Australia Archives | Amiekay's Adventure

December 18, 2017February 21, 2018

Australia Adventure: The final post

Days 6 and 7 in Australia were a bit less exciting because they were both mostly travel days.

We woke up early in our cabin at the Kipara Rainforest Retreat and set off from Airlie Beach on a long, 13-hour drive to our hotel in Gold Coast. Of course, there were stops along the way but for the most part, my entire day was spent in the car, either driving, napping, eating, or keeping others awake.

The Pacific Coast Way (and randomly at one point, Australia Country Way,) is full of long stretches of road where you see nothing but cows, flat lands, and trees. It’s beautiful and looks similar to how I’ve always imagined the Texas countryside. (I am told it is similar, however, Australia’s sand and land are much redder.) But I think what struck me on this particular drive was just how dry the entire state of Queensland appeared. Every bridge that was supposed to take us over a body of water instead took us over land. This was true whether it was supposed to be a creek or a vast, rolling river. Additionally, there were areas where you could tell there had been wildfires; the fire lines clearly marked by trunks charred a dark black. A quick google helped verified what my eyes led me to believe: the area is struggling with drought, and has been for years.

And while it’s called the “Pacific Coast Way,” you should know the Bruce Highway spends very little time near the coast. Instead, you drive through a lot of small towns that remind me of wild west movie sets. We stopped in a few, and in one case ended up at a gas station with the scariest toilet in the world. (Seriously, it had no door!)

It may be empty, but it sure is beautiful

Something else this road has, which I found unusual, is trivia signs. Literally, there are signs that ask you questions, and later there are signs that give you answers on this road. They are designed to keep drivers awake and alert. And while I think it’s a great idea, it wasn’t executed particularly well: I think in total there were 2 questions on the whole 13-hour drive.

After our long road-trip, the girls and I arrived at our final hotel: another 5-star Sheraton Mirage Resort. This one was in Gold Coast, Australia, but between the major highway and massive amusement parks, I sort of felt like I was in Orlando, Florida.

Now, I would like to say I explored the resort even a little that night, but honestly, I went straight to sleep. It had been awhile since I had been in a car that long, and I was exhausted.

The next day was a short one since we had to catch a flight and had to work in Wellington the next day, but it was enough time to enjoy the resort, explore the area, and check out Brisbane.

To start off, we had a massive (and, as we later found out, expensive) breakfast buffet. It was some of the best food I had on the trip, and considering it was hotel food, that’s pretty impressive. (Or is it sad?) The buffet offered eggs any style you wanted, pancakes, ice cream, fresh honey, cheese and even a salad bar. It was so delicious that even just thinking about it my mouth is watering!

The one thing about staying in a 5-star resort when you’re on a 1-star budget: a lot of those kick-ass amenities are out of your price-range. Case in point: the above breakfast and the shops attached to the Sheraton in the “Mirage Marina” shopping centre. The mall itself is beautiful but is full of only designer brands (and a single newsagent,) so while it was fun to explore a little, it became apparent really quickly that I wasn’t buying anything. (And keep in mind, I did buy a nearly $100NZD dress in Cairns.)

To be fair, there were a couple of better-priced stores just outside the shopping centre, but by this point, I was over shopping and took the opportunity to really just enjoy the sun, and warm weather. I did this by wandering around the marina and dreaming of boat trips before returning to the resort to lounge by the pool. At some point in the day, I also stepped my feet into the Pacific Ocean for the first time, and while I realize this is something I could’ve done in the States or even New Zealand, it’s pretty funny that it took traveling to Australia for me to do this. (And because I know you’re thinking it, technically the other beaches on the trip were along the Coral Sea, and not the Pacific Ocean.)

Pelican and seagulls chilling in the marina

Now, because the ladies I was with were bosses, we also managed to find time to stop in Brisbane before catching our flight. My glimpse of “Brizzy” was short, but incredibly sweet. Between driving through its city lights at night, and wandering its outdoor pedestrian-only Queen Street Mall, I fell in love. Brisbane seemingly offers everything I want: a city lifestyle, near the coast, and in a tropical climate. Honestly, I could stay in Australia forever. (Not to be dramatic or anything…)

I could end this post telling you that we spent too long shopping in Brisbane which led me to almost lose my kindle and almost miss my flight back to New Zealand, but honestly, since neither of those things happened, what is the point? Instead, I want to end this post expressing how grateful I am to have had 6 full days in a country I’ve always wanted to visit. And while waking up a day ahead of most of my friends and family has now become common-place, its experiences like this one that reminds me how lucky I am and how far I’ve traveled both literally and figuratively. As a child, I was too afraid to ask the fast food clerks for refills, and now I traveling the world alone, and constantly meeting and talking to new people. And I think that’s pretty cool.

