special Heron' which is apparently very rare and if we showed a picture to a Birdwatcher, they would and I quote "wet their pants". We also saw a yellow Sunbird going to and from it's nest and some very small brightly coloured crabs.



We also saw a teenage crocodile, apparently they can't tell at this age the sex of the crocodile "unless you turn it upside down and squeeze the rude hole and see if anything pops out" hahaha. I reckon it was a male as it seemed to be hiding in the Mangrove roots, probably from Scarface. Shortly after the guide saw a baby croc camoflaged very well against a tree branch, camoflaged so well that alot of people took a long time to see it. (my zoomed in camera photo helped alot).



We were then taken to the Daintree Ferry crossing, on the other side, where the bus was already waiting for us.



Then Debra the driver took us to a special ice cream place, which grows all the rainforest tropical fruit on it's grounds and only offers whichever 4 fruit flavours it has made that day. I can't even remember the name of any of them as I've never heard of them.... Simposia or something? Anyway, a few people tried them, but I didn't fancy paying $5 for 4 unknown flavours... The views here though, were completely stunning and the gardens housed some very interesting plants such as fly catchers, 5 corner fruit and something called a 'stinging tree', which we all found quite funny, until we were told that it's 10 times more painfull than a stinging nettle and also lasts up to..... 6 MONTHS!!!! - supposedly one of the other tour guides gestured towards it once and caught the side. Apparently you can get your hand waxed, but it won't pull out all the tiny little stinging hairs. OUCH



It had now started to rain a little bit, well it is the rainforest, so we were driven to PK's Jungle Village Resort, where we walked a short distance to the beach, through a boardwalk through the trees and swampland. This is truly where the Rainforest meets the Reef. The clouds parted a little while we were there, so I got a few slightly sunny shots.



We then had our designated lunch, I had fish and chips, which was lovely. The restaurants boasts an impressive picture, from around the 1920s, showing an extremely large Crocodile, which was probably around 11 meters long and VERY thick around the middle.

We then went for a longer walk through the rainforest on boardwalks again. This first main walk is where it's more likely to see Cassowary's, because of the fresh water streams and also because of the very strange fruit actually called 'Cassowary Fruit' - mostly as it's poisonous to any other living creature. They are curious looking dark blue Egg shaped things - Here there are very very big and tall trees that have large vertical roots which help to retain their balance. Another tree that looks like a palm tree is very different to those around it, as it actually grows about 1 meter per 100 years, so the one in the picture is around 800 years old, MUCH older than everything around it. Unfortunately there were no Cassowary's, which is fine with me really, you'll find out why later.



We then travelled onto the next boardwalk area, which led down to Mossman Gorge, which is something to do with the troubles between the original white settlers and the aborigines. The aborigines believe that the huge boulders are from spirit guides or some such. There's a small swimming section, which I dared to dip my feet in and discovered that it really was far too cold for any such thing. This didn't stop our tour guide from having a good swim about. I was also followed around for a while by a Red necked Bush Fowl, which looked like an angry turkey! We then walked a little further up the gorge for some fantastic photos.



After this we 'cruised' down to Port Douglas, which is considered to be the richest town in Australia - mainly because it's habited by over 2 square miles of a resort which was built about 30 years ago, and which has 20 acres JUST of swimming pools alone. The owner was called a madman and it was claimed he'd never make money on it - which he proved them wrong. - He then accepted money to install something else and then skipped off to Spain with all the money. Most of the people that actually live there are millionaires and the Port is full of the usual huge yachts.
We chose to be dropped off at the beach, then walk through town to be picked up again, via the ice cream shop, which has over 46 different flavours.



Port Douglas is quite like Manly, in that there is a beach on one side and after a short walk there's a harbour side too... which also has a beach. There's a little church which overlooks the harbour here and sure enough a wedding had just finished. The view from the church was lovely... the photo below I have actually cheated, as it was too bright to come out in one shot... but it's quite convincing i think ;)



On the way back to Cairns we stopped off a couple of times for photo opportunities.



Before getting back to Cairns, we were shown a couple of DVD's. One was something like 'Australia's scariest animals' - which none of us wanted to see and was full of Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Sharks and Cassowary's, the worlds most vicious and deadlies birds. We were then shown a show regarding a different type of stinger (Jelly fix)... which is found in.... BROOME?! and is there ALL YEAR ROUND?

