If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I have this thing with the sun. I love the way its rays play against everything from the clouds, to the scenery to my phone’s camera lenses. I also just really like sunny days, and from time to time will take pictures of the sun with my camera, just so I can see what it really looks like in the sky without harming my eyes.
That being said, the sun in New Zealand is unlike the sun anywhere else in the world. Yes, its the same sun you have where you are, but there’s a bit of a hole in the ozone here, so it looks a lot different in the sky. While this unnatural phenomenon is bad for your skin (I burn quicker here than I ever did in South Florida,) it is great for experiencing stunning sunrises and sunsets.
While I have seen a few sunrises and sunsets during my time in New Zealand, there are two, in particular, that stand out to me.
Best Sunrise: Wainui Beach, Gisborne
Before the sun came over the horizon in Gisborne
While it’s technically incorrect to say this is the “first sunrise the world sees,” that doesn’t stop Gisborne from pushing this as a reason to go there. (It’s not even the first place in New Zealand to see it.) However, you can say pretty accurately Gisborne is the first “major” population center to see the sunrise, so that makes it cool.
But what Gisborne lacks in facts, it makes up for in beauty. The sunrise here is quite stunning, even in the cold. The sun clears the horizon with epic orange rays that dance against the clouds, beaches, and mountains in a way only the New Zealand sun can do. And because it is so far East, and not so densely populated there is nothing to impede your view.
The sun in all its glory
Best Sunset: Piha Beach, Piha
The sun beginning its decline in Piha, as my friends take a walk along the beach
Before I came to New Zealand, the best sunset I had ever seen was in Key West, Florida, USA. There is something about the size of the sun setting this close to the equator that is decidedly out-of-this-world. The boats sailing in the area add a stunning backdrop just about every evening.
A ship sails during sunset in Key West, Florida
So you can imagine how beautiful the sunset at Piha must be for me to say it may now, in-fact, be my favorite. But, somehow, it did that, despite the chill in the ai The reason I loved the sunset at Piha is the brightness of the sun. It is not especially large like the sun in Key West, but it’s so bright it makes you look like a standing shadow on the beach.
The other thing about the sunset at Piha is the way the rays play against the rocky coastline, which admittingly, is not something you get to see everywhere.
I recently took the plunge and rode down one of New Zealand’s most unique attractions: the Rere Rockslide. Here are some reasons why I think you should go, and a few why it may be something to take off your list.
5 Reasons to Pass it Up:
1. The water is cold.
Like, really cold. Have you ever put your finger in an ice cube tray a few minutes before it turns solid? That’s about how cold the water is at Rere. And no, it doesn’t depend on the season since its fresh water in a little stream.
2. Sandflies will bite you
I don’t know why these things are called Sandflies since they actually live in the dirt of the forests here in New Zealand. Nonetheless, these things are everywhere around the rock slide. They look like gnats, and because your feet will be numb from the cold water, you don’t realize they’re biting you until you see your feet bleeding.
The top of the slide offers a pretty view as well
3. The walk from the bottom is slippery and dangerous
The rockslide is a natural phenomenon, which makes it really cool. But also, because this is 100% Pure New Zealand, that means there are no man-made steps or safety precautions. This means you are walking up wet rock to get back to the top.
4. It’s out of the way. Like, really out of the way.
It’s about 100 km, or 45 minutes outside of Gisborne. Aside from a small waterfall and the rockslide itself, there’s really nothing else in Rere to see or do.
Rere’s other attraction: Rere Waterfalls
5. BYOB – Bring Your Own Board
A lot of places advertise that you can rent boogie/body boards at the site, but that wasn’t the case when I was there, so I would be prepared with your own. However, if you do bring one, make sure its a cheap one, as the rockslide is known for busting them up pretty badly.
5 Reasons it’s Not to Be Missed:
1. It is fun!
Once you start going down the slide, you forget how numb your feet are. The slide is exactly as exciting as the viral videos make it out to be.
2. There’s nowhere else like it in the world
Honestly, if you’re in New Zealand, this is one of those things I would count as a “must do,” since this is unique to the country. (Unlike, say bungee jumping or skydiving.)
3. It’s free
Aside from the cost of the boogie board and the petrol to get you there, the Rere rockslide is completely free.