Until next time, Australia.

December 11, 2017February 21, 2018

Bucket List Check 2: The Whitsundays

I knew day 5 of our trip would be special not only because the itinerary was awesome but also because it started with an act of kindness.

You see the day was to be spent doing the boat tour on a catamaran called the “Camira,” that would take us to Whitehaven Beach and to another location of the Great Barrier Reef. It was basically another full day on a boat, which is easily my favorite way to spend a day. However, because alcohol was included in the ticket price, this meant we were not driving ourselves to the port.so we called a taxi and headed to the front office for the taxi to pick us up.

The view of our ship, the purple Camira, from the cruise terminal

We called a taxi and headed to the front office for the taxi to pick us up. Well, the nice thing about staying somewhere small is the incredible willingness to help you out. The owner of Kipara Rainforest Retreat saw us waiting for the taxi and immediately offered us a ride, and told us a bit about the retreat’s history, which once served as an army barracks.

After checking in, we waited for our boat to be called from the “Cruise Whitsundays” terminal. Much like our experience with the Poseidon tour, there was quite a bit of waiting and then rushing to get the best seat. That was followed by coffee, tea, and biscuits/cookies to snack on and of course, a safety briefing for the snorkel portion of the tour. (Complete with a mic topped with a sea turtle plushie, which was fairly unforgettable.

At this point in the tour, it became really windy and rainy, which was unfortunate, as we were on a catamaran; a type of boat that is not known for its cover, and all 60 or so of us did our best to squeeze into the tiny cabin.

The rocky beach on one side of Whitsunday Island

Eventually, the ship dropped its anchor off the coast of Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsunday group, and home to Whithaven Beach, a beach consistantly ranked in the top 10 of the world. But before we could enjoy the sand, Australia did a little something to remind me of New Zealand: it forced us to take a hike. (An easy one that I did in flip-flops, but it was still a hike.)

Now, Cruise Whitsundays advertises this portion of the tour as a “guided walk following the history and the path of the Whitsunday Traditional owners, the Ngaro people.” And while it is possible we walked an ancient path, there was very little “guiding” being done. It was basically just a group walk to the Hill Inlet Lookout: While the lady in charge of my group was extremely nice, she didn’t actually offer us any unique information or teach me anything about the Ngaro people. In fact, all she really did was give us directions to the top, something we could’ve figured out on our own from the signs.

One of the informative signs on our hike to the Hill Inlet Lookout

Views from our minituare hiking adventure

That being said, the view from the lookout is just as amazing as it appears in Instagram pictures. The water is a bright blue and is interspersed with sandbars. Its a view that changes daily depending on the wind and current, which means every trip there is a little bit different. It’s breathtaking and gorgeous and definitely deserving of its standing as the third most photographed place in Australia. Something to note though if you go: it is extremely crowded. Because you can only get to the island by boat, there are always tour groups coming and going, and that means like any major attraction around the world, you will be waiting in line just a little bit to get that perfect photo or selfie.

The pretty, gorgeous view of the ever-changing sand patterns of Whitehaven Beach

After we finished taking pictures we rushed down to the beach, and the moment you step in the sand, you know why it is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. Not only is the sand a pure white, it’s never hot, and feels just like walking through powdered sugar. This unique texture and color exists because the sand is 98% pure silica. (Most sand consists of silica and multiple other particles as well.) How the sand got there is a mystery: the rest of the beaches in the Whitsundays are full of coarser, more standard-texture sands. Additionally, the rocks surrounding Whitehaven beach don’t even contain silica. The most popular theory about this phenomenom is the sand drifted to Whitehaven from somewhere else thousands of years ago and got stuck in the narrow inlet.