Was not impressed with this, concidering I had been swimming there maybe 10 days previous. Apparently this type of stinger called the Iricangi (not sure of spelling) there's not alot known about it, but there was an example of a guy who could not breathe within minutes and had to be flown to PERTH hospital and was in a coma for 3 days. :O
I was asked if I would've swam at Cable Beach had I seen that? I think you can guess the answer.
I then told everyone the story of being evicted off of Cable Beach because of the Crocodile spotting, which suitably impressed.

I had a fantastic, fun-filled day, which was definitely worth the price.

On up the West Coast....and round

SUNDAY 14th JUNE

We set off early to make our way up further to Karratha. It was quite a far distance, but we got there without a hitch, that is until we got to the one and only hostel in Karratha. The reception lady was 'away' for over an hour, and when she finally answered various people's calls, she announced that there was no room at the hostel. As it had already started getting dark, we began to drive round to try to find something slightly reasonable. One place, which
looked like a travelodge... $299 per night? "i'm sorry, is this the Hilton?" I refrained from answering aloud.

Everywhere else was pretty much just as expensive and it slowly dawned on us that we would have to spend the night in the car. After staying in Macdonalds for about 3 hours, abusing the free internet and then watching some more Dollhouse, we then had the task of trying to find somewhere to park up. This isn't as easy as you'd think, considering we didnt want somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and also nowhere where it'd be too light and we would be at risk of discovery by police. In the end, we settled for a little side road next to a few stores. Sleeping was
difficult, especially considering we could hear scurrying and scratching from our little hitch-hiker, but we managed a few hours. Unfortunately, we had managed to park up right outside a gym... so at 6am we were awoken by no less than 20 cars full of the early risers keen to get in a morning workout! We then drove back to Macdonalds to wait for daylight.

MONDAY 15th JUNE

At about 7.30am we set off to the next town, which was Port Hedland. I drove most of the way and Sarah slept, so I took the opportunity to listen to every song that I have of the Puppini Sisters! This certainly kept me entertained for 2 or 3 hours. There was also alot of great scenery to look at, lots of large rock formations - even one that was like a little Uluru (Ayers Rock).

*pic to be given by Sarah.... eventually....*

In good time we got to Port Hedland at around 11am. It is a strange place, more a mining town than anything else. We went into a newsagent for a muffin and coffee and were told that BOTH Port
Hedlands 2 hostels had been closed down!!? - GREAT. So we had no choice but to push on to Broome, which was the destination anyway. The drive from Port Hedland to Broome was by far the most boring drive either of us had ever done and consisted of the same surroundings the whole way and was also a completely straight, level road. We actually got excited at passing a car, as a welcome change to nothing. We somehow managed to get to Broome. Getting there, we were greeted by a sign announcing 'CHINATOWN'. I don't want to say that we'd become racist living in Sydney, but there is a large percentage of the population here that are of the asian species. As soon as we got to Broome, we set about finding space at a hostel... which proved difficult as the 2 we would want were fully booked for the next 3 days. The other 2 were 'BEACHES' which was a new Hostel/Hotel Resort and was alot more expensive, or 'LAST RESORT' which was the cheapest. As we were very very tired and exhausted from driving so far, we settled for the last resort. Well... it's not called the Last Resort for nothing... truly awful. Dirty, loud and the bathrooms were disgusting, not nice enough for a PUB toilet. But we didn't really have much choice.

TUESDAY 16th JUNE

The next day we decided we'd had enough of that and agreed to stay at the expensive place for a night, until the YHA became free. Beaches was a refreshing change and probably the nicest Hostel we've stayed in, so far anyway. It boasts a large bar, large pool and a short distance from Cable beach, the best beach in Broome.



We didn't really do too much other than exploring Broome and getting aquainted with the area.



I'd procured some internet time from the
reception desk and on turning on my laptop, discovered that it would not let me into my own user account?! It still hasn't - very weird. Luckily everything is still on it and I was able to move everything over to 'DAN2' account, but I've still lost all my favourites and internet bookmarks, which of course are very valuable to me. In the evening we rented a movie in the resorts private Cinema - some old vampire movie that Sarah insisted we watch. - Young blood? something like that, but it was quite funny, in a vintage/rubbish sort of way.


The next month on....

We moved into the YHA Kimberley Klub the day after, which would be our home for pretty much a month, whilst we waited for our tax refunds to come through. Sarah had filled hers out through Work & Travel, for $70 and also 10% of the result. I for one have given Work & Travel enough of my money so decided to either do it myself on the government website, or wait until 1st July to fill it out online through this accounting firm online. This was $50 one off payment and it was guaranteed to be the highest return and speed. As it turned out I got mine on Monday 13th July and it's now Friday 24th and Sarah has still not gotten hers through. (trying not to do the 'told ya so' dance) - in my experience, Work & Travel just should not be trusted.



