To start, I will teach you how to pronounce Cairns, you think you're saying it right, but you're not. Its pronounced "Cans," yup just like that, ignore the 'R' and the 'I' completely. The reason the 'R' isn't pronounced is because Australian's cannot pronounce hard "R's". If you know any Australian's, ask them to pronounce Marvellous or Amber, they can't, they say "Mahvellous" and "Amba," it's really quite funny when you start throwing words at them with R's in the middle, there accent really comes out then. Okay, enough making fun of Australians, and lets get back to the trip!
On the 13th, I went and picked up the rental car in the morning, we got a pretty sweet holden cruze to drive for the trip in a gorgeous blue green color, quite the luxury vehicle actually, but not very much trunk space.
Me being super excited to drive after not driving 5 months!
Amber and Mike getting cozy in the backseat!
Meena the designated direction giver.
Speaking of Meena being the designated direction giver, as we are heading out of Newcastle and onto the open road, when Meena asks Amber the address for the hotel that we are staying in tonight, Amber promptly gives her the address, and Meena's response is are you sure cause that's 17 hours away. Now I can't completely blame Amber for this incredibly long stretch of driving because she asked me if the hotels were okay, and instead of looking at the destination, I just looked at the city, so oops on both of our parts! Here are some of the amazing pictures from the country side on our first 17 hour drive!
The above pictures kind of look like home a little bit. Flat prairie farm land, which is exactly what it was. No koalas, or kangaroos or anything out of the ordinary, just plain old New South Wales.
Such a beautiful sunset on our first night driving. Just so peaceful and calm.
And then there was Queensland....
Now Queensland is a beautiful state, but at night it is pitch black, and you can't see nothing! About 2 hours driving into Queensland, we pass a cop on the opposite side of the road and he turns on his lights and makes a U-turn. I'm like oh my god, what did I do wrong, I wasn't speeding, whats the issue. So he comes over to my window and he's like why do you look so nervous, as he has 3 foreigners staring at him, going over everything in our minds what could be the issue. I was like well I don't know why you pulled us over, he was like its just a random breath test to see if you've been drinking. I'm like oh okay, let me blow away! He was like I need to see your license and registration, I'm like well here is my license but I don't have the registration as its a rental car, he was like no worries, and takes my license back to the police car, and a few minutes later comes back and it like, there have been reports of this car stolen from Newcastle, I'm like what?! Meena is like no, no, no, and starts reaching for the documents of rental agreement, and Amber and Mike are just staring at each other speechless, and the officer kept going on about how the car was stolen, and how we must have picked up the wrong car, and as Mike opens his car door, to I don't know what he was going to do, run away and leave us 3 girls stranded there dealing with an officer who thinks we stole a car, he says, yes there are reports of 3 incredible gullible Canadian's travelling through Queensland, I wanted to punch him, totally was not funny, as I have a sigh of relief and Meena bursts out laughing. He gave us the drive safe lecture and how there are lots of kangaroos and how he didn't want to be responding to an accident tonight involving this car, I promised him I would drive safe, and just before he left, I asked if I was going to have a breathalyzer test, he was like didn't I do that, I was like nope, so he went back to his car got the test, and I blew my very first breathalyzer and it came back as zero. He sent us on our way, as we still had 8ish hours of driving to do.
As we continued to drive through Queensland, cursing the officer for scaring us shitless, we started to see the kangaroos just standing giving us death glares from the ditches they stood in. There were dead kangaroos all over the road, so I slowed down to try to dodge them laying in the road, thank goodness I did because next thing I know there is a family of kangaroos standing right in the middle of the road. I slam on my brakes, honk the horn, flash my brights, but nothing makes them move, they just glare at you, and you sit there in your car hoping no one in coming up behind you. Finally they move and I can continue on my way, slowly, hands shaking from so many near misses, these dumb kangaroos will be standing in the ditch then hop right at your car and in front of your car, I swear they think it is a game. It was not a game for me, and was very thankful for my fast reflexes that night driving. At around 1030 we stopped in a little town, filled up with gas, got some Macca's and I let Meena drive. I don't know if I like other people driving, that means relinquishing control over to someone else, and I don't handle not being in control very well, but my eyes were tired and sore, so I knew I had to let Meena drive. I can't sleep in cars so I sat in the passenger seat being the kangaroo watcher while Meena drove the last few hours to Capella. Our hotel in Capella was really nice, to bad we only got to sleep there for 5 hours before we got back in the car to continue to drive. I let Meena drive most of the day, because my allergies were so bad I could barely open my eyes, we were surrounded by cotton fields and I most definitely blame those. On the way up, we stopped at Mike's Aunt's house, and since he didn't know the exact way and we were out of the reception area for our phones, we stopped and asked these men working on the side of the road. Let me just put it out there, what they say about men and directions is true, they most definitely took us the long way around, and on only gravel road. As I say, we took the scenic route.