Behind-the-scenes: The crowd of people taking photos you don’t see in those gorgeous lookout photos

I could’ve laid all day on the beach here, even though it was still a bit cloudy and cold to get in the water. But eventually, we had to head back onto the catamaran for lunch and to head to our next stop: snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

A tip for people sailing the Camira: make sure you jump on the first tether back to the boat after snorkeling, so you can be first in line for lunch! It’s tasty, and worth the wait if you must have one, but with that many mouths to feed the length of time can cause hanger.

I should mention that at this point, the boat opened up the bar for the rest of the day, so if you were looking to just get drunk on the water, you could certainly do that. However, if you have one before the snorkel stop, you aren’t allowed to get in the water. So my advice to you: just wait. You can always get alcohol, but you can’t always dive the Great Barrier Reef.

This reef stop was just as exciting to me as the one in Port Douglas; I honestly didn’t care that I had already seen parts of the reef. In fact, I was thrilled to jump in the water and get yet another glimpse at the coral and dazzling display of fish. And to be fair, this stop had more of the vibrancy and beautiful colors I was searching for in Port Douglas but didn’t find.

My feet in the powdered-sugar-like sand at Whitehaven Beach

Having fun with a piece of driftwood on Whitehaven Beach

Unfortunately, the snorkeling wasn’t all fun and games, as one of the other passengers on the boat did something incredibly harmful to the reef: he stood on it. In fact, he stood on it despite being yelled at multiple times, much to the ire of our guides. This is because coral, which makes up most of the reef, is not only alive, but it is also delicate. This is why you are always told not to touch reefs and why it’s important to pay attention to your safety briefings.

I should also mention this man, who was part of a larger tour group who booked out much of the boat, stood on the reef to take a photo. (This was a common theme throughout this particular group.) Now, I don’t know what the photo was of but assuming it was the most amazing thing in the world, killing the coral was not worth it. Worse yet, when this man was told to go back to the boat for disobeying the rules multiple times, he didn’t really seem to understand he had done anything wrong.

I tell you this story because I want you to know how important it is to me to be an eco-conscious traveler. (Despite my time with the koalas earlier in the trip.) Nature is beautiful, but in order for us to ensure it is there for the next generation, we have to both respect it and take care of it. The Great Barrier Reef, in particular, is facing enough threats as it is from the environment and people, and doesn’t need tourists to help aid in its destruction.

There is afternoon tea on the way back, as well as those aforementioned alcoholic beverages.

Overall, my experience on the Camira was a good one, even despite the man who stood on the coral. This is because the crew is very friendly and the sights were everything I hoped them be and more. However, this cruise, in particular, is not very educational or informative in any way, especially compared to the Poseidon where I felt like I learned quite a bit. After all, this is a catamaran sailing, so like most catamaran sailings, its a party.

Because we were a bit buzzed from the fun in the sun, the next stop for us girls was to head into town and find a drink and maybe some food. While we didn’t find the food, we did find the drink at Magnum’s Backpackers, a fun outside spot populated by picnic and pool tables, low lighting and live music. Its a bit of a dive bar, but the wine was inexpensive and the vibes chill and beachy.

After that, it was home to prepare for our 13-hour drive to Gold Coast.

The sunsets on another day of fun in Australia

December 4, 2017February 21, 2018

Arriving in Airlie

Did you know Queensland, Australia doesn’t participate in Daylight Savings Time?

Don’t worry, I didn’t know either. In fact, I was so convinced they did, I got myself out of bed an hour earlier on day 4 of our trip because I thought my phone hadn’t adjusted automatically since it wasn’t connected to data. But no, it was because while a good portion Australia did “spring forward” that evening, the states of Queensland and Western Australia simply did not.

So in other words, the ladies and we got a head start on our 9-hour car ride to Airlie Beach because we got up at 5:30 am. This did, thankfully, give us time to stop and get coffee, even if the only place open was Zarraffa’s, something that appeared to be the Australia equivalent of Starbucks. (It was tasty though.)

This is what most of the drive from Cairns to Airlie Beach looked like

I would like to say the drive was full of adventure and fun roadside attractions, but it wasn’t. The Pacific Coast Highway in Australia really requires more time than we had to truly explore and experience everything it has to offer. Meant to be done over a week, we drove the entire distance over 2 days, so we could check off another site (and one of my bucket-list items,) visiting the Whitsundays.

We broke up this day of driving with a brief stop in Townsville, the capital of tropical North Queensland. Everyone told us this was a place we had to stop, but honestly, there wasn’t much to see. Maybe this is because we didn’t have enough time to explore the area outside of downtown, but I’m not convinced.