It doesn’t look too daunting from here, but when you’re there in person, its actually a bit unnerving
4. Your friends will judge you if you skip it
The moment I told people I was moving to New Zealand, I was sent this video of the Rere Rockslide by a number of people with the phrase “you have to do this.” (I am not the only person who moved here and experienced this pressure.) So really, if you’re going to come all this way, you might as well take the plunge
5. You’ll make new friends.
If you come prepared with your own board, there’s guaranteed to be someone else who wasn’t prepared and will want to borrow yours. Or vice versa. Either way, it’s a great conversation starter.
A view of Napier’s Marine Parade, complete with a classic car. Marine Parade runs along Napier’s waterfront, which is made up of a pebble beach
Napier, New Zealand calls itself the “Art Deco Capital” of the world. It’s a title that the South Florida-girl in me takes immediate issue with; I mean, doesn’t that title rightfully belong to Miami Beach? After all, Miami Beach is bigger, brighter and well, just more recognizable than Napier. However, after I visited this small, beach-front city, I can now say it has a decent, if not somewhat convincing argument. First, a little history: Unlike Miami Beach, Napier was actually mostly built-up prior to the Art Deco style’s hey-day in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The only reason it has this style of architecture is that the city was razed following the deadly 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This means Napier’s construction of art deco was built for an already existing community and, therefore, has a bit of a different feel to it than its United States counterpart, which admittingly, was mainly driven by consumerism and developers hoping to make a buck from wealthy tourists.
A view of Miami Beach’s more tropical art deco style. (Photo courtesy Alex Bellink of A New Day A New Place)Unlike Napier, a lot of Miami Beach’s art deco buildings are owned by wealthy corporations. (Photo courtesy Alex Bellink of A New Day A New Place)
I think it is this community-driven development that makes Napier feel almost like its stranded in time. Not only does the architecture take you back to what many refer to as a “simpler” time, so does the city itself. Napier’s downtown is lined with both attractions for tourists, as well as the necessities local need for their daily lives. Unlike the streets of Miami Beach, which are lined predominantly with hotels clubs, restaurants, and car parks, Napier has a mix of cute boutiques, locally-owned cafes, grocery stores and pedestrian-only roads. Its a walkable, locally-driven economy, fueled by a rather tiny population (There are less than 70,000 people living in Napier.)
Napier’s art deco Sound Shell Stage
A couple strolls Napier’s Viewing Platform
It’s a set-up that’s by all accounts impossible to replicate in a major, global city like Miami. For starters, Miami Beach has 23,000 more people living in it and attracts even more by way of tourists. Furthermore, this U.S. city is just too expensive for any mom-and-pop shop to really thrive there the way they can in Napier.
A look down Napier’s walkable street during sunset. The flower pot sculpture in the center of the photo changes with the seasons. I visited the city in spring.
This money-driven culture that fuels Miami Beach is something Napier and really New Zealand (apart from maybe Auckland) just can’t compete with – most of the time. There are no massive clubs or luxurious spas for you to enjoy in Napier, but there are world-class restaurants. In fact, its Napier and not Auckland that currently houses the country’s “restaurant of the year,” Pacifica. I have not had the pleasure of tasting Pacifica’s dishes, but after a quick look at their prices and reviews, I can only assume they are fantastic: their prices rival those of restaurants in Miami Beach, the playground of the rich and the famous. But the thing is because it’s not Miami Beach, the restaurants in Napier aren’t paying exorbitant rent to be there, and that means: good food doesn’t have to be expensive. Case in point: tasty restaurants like Honger Monger and Mister D’s regularly make “must try” lists for the country and are more than satisfying. And both aren’t going to bust your budget. Talk about old-fashioned entertainment!
A look inside Mister D’sMister D’s is known for its donuts, which you can get at any time of the day. You can fancy them up with a syringe of glaze, some of which come in alcoholic flavors
Speaking of old-fashioned entertainment, Napier also makes it easy to be home by curfew: except for the Rose Irish Pub which stays open to a late 12:30 am, the city mostly shuts down at 10 pm. There are no modern-day clubs or bar fights to tear you away from your return to the art deco era.
