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No, really baby, the garage in my mansion has two Porsches! I got them after saving that group of nuns and orphans from that burning building!
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Day 1
Cairns, Kuranda, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation
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- Bikinis: Good! Speedos: BAD!
- Dave the Driver
- Creepy crawly spiders
- Tequila, Michael Jackson, and a proposition
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Journal Entry
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The Reefs and Rainforests Contiki tour began with the rainforest portion, including a visit to Kuranda for a ride on the SkyRail, and then to Mossman Gorge. We crossed the Daintree River into Cape Tribulation that afternoon.
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Cape Tribulation is the only place where two World Heritage Areas meet - the Australian Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. The name Cape Tribulation comes from the travels and explorations of Captain James Cook, for this was where his trials and tribulations began.
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That's a bit of a jump...
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Day 2
Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield Falls
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- Crocodile waters
- Silly tree-huggers
- Tattoos
- Poop!
- Nicknames
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Journal Entry
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A morning beach walk welcomed us to day 2, which was followed by a trip along Bloomfield Track to Bloomfield Falls, and a dip in the Imogen River. A nighttime rainforest trek was enjoyed before feasting on an Indonesian meal and spending the evening at a local nightspot.
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Construction of Bloomfield Track came under considerable protest, and protesters attempted to block construction. To ensure the track's completion, the government maintained a skeleton crew by the protesters, and secretly continued construction in the opposite direction. Six months later, bulldozers pulled up behind the confused protesters with Bloomfield Track completed.
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We are the champions!
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Day 3
Cape Tribulation, Cairns, Fiztroy Island
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- Snorkeling lessons
- Reaching for the summit
- Rude tourists
- Massages
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Journal Entry
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Day 3 was spent on Fitzroy Island, with time to snorkel and laze on Nudey Beach, and conquer a torturous trek to the island summit. The evening was spent with dinner and drinks at the resort bar.
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I'm saaaaaailing awaaaaaay...!
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Day 4
Fitzroy Island, Cairns
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- Happy Birthday!
- Tour de Cairns
- From 12 to 50
- Group chemistry
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Journal Entry
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A free day in Cairns allowed some time to bike around town and visit the Botanic Gardens. As various tours merged for the Beaches and Reefs portion down the east coast, we met our new travel mates and went out on the town for the evening.
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Glug, glug, glug...
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Day 5
Cairns
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- SCUBA diving
- Wally
- Losing my noodles
- Slimy wriggly things
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Journal Entry
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Splitting from the suggested Contiki optional excursion, a pair of us joined a less expensive cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for SCUBA diving and snorkeling. After exploring the mysteries of the deep, we rejoined the tour for an evening out.
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The seventh Natural Wonder of the World, the Great Barrier Reef stretches 2300km long, and is home to over 1500 species of fish. Declared a World Heritage Area in 1981, the Reef is the only living structure on Earth visible from outer space.
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