But there was a bright spot. In a part of downtown that felt deserted and run down, we stumbled on a restaurant called “Simply Tops.” And this restaurant actually lived up to its name as it was simply, tops. That is to say, it was some of the tastiest food I had on the entire trip, and that’s saying something! Especially because all I ordered was a fish sandwich. (Which was served on white bread no less!)

Eventually, after miles and miles (or should I say kilometers and kilometers) of forest and land, we arrived in Airlie Beach: an adorable sea-side town with a “party” vibe. We didn’t spend much time out on the town though, choosing to instead buy groceries and bottles of liquor in hopes of saving money.

The beach area just off the road from downtown Airlie Beach

I have to say, the night-in was fun. This and was undoubtfully helped by the uniqueness of our lodging: the Kipara Tropical Rainforest Resort. Nestled in the jungle outside of the downtown, the resort offers guests a chance to stay in cabins or single rooms among the lush greenery of the rainforest. It was fun and novel, even if I got bit by a few mosquitoes.

November 27, 2017February 21, 2018

Pit Stop in Cairns

Day 3 in Australia was quite a bit less eventful than the first two days, but it was still a good one. We started the day lounging on Four Mile Beach, just steps away from the Sheraton Mirage Resort where we were staying.

Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia

Port Douglas’ Four Mile Beach offers really gorgeous views of a seemingly never-ending beach, so its great for photos and a stroll. But when it comes to the more normal beach activities like lounging in the sand or swimming, I would recommend you try elsewhere. This is especially pertinent when it came to swimming because the water had an unidentifiable film on it. I’m honestly not sure what it was; while it could’ve likely been algae seemed a bit more like pollution. You’re also only allowed to swim in certain areas of the beach, as jellyfish are very prevalent in the area.

Later in the evening, we made the drive south to Cairns because the two ladies I was with had tickets to see Sir Elton John. I did not choose to attend the concert for a few reasons: saving money and wanting time to properly explore the location since we were only staying there a day. I am so happy I made this choice.

The Lagoon, a fancy swimming pool along the waterfront in Cairns

Prior to the concert, Ashley and I went shopping while Katherine relaxed following our long day in the sun and water. The shopping in Cairns was some of the best shopping I’ve been able to experience on this side of the world. (Although, granted, I’ve only really gone shopping in Wellington, Brisbane and Gold Coast.) This is likely because Cairns is a city that was designed specifically with tourists in mind, or at least it seems that way. Cute boutiques, restaurants, and bars line the city’s main streets, all of which lead to the Esplanade, or boardwalk. There you can stroll along the water and take in the pelicans and the city skyline. And while there is no beach or ocean access there is a “lagoon” or pool that you can swim in to get your fill. Me? I was more interested in the sundresses every store had for sale. I live in sundresses (unless its winter in Wellington) so in the end, had to buy one from a store called Global Free Style. The shop was full of unique retro designs that flatter any figure, making it hard to resist. The one I got has a unique neckline and is covered in watermelons. (Now, to move to a place where I can wear it more often….)

Ashley, for her part, stumbled upon a funky little Asian-style boutique named Red Ginger which was full of inexpensive clothes and accessories. I mean, this place had purses decorated with guitars, cats, and even American dollar bills. The clothing ranged from flowy and fun to retro chic. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the city that likes unique items and is on a budget.

After our little shopping trip, it was back to our hotel, Tropical Heritage Cairns. Now, while this place was certainly not the Sheraton Mirage, it was a nice, inexpensive option with lots of space. For about $50 each, we stayed in a room that had 3 beds and a kitchenette. It was massive. Then it was time to drive the ladies to the concert.

Eventually, it was time for me to drive the ladies to the concert. Now, in case you don’t know, the rules of the road in Australia and New Zealand are more similar to the UK than those in the states. That is, they both drive on the opposite side of the road and the steering wheel is in what we know as the passenger side of the car. This in itself doesn’t seem like it will cause too much issue, after all, driving is driving, that is, until you remember just how much of driving is muscle memory. So in addition to automatically turning to the right side of the road, you also are trained to shift gears with your right hand and to switch on your turn signals with your left hand. Your windshield wipers are the lever on your right.

