Cairns

The weekend after we went out, Lindsay's and Jordan's team played in a game for the playoffs.  Sad to say but they both lost and that would mean that their season would be over.  However this was the first time the girls have ever made the playoffs so this was an awesome achievement all together.  So that Monday after I had already booked my holiday to Cairns, Australia so off I went on an adventure.  I left here in Hobart around 1:00 and didn't arrive in Cairns till 7:30.  It is surprising to me that you think you can get anywhere within Australia pretty fast, but the land is HUGE!  So once I arrived I got a bus into the city and went to my hotel.  After getting settled in I went to grab some dinner and then headed back to the hotel for bed.  I had an early morning to go out to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling!

I walked from my hotel to the ship that was going to take my out to the Great Barrier Reef.  The morning was looking as if it was going to be a nice day.  Here are a few pictures of the harbor.

I went on my boat and got settled in.  They served tea and coffee and coffee I needed!  Soon we were on our way.  Here are a few pictures of the Harbor and Cairns looking from the ocean.

The weather started to turn and it started to rain.  I was a bit bummed because I was hoping for a really sunny day to work on my tan and so that the water looked bright for when I was going to take pictures. We finally arrived after about 2 hours to Michaelmas Cay Island.  I headed out on the first boat to shore that I could get on.  I couldn't wait to dive in and start seeing the coral.  A lot of people got wetsuits on the ship but I decided against it.  I'm from Wisconsin for god sakes!  I can endure a little cold water.  So once arriving on the beach I put my fins, mask and snorkel on and off I went.  The water wasn't even cold!  I had an underwater camera and when I get back to the states and get it developed I will put those pictures up here too.

Despite the fact that it wasn't sunny the reef was still amazing.  I was able to see tons of fish and marine life.  I even got to see one of my favorite sea animals and that is the green turtle.  I followed it for a bit but then another snorkeler scared it off.  Some people just don't know!  But I went on my way to search for other marine life.  I really wanted to see a seahorse and a Nemo but never got the chance.  Next time.  After about an hour and a half I headed back to the boat to dry off and get some lunch.  Here are a few pictures of the Island and the water.

There was also this "submarine" that we got in so here are a few shots from inside that.  You can get a sense of what the coral looked like.

We headed back around 3 and on the journey back I got to talking to some Americans.   There was a 12 year old and her uncle.  It was her birthday and coming to the GBR was her birthday present!  Must be nice to be able to choose anywhere in the world and the uncle just takes you!  But they were very kind and were heading back down to Sydney in a few days so I gave them some tips on what to do.  After 2 hours we made it back and I went back to shower and then go grab some food.

I walked around for a bit and then grabbed some sushi and a beer, headed back to the hotel and sat on the balcony and just enjoyed the weather and scenery.  Went to bed early again because the next day I had to be up at 6:00 to catch my bus to go white water rafting!

The rafting experience was AMAZING!!!! I would do it over and over again.  We went down the Tully river which is about 2 hours outside of Cairns in the rainforest.  I was put in a raft with 6 other people.  There was 2 people from France, 2 from China, a guy named James from an Island in between  England and Ireland and then our guide Leon.  No experience was required and that worried me a bit but once you go on your way it is like you are a pro.  The water was a bit chilly but nothing that I couldn't handle.  The ride down was just incredible.  We endured rapids from grade 2-6 and some of them were pretty dangerous, but that is what made it more fun.

At one point they capsized us so we got to swim in the river, which I would like to point out has crocs and eels in it, but thankfully none around me.  I also got to do a cliff jump which was really cool too.  We were not allowed to bring out cameras on the raft for obvious reasons but there was someone taking pictures along the side of the river.  I didn't purchase any thought because they wanted $100 dollars for 40 pics and I just thought that was ridiculous since I just spent $200 for the trip.  So the images will forever live in my memory but just believe me when I say it was AMAZING!

After the rafting we headed to a pub for a beer and then headed back down to Cairns.  I was quite exhausted that night and just went out for dinner on the Esplanade and then returned to my hotel.  These long days and all the activity was really taking it out of me.

The next day I had to do whatever I wanted and finally it was a SUNNY day!  I walked around town and did some shopping and then went to the lagoon.  There is no beach in Cairns but they have a local lagoon that is just a really big but not very deep swimming pool.  I laid out and wasn't even upset that I was being kissed my the sun.  Here it was...my one and only day of summer that I would have this year and I loved every moment of it.  I enjoyed watching everyone and read a book.  It was a great relaxing day.  Here are some pictures of Cairns.

That night I walked around again and just took it all in but headed back again early because I had to get up at 3:30 the next morning to catch the bus back to the airport.  It was a lovely trip and it went by way to fast.  I didn't want to leave the warm weather but had to go back to see Lindsay one more time before she left and to then prepare myself for my next holiday which would be in New Zealand!