Napier has less art deco buildings than Miami Beach, and it’s certainly less of an overall tourist attraction. But what it lacks in population, nightlife, and frankly beaches, Napier makes up for with atmosphere. This place, like much of New Zealand, feels like a step back in time. So while this Florida-girl isn’t ready to say Napier is “The” Art Deco Capital of the World, it can certainly be one of them. (Or even, The Art Deco Capital of the Pacific.)
Napier, like Miami Beach, has palm trees. So that means I love it
2017 will always be the year I took the leap. 2018 will be the year I take back my life.
What does that mean? While I don’t have too many specifics, I will do my best to try and explain.
One specific I can give you is I will be leaving New Zealand as soon as possible. Whether that is when my visa is up in May or sooner is yet to be seen, but I do not plan to stay and settle here. There’s a lot of reasons behind this but they are not limited to cost of living, weather, and lifestyle. Kiwis are much more outdoorsy than I am, and while I do enjoy hiking, I would much rather spend my day lounging on a warm beach that I didn’t have to walk an hour through bush to get to.
This isn’t to say New Zealand is a bad place; this is a beautiful country with a lot of unique experiences to offer. I even had an opportunity to stay long term, but after a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion its not for me. While I wouldn’t mind staying to the end of my visa as planned, the cost of living here is really catching up with me and making it hard to pay my bills. I am also missing the creativity and purpose of my former career, and staying would mean not only would I be giving up travel, but I would also be giving up my chances to do something creative full-time.
This leads to the next question: where am I headed next? The short answer is: I don’t know. The long answer? I want to find a “home base,” and a creative job in a place I can see my self-living long-term. I have focused a lot of my search for jobs in Florida, as that is where home is for me. However, I am also applying for positions in Australia, Singapore, and other places in the states and around the world. The outcomes of these applications will determine where I head next.
How does this have anything to do with me “taking back my life?” Well, I want a career again. I want to make and create meaningful content, whether that be at a tech company, a news organization or something else. I miss having a job that I am proud to go to every day. (Or at least a remote one that would let me travel.)
2017 will always be the year I decided to live abroad for the first time. Its been full of highs and lows and lots of life experiences I would’ve otherwise missed out on had I not done it. I have grown spiritually and emotionally, and I am so thankful for this year. Fortunately or unfortunately, my first stop on this adventure wasn’t meant to be the final stop. It’s scary and frightening to be back to “not knowing” where I will be in a few months again, but it’s also a little exciting.
However, if you still want more New Zealand content, don’t worry! I have quite a few new adventures to write up and share with you, as well as a potential 4 more months here, so you can look forward to that in 2018.
If you love lighthouses, New Zealand is the place to be. Honestly, I think I’ve walked and hiked to more lighthouses in the Wellington area in the past 7 months then I did my entire life in the states.
That being said, when it comes to my favorite lighthouse here, that would easily be the one at Castlepoint.
Castle Point’s main, but not only attraction
The small town of Castlepoint is about a 2 and a half hour drive outside Wellington in the Wairarapa Region. It’s pretty rural and home to just over 1,600 people. But what it lacks in residents it makes up for in pure beauty.
The obvious attraction at the Castlepoint scenic reserve is the lighthouse, but that’s not all there is to see. Because this is New Zealand, there is also a trail for you to climb, in addition to a number of sandy beaches.
Upon arrival, you’re going to want to climb to the lighthouse first thing, but I would advise you save that for last. That’s because the walk to the lighthouse is quite easy and quick, so you won’t need a lot of energy to get it done. However, you’ll need a bit more to finish and enjoy the Deliverance Cove track, so I suggest you do that first. (And trust me, I don’t suggest hikes unless they are worth it!)
The trek is only about 45 minutes long and is mostly flat. It starts at the parking lot and takes you around the area’s picturesque lagoon. The actual trek ends on the beach, but if you are daring, fit and confident, there is a hidden (and harder) trek that offers beautiful views from above.
The view from Castle Rock of Deliverance CoveA look back at the path to the top
I am generally a rule-follower, and had I been to Castlepoint alone I probably would’ve ended up on the beach. (Also, because I dream to spend every day of my life on the sand.) However, on the day I explored Castlepoint, I went with my friend Rose, who is definitely more on the adventurous side. (Also she doesn’t like sand.) Rose saw a few people climbing up to the top of Castle Rock instead of down, so we followed.