Of course, none of that is true in cars where the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Everything is reversed (except the pedals, thank God.) This means, when you go to turn, you not only have to think about which side of the road you’re turning on, you also have to remember to switch gears with your left hand and signal to the whole road that you’re turning by switching on the windshield wipers. (Which, while I’ve driven quite a bit here now, I still do on occasion. Old habits and all that.)

Now while I did drive briefly in Port Douglas, this drive was far more memorable for one reason: I had to get myself back from the concert venue to our hotel alone. That means, no one was there to correct me if I turned on the wrong side of the road, or help me out if I got lost. It was an experience that allowed me to fully appreciate life with GPS; between remembering which side of the road to drive on, and remembering that the slow lane here is on the left side of the road and not the right, I can’t imagine having to look at an actual map. (Bravo to all of you who have done this.) I am happy to say I made it back in one piece and without any errors that I know of. The trip also allowed me to see route “A1:” a major thoroughfare around downtown Cairns that’s dotted with businesses. Its pretty unspectacular, but is very reminiscent of A1A in South Florida, so for me, it felt like home.

Banyan trees lit up along the Cairns Esplanade

After parking the car, it was off on a solo adventure for the night. While Cairns is beautiful in the daylight, it really comes alive after sunset. (As I said, it was made for tourists.) Not only does the city have a bit of a bar and restaurant scene, it also lights its trees and esplanade in all sorts of colors, making it feel like a theme park.

I spent the night wandering around, ducking in and out of shops and looking for a place to eat. I also spent a bit of time in the city’s “Night Market,” an inside shopping center inspired by similar, outdoor markets in Asia. In Cairns, its a big open warehouse sort of building in the middle-of-town full of stalls populated by local artisans.

What I was hoping to find was a bar or pub where I could sit down at the counter and chat with locals or the staff, I unfortunately struggled to find this anywhere; most places were either packed or only offered places to stand by the bar. I ended up eating at a burger chain called Grill’d. While the food (and the wine) were tasty, my favorite thing about the place was the bottle cap the restaurant gave me with my purchase.

Grill’d, a family-owned Australian business, has a program called “Do Good.” Every month, each Grill’d location pledges to donate a total of $500 to local charities and chooses where to give this money based on “votes.” Each location chooses 3 charities each month to support, and gives each one a jar. Then, when you go into Grill’d and spend money you get a bottle cap and choose which charity you’d like to see get the most money. At the end of the month, the store counts the votes. The charity with the most votes gets $300, and the other two get $100 each. Pretty neat.

After eating and a bit more of a stroll, I headed back to the hotel, knowing we had a long drive ahead of us the next day to Airlie Beach. And as the other two ladies were at a concert, I assumed I would be doing most of the driving.

A look at downtown Cairns from the edge of The Esplanade

November 20, 2017February 21, 2018

Bucket List Check: The Great Barrier Reef

Note: All photos in this post are courtesy Josh, the photographer on the Poseidon unless otherwise specified.

If you asked me the one thing I needed to do while visiting this side of the world it would’ve been to see the Great Barrier Reef. (And yes, I realize it is in Australia and I chose to move to New Zealand, but this is beside the point.)

Well, it took me a few months but I did it and it was amazing, even if I didn’t see a sea turtle.

A photo of the Great Barrier Reef from the Poseidon (Photo by Amiekay)

My second day in Australia the girls and I woke up to catch our shuttle to the Port Douglas Marina. We somehow managed to get up both early enough to buy coffee and also late enough to think we missed our ride; a van picking up people doing a dive tour with the same company as we were pulled away just as we came outside. We panicked a bit but after asking the concierge to check we discovered we were on a big bus which hadn’t arrived yet, and not the van that just left. Phew!

The scuba/snorkeling adventure we went was on The Poseidon and done in association with Blue Dive and Quicksilver. This particular adventure provides food and drinks (including those of the adult kind) so most people come via the provided transportation which means that, much like Disney World, the first thing you do for the day is wait-in-line. You wait in line to get on the bus, then you wait in line to pay, and then you wait in line to get on the boat. But the waiting doesn’t end there: once you get on the boat you wait in line for your coffee and tea. And while this may sound tedious to you, it’s really not: you’re too excited about the upcoming adventure for it to even both you. Plus, the entire staff is beyond friendly, in true Aussie fashion.