In the first few days, Sarah shocked me by announcing that she had no money left and that she was going back to Sydney, which was really not what we had discussed doing. I considered all my options, basically I didn't really have enough money to do more travelling, i.e. the east coast, as that's the expensive part. I didn't really want to go back to Sydney as it would now be even colder and wetter. Which left me the only option of staying where I was, in the sunshine. - As it turned out Sarah had been able to borrow some money from her parents to be able to support
herself until her tax refund had come through.

Throughout the month, we spent our time by the pool, watching movies, going to the beach, topping up our tans and walking around Broome. It is surely a lifestyles of dreams that we could do nothing but just survive for a month in a town which never sees rain and is 30 degrees every day. As relaxing as it is, it quickly became quite tedious and you quickly realise that doing nothing really isn't all that great - lets hope I can remember this feeling when I'm sick to death of whatever job I'll be doing in the future. With regards to getting a tan, my skin is a curious thing. After a very short time, my skin has become completely resistant to sunshine and tanning. Even wearing no SPF yields no results (yes i know i shouldnt). - This is surely the worst characteristic I could have taken from my fathers dark half-portuguese complection which is resistant to
burning but always retains the tan. Oh well it can't be helped, hopefully it'll be possible to go to Thailand on the way home and that sun will be different.



We have been trying to sell the car, but with no luck. No-one will buy it as it was registered in South Australia and would need all sorts of tests done on it before it could be re-registered here. We had taken it to various places and a nice gentleman (yeh right) agreed to just take it from us, but that he didnt actually want it. Well he got his wish, a few days later, the car would not even start. Surely, the little creature(s) had bitten through the wrong wire and killed the ignition of the engine - terrific.

Other than that we visited the worlds oldest open air cinema to see the first showing of Transformers 2 - It was a fantastic movie, full of great special effects, which were not lost considering that the Cinema still used a 'REEL' in the old style projector.



I also went off on my own to Gantheume Point to climb around the rocks. - Apparently this is not a very sensible thing to do, as this is where the Crocodile was spotted on his way to the Cable beach, which was when we were evicted from it. (Also there was a caterpillar which nearly crawled into my ear - which
apparently can spit acid at you - i took a picture).



Anyway, after a month of doing the same thing, i.e. nothing, I was completely ready to get out of Broome and on with the adventure. I still had quite a bit of money left, from my savings from home, but when you're staying with someone with no wish to spend money, then there's very few activities to be done. I did manage to see Harry Potter 6 before we left which I thought was MAGNIFICENT! - and that's quite a word to use!! but it surpassed my expectations! - especially all the bits they had added which werent in the book.

We also went down to Town Beach to see the local phenomenon called 'Stairway to the moon'...
It was quite pretty... but the photos didnt really come out that well...



Sarah STILL hadn't gotten her tax from horrible Work & Travel so she rang to complain and they forwarded her $2000, which meant that we could FINALLY get out of Broome and do the East Coast. They told her though that she wouldn't be getting much more, as the government have taken alot from her. - so let's recap....

my tax was $4500 - and I got back $4150 within 14 days and it cost me $50 online. -
Sarah's tax was $6000 or more, she paid $70 and then 10% on the end... and will probably only get $3800...
So i've lost $450.... Sarah's lost $2200 or more.... (told you so dance going mental to be performed).

So anyway we booked in for an 11am flight to Darwin on Monday 19th July.
Shortly after booking the flights and hostels etc, I noticed on facebook that my friend Jenna, who I had met many months ago in Sydney was also in Darwin, so we arranged to meet up as soon as we were there.

MONDAY 19TH JULY

We checked out with no problems to get our 11am flight, which had no problems other than quite alot of daunting turbulance when the plane came near to landing. We landed at about 2.30pm in Darwin (time difference included) and checked in to the YHA, which was clean, neat, friendly and conveniently located.



We were in different rooms, as had booked all our flights etc separately. Within seconds of getting into my room I started chatting with this lovely Irish girl called Caroline, who invited me to 'TITS ON TUESDAY', an infamous night out the following day.

Having had a look at the 'what's on' board, I told her about a Quiz night at the VIC pub, which had bar tab prizes, so her and her boyfriend Keith should join me and Sarah and Jenna and help out with the quiz. Sarah and I then had a walk through the main streets of the town and whilst exploring, found the Waterfront area, which is quite a new area, half still in development. There we found the man-made beach and the Wave Lagoon which looked like tons of fun, we also found the conference centre.



We had considered meeting Jenna for food, but apparently the 'VIC' had food there, so we all went down there ready for the quiz. - unfortunately when we got there they had JUST stopped serving food, so all I had to eat was a packet of crisps - uh-oh.... drink and no food :S



Anyway, the quiz started (team name - "Jesus knows", after Caroline's answer to "what is your team name?") and we were very surprised at how well we were doing. Round one down - 100% correct, so i went off to get 2 jaegerbombs (special) and after having them the compere asked for a volunteer from each team to bring up the sheet. - So I thought, sure that's not difficult. When I got up to the stage area, each volunteer had to line up and then try their best to play this makeshift didgery-doo - which was made out the end of a vacuum cleaner. Just as the compare
got to me, he demonstrated how to do it (very poorly). Not one to be outplayed... especially musical instrumentwise, I gave it my best shot, which was actually surprisingly good and i came 3rd and got 3 points for our team. - The other 2 seemed to have had lessons and even did little tricks and things with it. - hmmm not fair.



Anyway, after another very successful round, they asked for another volunteer, so Caroline went up. This round, the volunteer had to bend down and pick up a cardboard box with their teeth, simple huh? Caroline was by far the best. THEN the compare cut the box down so that it got lower to the floor. This was repeated until only 2 contestants were left - one being Caroline. I went down to the front to shout/scream encouragement for Caroline, who of course was alot better than the other girl, so we won 5 points for our team.

OK so the 3rd round, we definitely got 100% as they were all music questions and between us, we had a good range of musical tastes. For the challenge, we tried to get Keith to go up, but he was a complete wimp and wouldnt do it! hahaha. So Sarah went up. For this challenge, the compare shouted an item that the volunteer had to run and get from their team. We were doing well, until the compare called out "lighter". None of us being smokers, of course we couldnt find one. - after much shouting of protest that none of us are dirty smokers, unfortunately we did not get any points.

When it came to the results, we went downstairs to the bar area - it was announced, that by 1 measley point, we came 2nd and won $50 at the bar!!! fantastic. ciders all round (Caroline's idea). We then danced the night away.

It was a completely random night but one of the best (as so often happens). I was maybe a bit too drunk... but that's what you get for drinking on an empty stomach.

TUESDAY 20th JULY

Me and Sarah got up at 10am to check out some prices for flights to Cairns, which we eventually booked for the Thursday - coincidently this was Jenna's flight too. I then had a bit of a nap as was feeling a little hungover haha. In the evening we went to a bar & grill place called the Hogs breath, which was a bit pricey but the food was delicious. We especially liked the salt and pepper shakers, which were in old Corona bottles - see picture.



After waiting over an hour for our mains and also being SO full that we could hardly move, we decided not to go to 'TITS ON TUESDAY' - which was echoed by Caroline & Keith who were too tired for it also. Back at the hostel, as I'd had a nap, I couldnt sleep and was still awake at 7am. :(

WEDNESDAY 21st JULY

Sarah and Caroline had decided to go and do a 'swimming with crocodiles' tour day, which me being of sound mind definitely did NOT want to do. Me & Jenna, instead headed to the Wave Lagoon and spent about 4 or 5 hours sunbathing and swimming on rubber rings and boogie boards against the very vicious wave machine - WHAT a workout!



After all that, we went to OUTBACK JACKS (I swear there's one of them in Staines) and had these Salads - which were actually HUGE - and were more like a large main meal! In the evening, we just sat around drinking and chatting etc, listening to the slightly off key singing of this woman at a market next door. At around 9pm I decided to go to sleep, as our shuttle bus was at 2.50am in the morning (which I only JUST got to... woops).

THURSDAY 22nd JULY

Very early start to the airport. The flight was fine, other than Sarah being checked about a million times! haha. We got dropped to our hostel and moved our bags into the room. As it hadnt had it's bedding changed yet, we had a little walk into town to get a scope of Cairns. It was hotter than we'd thought (not as hot as Darwin) and VERY big. Very spaced out, with lots of shops and surrounded on all three sides (not the ocean) by high hills/mountains. We had a bit of a nap and then went to town for our free meal. The hostel which we were staying was $18 per night, which included a shuttle into town and a free meal!!! - all for around £9 !!

stay tuned.