To be clear: while there were a lot of other people headed up the rock with us, this climb is not an official track. There is no path that is cared for or maintained by anyone, and it is steep. At times, it feels like you are going up the rock at a 90-degree angle. And if that wasn’t tricky enough, there are no trees or shelter to shield you from the area’s wind, so you really have to find secure places to land your feet, and occasionally take a seat to make sure you are grounded.
But like any great hike here in New Zealand, the views from the top are spectacular. You can see so much from the top of Castle Rock: from the beach at Deliverance Cove, to the tiny town of Castlepoint, to the lighthouse, to the stunning blues and turquoise of the Pacific Ocean, it is breathtaking. So far, I think it has to be my favorite vantage point I have climbed to in New Zealand.
Deliverance Cove
But what goes up, must come down. The hike to Deliverance Cove is one way, meaning you have to return on the same path. This isn’t an issue on the official track, as it is big enough for pedestrians in both directions, however, that is not the case for the unofficial climb up and down the rock. This means you have to find creative ways around people going in the other direction, while also fighting gravity and wind. It wasn’t incredibly difficult, but it is a hazard to be aware of. Luckily for me, it was something that was encountered on the way down.
After returning to the parking lot, its a quick walk over the beach to the lighthouse trek. The walk itself starts actually starts along a rock in the water, which means the installed concrete path is sometimes wet from the tide. From there, its a bunch of simple wooden boardwalks over the water and apparently a reef, to the lighthouse.
This area is apparently known for marine mammals and birds, although I have to say we didn’t see anything other than seagulls on our visit. Still, the scenery and jagged, rocky coast are stunning. It reminded me a little of forts on the sea, like Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Florida. It’s a feeling Captain James Cook also shared, having named the place “Castlepoint” because it reminded him of the battlements of a castle.
The castle-like rocks that hold the lighthouse
I could’ve spent the day there, but it was quite windy and neither of us had brought our bathing suits or fishing rods, so we headed home shortly after the trip to the lighthouse. On the way back we stopped at Tinui Bar and Cafe. Now, for any tourists visiting the area this is a must because this place sells the best, and least-expensive Manuka Honey of anywhere I’ve been in this country. For about $14 NZD ($9.50 USD,) you can get a jar of this stuff, that is not only tasty but is also known worldwide for its medicinal properties. This is why Manuka Honey usually runs upwards $30 to $50 NZD a jar, and why this is such an amazing find.
In all, if you ever find yourself in the Wellington Region on a summer’s day, make sure you make the drive to Castlepoint. It is the best day trip any beach or lighthouse lover can take. And hey, there’s a hike too.
The lighthouse, with Deliverance Cove and Castle Point in the background
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 Australian Countryside
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!)
The creepy toiletIt 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.)
My view for breakfastSheraton Grand Mirage, Gold Coast
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.
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 picturesque Whitsunday islandsThe 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 LookoutViews 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.
One side of the Hill Inlet LookoutThe 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 photosMore hiking to the beach
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 BeachHaving 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.
The view of Airlie Beach from our boat
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.
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.
Townsville from “Simply Tops”
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.
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.
A peek inside the Cairns Night Market
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.
The Grill’d “Do Good” jars
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
Today is Thanksgiving in the states. While it’s not the first time I’ve “missed” the holiday with my family (working in news will do that to you,) it is my first one being quite literally half a world away, which, surprisingly, is a little difficult for me. In addition to missing my friends and family, I am also missing the “Thanksgiving atmosphere” that tends to fill the States this week. You know what I’m talking about: that festive feeling that the holiday season is upon us.
However, I do want to take a moment to express how thankful I am for all of you reading along and following my experience at the moment. Your input and comments really continue to inspire me to write more, share more, and even just keep going when things get tough. I am amazed at how many of you are interested in my travels and wellbeing; your love and support mean the world to me, and without it, I probably would’ve stopped blogging months ago.
I also want to say how thankful I am for the experience I am having at the moment in New Zealand. I have met so many people here who have supported me through some dark times (and I’m not just talking about the short days!) I also have a wonderful job and a flurry of opportunity ahead thanks to the skills I have learned during my stay here. This experience has also brought me closer to a lot of people back home who I lost contact with and that makes my heart happy.
I do have plans to celebrate the holiday in New Zealand next week, so maybe I’ll write a full post about that at some point, but for now, I just wanted to share a few things I am thankful for with you on this special day.