One of the many, many lines that started the day (Photo by Amiekay)

Some other “housekeeping” notes to mention about this adventure is that I had to fill out a safety waiver, which is pretty standard on most scuba and snorkeling tours. I am mentioning this because Australia has some of the strictest diving-laws in the world. They are so strict that if you answer “yes” to a number of questions you may have to take a physical before being allowed to participate. This is made very clear several times prior to your dive.

Once everyone was fed and legalized, the fun began, sort of. The Poseidon crew divided us into two groups: divers and snorkellers. This is the first time my little group of 3 split: 2 of us were diving, the other snorkeling. But we would split one more time: because I had never dived before, I was doing “Discovery SCUBA” whereas my friend Ashley was a certified diver. (Yep, each one of us signed up for a different activity.)

Now for the next hour or so, we were all in our respective “briefings.” These are the presentations they do to make sure you understand how to use the equipment and stay safe. They also make one thing very, very clear: do not touch or stand on the reef, because doing so will kill it. (This is important for a story later in this series.)

Because I was doing the “Discovery SCUBA” my briefing was more like a class and was a bit longer than the other two. My instructor explained to us how to use the equipment, and also that water pressure can cause your lungs to collapse and kill you. He did this to emphasize how important it was to always keep breathing and to take a moment to depressurize, much like when you do on a plane. I would be lying if I said the class wasn’t a little bit unexpectedly terrifying. (And keep in mind: I’ve gone skydiving.)

The Poseidon tour stops at three places in the Agincourt Reef, a series of smaller reefs in The Great Barrier Reef system. The places change each day depending on the weather and other sailing factors. From what I’ve read, Poseidon generally tends to pick really good spots along this reef system, and the 3 places we went on our cruise were spectacular, so I have no reason not to believe this.

I only paid for 2 discovery dives, so that meant one of my adventures would be snorkeling. I lucked out and did the snorkeling first. It was a nice way to get my feet wet and meant I got to hang out with my friend Katherine for my first ever Great Barrier Reef experience. It was also my first time snorkeling and viewing any reef in my life, and something I’ve unfortunately missed out on despite visiting and living in several different tropical climates. (I specifically tried to see a reef once off St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands but my partner at the time was too frightened at the time to make the swim, and have regretted not going on my own for years.)

Kath and I getting ready for our Snorkeling Adventure

I think the most surprising thing for me when seeing the Reef for the first time was just how dull the colors were. I incorrectly assumed this was a result of bleaching, but was told by our guides that while bleaching is still a big concern, things are improving. She said even though the colors were dull, the reef was alive and well. (And I did a little research and found that while I definitely saw some dead corals, for the most part, this is true. Not all corals are the vibrant purples and greens you see in pictures.) Either way, I consider myself lucky enough to have seen the images I did.

This is what a lot of the reef looked like: swarming with schools of fish

Now, I wish I could’ve rented a camera and taken pictures to show you the beauty, but unfortunately, since it was my first time doing SCUBA, it would’ve not been safe for me to be concentrating on something other than my breath for the first two dives, so I had to skip out this time. Luckily, the Poseidon tours do come with a photographer, so I was able to purchase some photos of my day and a series of reef images to share with you.

After our first stop, we sailed off to the second diving location and this is where the real fun begins. For the first time in my life, I strapped on an oxygen tank and was prepared for my great adventure under the sea.

Me with my gear strapped on, excited for my first dive

I would like to say I didn’t freak out at all, but I did. For the first 15 minutes underwater, I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to pressurize my sinuses or lungs and would drown. (I told you, that class was terrifying.) I couldn’t even relax enough to do the “skill” of switching masks underwater for a good 5 minutes, although I did get it eventually. This was all exacerbated by the fact I felt like the weakest link: the other two people in the diving group with me were certified divers who were getting their feet wet after a few years absence.

Due to my lack of confidence, I had to hold my instructor’s hand for a good portion of the dive, but once I got the hang of it, the experience was magical. (She even said she just let me pull her along once she could tell I was comfortable.) Unlike snorkeling, where you are mostly observing the ocean when you dive, you get to be a part of that world. In other words, snorkeling is the Little Mermaid pre-legs, and scuba diving is her life after legs. It’s a substantial difference, so if you think its something you could do and ever get the opportunity, I would advise you to jump in.