And by scenic I mean gravel and the odd tree.
After an hour at Mike's Aunt's house we continued to drive up to Townsville where we had supper at Cactus Jacks. It was delicious. Townsville is where I could have gone to University but I chose Newcastle instead. It was dark when we drove through the city so we didn't see much of it, but from what we did see, it looked very nice, and it was definitely a lot warmer than Newcastle, that's for sure!
We arrived in Cairns at 1:00 in the morning. Meena and I were both exhausted, as we checked into the hotel Amber booked us for the night, it was so sketchy, so I didn't care cause I was tired, my head felt like it was going to explode for allergies and all I wanted to do was hit the pillow. Which I did and I fell asleep instantly!
The next day when we woke up I was so grateful for not having to get in a car in drive for hours upon end!!! We drove down to the Esplanade, and went to look at the beautiful beach and ocean in Cairns since we couldn't check into our hotel until 2. Apparently you cannot swim in the ocean in Cairns as there are crocodiles in it. So here is a picture of the wonderful beach and ocean of Cairns...
It was low tide so it was all dried up!
It wasn't a very pretty view, so we continued on our walk to find some place to eat for lunch. We decided on Outback Jacks, which was a steakhouse that served crocodile, although I was never brave enough to order it! As we ate our lunch we ordered drinks, and Meena brought up the fact that we don't have drinking glasses, so we need to get some, so what did we do, we bought drinking glasses, the super classy ones that don't break and have sippy lids for minimal spillage!
Like I said, super classy! Amber and I were team Blue, and Meena and Mike were team Green!
After lunch we went to our hotel, which thank god, was not sketchville, but actually quite luxurious, and had a nap. All 4 of us just zonked out! When we woke up a little later we all got dressed up and went out for super, because why else would you go out for supper except to get dressed up! We ended up eating at the Bavarian Beerhouse, completely German, and had great beer, or at least I thought they did. Since it was Ambers birthday, we ordered shots, which were absolutely disgusting but the cute little glasses they came in made up for it!
See, aren't the glasses cute! And we were classy in shooting them as we held our pinky up!!
And then I made myself even classier by ordering this. That is 1 Liter of beer, and yes I did finish it. It was very good beer, and you can't let alcohol go to waste!!
This was my supper, I had been craving sausages for a long time, so I ordered the sausage platter, the only one that was good was the middle one, and I realized what I'm really wanting is perogies. Since Australian's have no idea what a perogie is, I guess I'll just have to wait till I go home to eat every last one in mom and dad's freezer. Oh and Grandma if you're reading this, it would be really nice if there were some homemade ones as well....please!
The next day we drove to Milla Milla and Josephine Falls. I was the only one brave enough to go in Milla Milla falls, the others claimed it was "to cold." Boo Hoo, Grow a Pair, Deal with it, you're from Canada, you're supposed to know what cold really is! Anyways, it was really nice, I tried to swim right underneath the water fall in Milla Milla, but the pressure was to much and it kept pushing me back, but I got close!
This is me getting ready to go take on the waterfall all by myself, cause my friends are scared of the cold and slimy rocks. Mike has an excuse, he is Australian, it was kind of cold for him, Meena also has an excuse, she has a fear of water, but Amber, no excuses, you're supposed to be the tough farm girl from Alberta!
