OZ update!

27 Oct

Hot Air Ballooning.

Minibus picked us up at 0440 hours and we were given a piece of 'bad news'. Nope, the weather's fine, but we were going to get a free upgrade to a one-hour balloon flight, because only one couple (which we had yet to pick up) was doing the one-hour flight (All of ours were half-hour flights) and 'it 's not nice to throw you(us) all overboard'. Good on ya, Mate! :)
The flight was rather spectacular. We managed to spot kangeroos, catch a glimpse of mariajuana country (Yes, it's in the Northern Territories, those small-scale drug lords...)
Hovering precariously over a crocodile-infested stream, we finally made a smooth landing (only 3 bumps qualifies the landing as a smooth one), helped with the packing up before heading to the Museum for a champagne breakfast.

Back at the motel for a nap.

Went to Cairns Central (The Mall) for some retail therapy, passing a Crazy Clark's along the way. It's a discounter/liquidators shop, and prices are rather reasonable in Sing Dollar terms.

Lunch at the International Food Court at the Mall. Settled on Thai Cruisine... At A$8.50 for Rice+2 side dishes, it wasn't exactly cheap...

28 Oct

Continental Breakfast.

Kuranda and Rainforestation Tour. A more relaxing last-minute tour after two rather hectic days.

Gondola to Kuranda. Simply, a cable car ride that stretches nearly ten kilometres over three stations. At the Barron Falls Station, we took a walk to the viewing platform nearby and boy, were we utterly disappointed! It was merely a trickleor water, and the 'lake' which serviced the falls was a mere 'puddle of water'!

Got a boomerang at the Kuranda Original Markets, a Tropical Crush drink and a 'LEWD' cap and T-shirt at the cultural (new) markets.

Running a little late, so we hurriedly boarded the bus to take us to the rainforestation village.

BBQ lunch at the restaurant in the reforestation village. Consisted of a fine buffet spread: Pork sausages, chicken chop, beef steaks and a palate of cheese.

Did a duck tour and saw an aboriginal cultural dance, where the 'aboriginals' did their routine, bellowing like wild monkeys and hopping around like Chickens on steriods.

Did some boomerang throwing, observed how the Dooderidoo was played and saw the use of the javelin.

Dinner at the Food Court within the Night Markets. Fish & Chips. At A$7.90, it's on the 'reasonalbe' scale.
More shopping... :P

Will carry on next week, so stay tuned to find out where we're going after Cairns!

Swee Shoon