There are so many cool fish species to be seen at the Great Barrier Reef

While I did get to see a barracuda briefly, my first dive was unfortunately cut short because one of the experienced divers in my group tried to stray from the path and go a bit deeper than we were supposed to go on the introductory dive. And while that is a bit disappointing it did mean I got to the lunch buffet table a bit earlier, and that was pretty good deal.

After lunch, we went to the third and final dive site, which was easily my favorite. Maybe it was because I felt more comfortable, or maybe it was because this instructor was a marine biologist and particularly informative but I really feel like I was able to see more at this final spot than anywhere else. Thanks to my instructor, I was able to see Christmas Tree Worms, an underwater creature I didn’t know existed previously. The warms have colorful crowns that look like ornaments hanging on the coral that would curl into their hiding places whenever he waved his hands over the water above.

An example of a Christmas Tree Worm. The ones I saw in person were a bright purple

Some other highlights of my dive included seeing a giant clam open and close. These creatures seemed big enough that I could’ve fit inside the shells, but I would’ve never known what they were had I not been shown. My instructor also pointed out a brightly colored anemone and clownfish which was nice to see as well.

This photo doesn’t do the giant clams justice, as the ones I saw were massive and much scarier in person

I can’t say for certain this was the same anemone I saw, but this is pretty much exactly what it looked like, complete with Nemo and friends

The tour finishes with afternoon tea. There were optional beer and wine to be purchased, but we stuck to water and rehydrated.

While my one friend had a particularly disappointing trip, I have nothing bad to say about this experience with Poseidon. Just thinking about this experience gives me chills, as its something I honestly never thought I’d have the opportunity to experience and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. I really can’t imagine a perfect introduction to the reef and SCUBA diving and while it was a bit more expensive then my pocketbook would like, I have to say I would pay for it again without hesitation.

Proof I went underwater and did the thing. I also accidentally touched that coral after this photo and felt awful about it

This day, which was actually Ashley’s birthday (the whole reason behind the trip,) didn’t even end there. After we got off the boat, Ashley, determined to get on a sunset cruise, rushed down the pier to see if we could jump on a boat before it left. I’m happy to say she was successful and like most thing’s spontaneous, it was a fun way to cap to the end of the day

The boat we ended up on was the Lady Douglas, a smaller boat that takes several trips a day through the Dickson Inlet waters. Its main goal is to spot crocodiles, but that wasn’t the reason we jumped onboard. In addition to the scenery, the best part of the trip is the tour guide. He’s funny and informative to the point we missed a good chunk of the sunset. (Although the affordable wine helped with that as well.) The best way for me to describe this experience is a real-life and grown-up version of the “Jungle Cruise” ride at Disney World.

A view of the Dickinson Inlet from Lady Douglas (Photo by Amiekay)

Two of the sunken boats spotted in the inlet (Photo by Amiekay)

While we didn’t see any crocodiles, the ride was a lot of fun, even though there were some serious points during the trip. This included several sunk boats and vessels still in the river almost a year after Cyclone Debbie struck the area. They were a sight to see, but a harsh reminder of the power of Mother Nature and how much devastation storms can bring.

As far as the rest of the sights on the river, they weren’t super unique to me; having lived in Florida I have seen my fair share of mangroves and palm trees. (That’s not to say I don’t love these things, I absolutely do.) But overall this surprise excursion was more than worth the $35 AUD., a ticket price that included one alcoholic beverage and a few “snacks.”

After our second boat tour of the day, we headed into Port Douglas to grab something to eat at The Court House. The food there was tasty and satisfying, and it was great to sit on the balcony at the end of the day and observe the town of Port Douglas: a relaxed sea-side town that reminded me of several towns along Florida’s Treasure Coast. It was wonderful.

Day 2 concluded with us walking back to our 5-star resort via the famous “4 Mile Beach” in the area. And while the views weren’t as spectacular at night as they would be the next day, it was nice seeing at the Southern Sky without any artificial lights with sand between my toes…

A gorgeous sunset from the Lady Douglas to cap off the day (Photo by Amiekay)

November 13, 2017February 21, 2018

Away in Queensland, Australia: Day 1

I remember stepping off the plane in Cairns, Australia on September 28th and finally feeling like myself for the first time in weeks. And when I mean myself, I mean happy, content, warm and able to wear a freakin’ dress for the first time in months. (And if you know me, you know how serious of an issue this is.) It was a peace I never felt stepping off a plane in a new country before. Even when I went to Europe for the first time last year, my feelings were more of excitement and nervousness than a sense of belonging. New Zealand started off with a bit of dread, but from the very beginning, Australia was different. Maybe its just the fact I am a warm, sunny, beach-kind of person, or maybe its because I knew I had to be happy and bright to enjoy the rather expensive trip. Perhaps its something on a deeper level, but in any case, I knew from the moment I stepped off the plane I was in for a true adventure.

