To OZ and Back!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! I went to Australia for my fall break, and it was such an amazing experience. We were in Cairns, Australia for 10 days. We flew out of Wellington so we also spent the the night their and got to walk around the city for a bit.


Caution: this blog may be long and boring, but I am going to try and write at least a little about each day, so for those of you interested you know what I did, but I also want to have it for my own record.

Saturday, April 3rd: We left on the naked bus for Wellington, because our flight left super early the next morning. When we got to Wellington we tried taking a taxi to our hostel on Tory St. They let us know it would be very expensive and that Tory St. was in a different town. I thought how can that be our hostel is called WELLYwood, welly being short for Wellington, how could the hostel not be in Wellington. Eventually after debating with the heavily accented taxi driver we sorted out that the hostel was on Troy st. NOT Tory st. which made a big difference. We got to the hostel and wandered around the city and decided to go to bed early becasue we had a very early morning 3:45am. The time also changed that night.

Sunday, April 4th: We struggled to sleep all night becasue we were stressed about the time change and not getting up on time and then we stayed in the noisest hostel in all of the land. Really people must you body slam doors at 2 Am? However, we got up and made it to the airport and all the way to Cairns with no issues. Once we arrived in Cairns it was pouring rain. I tried to remain optimistic, but inside I was panicked, the beach in the rain does not add up to a good holiday. We went and got our free diner at the woolshed where we met some girls from Sweden and Germany and it was decided we would hire a car together and go on a little raod trip during the week. After traveling all day we were exhausted and went to bed.

Monday, April 5th: Monday was a day of exploring. We started out at the mud slide cafe for some french toast with bacon accompanied by fresh squeezed tropical fruit juices. Next we were off to explore all of Cairns. We went to all the little shops and also got some groceries. We also met with the Swedish and German girls and planned our trip. We would hire a car for the night and head up to Cape Tribulation. Terra and I then had the most delicious sorbet creation. It was raspberry sorbet in sparkling mineral water with raspberry syrup with a hint of lime so delicious. While we were eating it began to pour rain and we found ourselves with out umbrellas. The result was two girls soaking wet with make up streaked faces and looked similar to a drowned rat (see pics on facebook, bloger does not do pics well for me).

Tuesday, April 6th: The day of the Cairns wildlife dome. We heard it was like a little mini zoo in the city, but mostly we heard you got to hold a real, live koala bear. Therefore, we didn't care what it was and had our eyes set on the prize, the Koala. It was just a short walk from our hostel and surprisingly we found the wildlife dome atop of a casino. We got to the dome and saw lots of bird (Katie would have loved it). It kind of freaked me out a bit though, the birds were not is cages but free to dive bomb you or poop on you at will. I think I prefer the caged kind of bird. haha! We then got to hold Harvey the Koala bear. He was 10 years old and the cutest thing ever. He was so well behaved! The keeper just hands him over and he just clings on and gives you that look like I know I am cute! It was completely awesome! The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I am sure we had some gelato because that was a daily sometimes twice daily ritual. Oh ya almost forgot, that night we found out the road to Cape tribulation was flooded. I was so disappointed, but we quickly changed our plans and decided we would go see the tablelands, and waterfalls and then head as far north as we could.


Wednesday, April 7th: We woke up in the morning and headed to the car rental place. Where I rented my FIRST EVER CAR. I felt so grown up. We all packed into our little Toyota Corolla and I drove first, very nervously might I add. However, throughout the trip Terra and I made it through all the driving wonderfully. We started out at Josephine falls. It was just a short drive and then a quick walk through the rain forest. The river was running to quickly due to the recent rain, so no swimming, but it was still beautiful! However, this was my first encounter with Australian spiders. We were walking back and out of no where a huge like almost the size of my fist spider falls from a tree onto the ground. I immediately hit whoever is in my way run a few meters down the path, while three of the other girls inspect it. I could not help myself, but my heart was racing, I was fighting back tears and could hear that wooshing noise in my ears like I might pass out. I have never seen a spider that BIG and so unexpectedly. I literally ran back to the car, where I made Terra inspect me for other creepy crawlies and embarrassingly had a bit of a break down, hopefully I hid it well. lol We continued our drive and saw other cool waterfalls and rain foresty things. We also got to see wild cockatoos! Then we headed to Mila Mila Falls where we actually got to go swimming in a rain forest waterfall, it was so envigorating! We kind of snuck in with a tour group which helped us climb up behind the fall, So I got to see the backside of a real waterfall!!! (for all you disneylanders). Then we actually swam under the waterfall, which was a bit panicky, like you could not breathe but totally worth it. That night we stayed at the Port Douglas Backpackers which was a really cool hostel. We made some diner and did some swimming.

Thursday, April 8th: Started out with breakfast at the hostel, which included all types of breads accompanied by a generous proportion of nutella, I was in heaven. We then headed out to 4 mile beach. I could have laid on that beach all day, but I didn't even get to swim at it, everyone else was eager to head out. (still bitter about that). We then headed to Mossman gorge where we took a nice scenic stroll through the forest and finally came to a spot where we could swim, but rather than swim we just kind of splashed around in the water and enjoyed the river. After that we headed out to the Daintree River/rainforest. On the way there we stopped and saw some pretty outlooks with amazing views. Once we got to the river we found a crocodile boat tour and booked our tickets. I was going to get too see a real crocodile-->like one that lives in the wild, I was so excited. However, the boat trip was pretty and I got to see some cool cows (they run the cows right up to the river and into the rain forest) but NOT a single croc. On average 4 full grown cows are lost to crocodiles each year. :( After that we headed to Elis beach, where we could swim inside the stinger nets. It is stinger season in OZ, so you can only swim at beaches with stinger nets. The water was amazing and warm. After that we headed to Elis beach, where it got kind of stormy, so we enjoyed some hot chocolate and sat and watched the waves. Next on the list were the crystal cascades in Cairns. The crystal cascades were by far the most awesome "rainforesty" experience. The sun was setting and it was very misty out. I felt like I was a real rain forest explorer, when you looked up to the sky it was like a tree roof and the trees just never ended. There was also another gigantic spider, but I refused to look at...didn't want another panic attack. lol We returned the car and headed back to caravella's (the hostel)

Friday, April 9th: Today was the day, Terra and I were supposed to go tubing, but surprise, surprise, the river was flooded. They said to keep checking back though and we could maybe go Saturday or Monday. We decided on Monday. Friday was pretty low key. Slept in, hung out at the hostel and then we went to the lagoon (a big swimming pool) in the center of Cairns and just sun bathed and swam. That night we went out to Gilligan's with the other girls and danced away.

Saturday, April 10th: We hung out and went to an outlet mall (DFO). We were told DFO was huge and amazing...I guess those who thought that don't know how to shop. haha! No it was ok just nothing amazing. We headed back to Cairns and listened to some music and watched the sunset at the lagoon. Went to bed early because tomorrow was snorkeling!

Sunday, April 11th: Great Barrier Reef day!!!! So we head out and get checked in and are ushered onto the boat. We pick a nice spot up on the sun deck. I had been thinking about also going scuba diving and had decided I would do it. However, I made the mistake of being honest on my medical declaration form. I marked that I had asthma. In reality I have asthma only when I am sick and do not even know the last time I used an inhaler. I was denied scuba diving though :( but snorkeling was still awesome :). We went to 2 different snorkel sights, one included a private little island. oolala! As I said earlier it was stinger season and therefore we got to wear these really awesome smurf suits. Yes they were bright blue and skin tight, did wonders at hiding all of my bodies lumps and bumps. jk! See facebook for some pretty snazzy pictures. On the way home I lounged on these nets the boat had and snoozed on and off it was so wonderful.

Monday, April 12th: Tubing day or NOT...the river had gone down, but then the companies car broke down and could not take people tubing. So last minute change of plans and Terra and I were off on a white water rafting experience. The rafting company picked us up at 2:00 and the company was called foaming fury (just thought it was a funny name). We drove up to the river and got geared up, in some highly fashionable, crocs, life vest and yellow helmets. The trip was fun and one of the boats got stuck and everybody fell out the boat was stuck for like 30 minutes and people had to swim down the river and craziness was everywhere. One girl got hurt, but I think she just wanted attention because it only hurt when it was convenient for her. oh almost forgot...during this whole dramatic incident Terra and I saved a Chinese man. I think next time I go rafting I would want some bigger rapids like more class 3. It is now my dream to also be a river guide. Think I could do it?

Tuesday/Wednesday, April 13th/14th: Good bye Cairns=the day of dread. Waking up on tuesday, I was not happy 24 hours of traveling: 2 buses, 2 plans, a taxi and a night in the wellington airport...sound fun to you? Well I guess it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be, but we will just leave it at that haha! Gotta love being an airport bum!

Sorry for the length and if anybody actually reads this whole thing hope it make sense...Love Jane


P.S. my parents will be here in 19ish hours!