Getting closer and closer to the falls but never reaching it! I should also mention that Milla Milla Falls is where the famous Herbal Essence commercial was filmed, the one where the girl does the hair flip oh so perfectly, well here is my attempt at the oh so perfect hair flip. It is quite harder to achieve than one might think!
Getting Ready....
And Flip....
And then me laughing hysterically at myself cause everyone was staring!
Road Trip to Josephine Falls!
The reason we wanted to go to Josephine Falls was because there was a stone water slide! Who doesn't want to slide down a rock that is essentially a waterfall! Although the struggle was real trying to climb up the wet rock to slide down it!
The 3 brave souls going into the freezing cold water! And yes this time it was cold cause the sun had basically set already!
Here We Go!
Me freezing, trying to figure out how I am going to climb up that rock in front of me!
Here we go...
Oh look Mike is up already! Can you see Amber and I struggling at the bottom! And of course our lovely photographers feet!
There goes Mike!!
And here is Amber and I still struggling...
Weeeeee....says Michael on his way down
And oh look who is still struggling!
And finally we are up with a little bit of Mike's help.
Mike and Amber first!
Weeeeee...say Mike and Amber together on there way down!
My turn!
Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit, says Taija on her way down!
Swimming back to the rocks to get out of this freezing cold lake!
The next day we went white water rafting. No pictures to show for that yet, as I am waiting for the CD to be mailed to me! But it was a fun time, Amber and I sat in the front of the raft and got soaked! Halfway through our raft since we were in tame rapids with very little rocks we got to hop out of the rat and float down the Barron River on our bums! Just for a few minutes. That was probably the funnest part for me! They were only Class 3 rapids so a lot tamer than what I did in South America which I'm sure made Mom happy but don't worry I made up for it on Friday and Saturday. The Barron River that we rafted down led into Lake Placid where the movie Lake Placid was filmed. Apparently there are crocodiles in there farther down but apparently "we" didn't go that far down. It was a super awesome raft ride with some super awesome people!
Our one and only picture of that day so far! All geared up and ready to get wet!
Our boat for the day!
The harbour first thing in the morning.
Leaving beautiful Cairns behind us.
The crystal clear bright blue ocean!
Trying to put the wet suit on, because according to Mike, the zipper goes in the back!
Yes we know this most unflattering suit in the world is on backwards!
Getting ready to face plant into the water
And down I go!
The brown is the reef
Mike and Amber snorkelling!
Meena getting her tan on! And Amber and Mike drying off from there brief snorkelling dip.
Here are some underwater pictures that the photographer took while I was diving!
Aren't the colors of the reef amazing?!
Don't ask what i'm holding cause I don't know. It was just handed to me and the thoughts going through my head were, omg, is it going to bite me, is it going to be slimy, does it move, what do I do with it afterwards. It honestly felt like a fluffy pillow in my hand.
When I saw Nemo, I literally screamed Nemo, granted I had a mouthpiece in and I was underwater so it more than likely came only sounded like Nemo in my head.
This poor guy had a hook in his arm, the photographer told me that it eventually rusts out, but its still sad to see such a beautiful creature harmed.
Friday night I was exhausted, my body hurt from swimming and carrying that super heavy oxygen tank around on my back. I have a theory that even though it is as light as air underwater, your body still feels the weight of it. Which is why I felt like I just did an intense round at the gym. I had a mini power nap when I got home then drove into the city to find some place to eat for supper. I have to mention this because I am super proud of myself, I parallel parked the car on the road, first try. Boo yah, Go Me! You see this is an accomplishment because you must remember it is the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car. Anyways, just wanted to brag a little bit about my awesome driving skills! We went Outback Jacks for supper cause Amber wanted ribs, and it seemed like a good place to go. We didn't stay out late though, we went back to the hotel early, and I passed out from an exhausting day of swimming with Nemo.
Saturday morning came to quickly, but I was excited for it, today was the day that I was doing what I have been wanting to do for years, jump out of an airplane! Here is the video link of me jumping out of an airplane!
I can't even begin to explain the feeling of jumping out of an airplane, you want to scream, you want to faint, you want to puke all at once, but it is also incredibly liberating all at the same time. You have no control you are just falling, with the cool air whipping your face, hoping that the dude you're strapped to is going to pull that parachute before it is to late. Little did I know, I should have enjoyed the free fall more because pulling the parachute hurts! He let me control the parachute for a little bit which was super awesome as well, although its a lot heavier and harder to pull than I thought. It was amazing just floating over an empty farmers field with the rainforest to one side and the ocean to the other, it's definitely a vision I will have imprinted in my mind for a very long time! Take a look at the awesome photos.
I can't even begin to explain the feeling of jumping out of an airplane, you want to scream, you want to faint, you want to puke all at once, but it is also incredibly liberating all at the same time. You have no control you are just falling, with the cool air whipping your face, hoping that the dude you're strapped to is going to pull that parachute before it is to late. Little did I know, I should have enjoyed the free fall more because pulling the parachute hurts! He let me control the parachute for a little bit which was super awesome as well, although its a lot heavier and harder to pull than I thought. It was amazing just floating over an empty farmers field with the rainforest to one side and the ocean to the other, it's definitely a vision I will have imprinted in my mind for a very long time! Take a look at the awesome photos.
It was so much fun, and I have been asked a lot since I jumped if I'd do it again, and yes I would. Honestly the worst thing about jumping out of an airplane, is trying to get a brush through your hair afterwards, literally next to impossible!
On Sunday we started our drive home, I was sad to be leaving the beautiful tropical weather but was also kind of glad I'd soon have my own bed and shower. Oh the necessities you miss while vacationing! We had booked 2 nights in Brisbane, but once again we did not take into account how far Brisbane was from Cairns so we decided to drive 13 hours and stay the night in Rockhampton, it was a fairly easy drive, and we got into our hotel around 11:30, we wanted to go shopping in Brisbane on the Monday so I told them since it was an 8 hour drive I would be getting up at 5:30 and we would be checked out by 6 in the morning. Amber is by far the worst person to try and wake up in the morning, she just does not budge at all, she just clings to the bed and tells me to go away. Yet she is the only person that can sleep in a car. We got our Macca's breakfast and hit the road. We made it into Brisbane at 2, and thats when my single lane highway turned into a double lane, and then into 5 lanes. Yup 5 lanes, once again, growing up in Saskatchewan, you don't know how to deal with 5 lanes, which lane do you drive in?!?! Brisbane was an expensive city, the malls closed at 5 so we went there first and would check into our hotel after. We parked in the parkade because there was no street parking and didn't want to waste time circling. We spent about an hour and half in the mall, we would have spent longer, but well, the stores were way out of our price range, but hey at least I got a Starbucks out of it, two actually. I was so Starbucks deprived that I bought myself 2 different drinks. A passion tea lemonade and a hazelnut macchiato, I just couldn't decide, and I figured the next time I'll probably have Starbucks will be December, so why not just yolo it as Meena and Amber would put it. Once we left the mall, and went back to the car to leave the parkade, I put the token that I was given into the machine so I could pay to leave, and it was $48.00, yup, that's not a typo, $48.00 for an hour and a half of parking, Meena and I simultaneously said Holy Shit, and had mini heart attacks. Note to self, I can not live in Brisbane, to expensive. We paid the tab and left to our hostel that we were staying in for the night. We got ready, and went out for supper, and were back at the hostel and I was in bed sleeping before 10. It was wonderful. The next morning I got up at 7:30 and we started to make the final drive home, 10 hours to Newcastle from Brisbane and we were planning to stop in Byron's Bay, which we were told is the most Eastern part of Australia, so it will be the closest I will ever be to Canada from Australia. I was talking to mom as I was there and she said she could see me waving in the distance....;)
Byron's Bay is beautiful, I will definitely go back up there and spend a few days, although the beaches were empty and the wind was making big waves, there was just something about the city that was so peaceful and relaxing, no one was in a rush, you were just there in that moment. It was a great feeling after being in a busy bustling Brisbane the previous day. We went to see the lighthouse, but the views from the lighthouse literally took my breath away.
The views are breathtaking and the pictures definitely do not do it justice. So if you ever decide to come to Australia, make sure Byron's Bay is on your list of places to stop!