The view of the Great Barrier Reef from my airplane window

Our first stop after sorting out our rental car at Cairns airport was the Kuranda Village, a cute assortment of shops, restaurants, and attractions in the middle of a rainforest about 40 minutes north of Cairns. And we had to get there quickly, as we had a date with a very special lady.

As soon as we were able to find parking, the girls and I passed by the shops and restaurants and headed straight to our destination: Kuranda Koala Gardens. Now, yes, I have seen koalas before, but what first visit to Australia is complete without them? And, we were doing more than just seeing the koalas, we had an appointment to hold one.

While I have mixed feelings about visiting a place like this (see my previous post about my visit to the Wellington Zoo,) I have to say holding a koala was a lot of fun. They are much heavier than you think and extremely lazy. The handler put the girl in my arms and she just laid there and didn’t move the entire experience. It’s almost like holding a baby, except its much cuter, furrier and has giant claws. (Also, koalas feel a lot more solid and less fragile than babies.)

I am pretty sure they woke this poor girl from her nap so we could get our pictures taken.

While I did enjoy this experience, I have to say I’m not sure its something I condone, so I want to provide you with a bit of background on koala cuddling in Australia. Queensland is the only stat in the county where visitors are allowed to handle the marsupials, and like most touristy things in Australia, there are quite a few rules surrounding it. For instance, koalas can only “work” for 30 minutes at a time; after a half-and-hour of being handled the animals have to be allowed to return to their quiet existence on tree branches. 30 minutes may seem like a short work day for you, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding this. According to Kuranda Koala Gardens and other places that have koala cuddling excursions, science shows that this limited amount of interaction doesn’t stress the animals out or shorten their lifespan. However, because of where this information is coming from and finding reports stating otherwise online, I refuse to throw my support behind it.

I do want to say, however, while I’ve read stories of people clinging to the koalas and not letting go when asked, I didn’t see any such behavior while I was at Kuranda Koala Gardens. Everyone was fairly respectful of taking their turn and obeying the rules set out by the handlers. My only negative observation was how quickly the koala got passed from person to person; it seemed like the handlers wanted to maximize the number of photos they could get out of one koala in 30 minutes.

The rest of attraction was less exciting; the Gardens are basically a zoo and a small, somewhat rundown one at that. It features only animals native to Australia, in small enclosures. The kangaroo and wallaby area is interactive, and you are allowed to roam in and out of the same space as the animals, much like the zoo in Wellington. However, unlike that zoo, this one encourages you to feed and pet the animals, even offering you “feed” before entering. This, of course, coaxes the animals to interact with you. We managed to use the pellets to pet and hang out with a wallaby for a brief moment before a tour group of children came into the area, scaring the animals into hiding.

However, their noise seemed to stir another animal I wanted to see: the quokka, or as you might know it: the happiest animal on Earth.

I was stoked to see a Quokka in person because I incorrectly assumed you could only see them in Western Australia. And while that is the only place you can see them in the wild, it was awesome to have a chance to see one, even in captivity.

After checking out the rest of the small zoo, the girls and I headed back to the Village to check out some shops. Its sort of a surreal place, this outdoor mall in the middle of the jungle. Seriously, you could grab a bite to eat, buy a painting, jewelry, clothes and other”touristy” souvenirs all while being surrounded by the humidity and heat of the jungle. Its kind of like Florida, but more exotic.

After a tour of the shops in the village, we headed north to Port Douglas, a small seaside town known for its snorkeling and 5-star resorts. After checking into our own 5-star resort (my first ever, by the way) we went to the local yacht club and had a wonderfully tasty dinner.

In order to get into the Tin Shed, we had to sign up for a one-night membership. It enabled me to buy and enjoy this pesto linguini as well as a glass of New Zealand white wine.

Afterwards, we went to sleep, as the next day we had an even bigger adventure planned: scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef.