Thursday, September 10, 2015
Fiji and Kuranda Photos
Cairns: Kuranda trip
Good morning again!! Today is the day that we go to the reef. . . I am so excited. We talked to a young couple yesterday while riding in a cable car as they'd just been to the reef the day before. They got me even more excited! But that'll be the post for tomorrow. . .
Yesterday we went to a village called Kuranda, up in the rain forest. We took a train up there that was built by 1500 men over a period of 23 years. An incredible feat once you see what must have been involved. It was started in 1882 and all the men had to build it with were axes and picks and there were 15 tunnels involved! They had to move 2.3 million cubic metres of earth, another amazing feat given that they only had mules to help them. But I digress. . .
We took the train up with beautiful scenic views all around. More than half-way there we stopped at the Barron Falls, the highest waterfall in Oz. It was amazing - well worth the trip. But what was to come was even more exciting for me. Once at the village, we headed over to the Koala Park and Bird World. We paid extra so I could hold one of the koalas - his name was Fred - and I was amazed at how much the little guy weighed! They don't move much at all and the trainer places him in your arms. They don't let you really pet them or anything but I asked if I could once she took him back from me. They have to have the lowest metabolisms in the world because they always look like they want to go to sleep. There were 2 others nearby, both sleeping, and they are just adorable. My first reaction was how heavy Fred was.
After Fred, we walked around to see the wombats, fed a wallaby, saw Squirrel Gliders, crocs, water dragons, and kangaroos. My kind of place!! Connected to the Park was Bird World, which also exceeded my expectations. It's a huge, covered (netted) dome with all kind of exotics and local birds flying all around you, some landing on people's heads and shoulders. I had to take off my earrings and necklace because the parrots like to take those things! We took tons of pictures because they have feeders all around the walkways right in front of you so you can just stand there and the birds fly in to eat. They had just introduced a new cassowary to the area but she was still acclimatizing and stayed under a bush.
When we came down from Kuranda, we took the SkyRail which skimmed the tops of the rain forest. Really pretty but not as awe-inspiring as the train. We got back around 5:30 so the day was gone. We headed back to the Esplanade to find a smallish meal as neither of us were very hungry. We started talking to a couple next to us, from NSW, and they gave us several suggestions for places to stop as we drive along the southern coast.
(Pictures are loading veeeeery slowly from this website - will post them later!)
Yesterday we went to a village called Kuranda, up in the rain forest. We took a train up there that was built by 1500 men over a period of 23 years. An incredible feat once you see what must have been involved. It was started in 1882 and all the men had to build it with were axes and picks and there were 15 tunnels involved! They had to move 2.3 million cubic metres of earth, another amazing feat given that they only had mules to help them. But I digress. . .
We took the train up with beautiful scenic views all around. More than half-way there we stopped at the Barron Falls, the highest waterfall in Oz. It was amazing - well worth the trip. But what was to come was even more exciting for me. Once at the village, we headed over to the Koala Park and Bird World. We paid extra so I could hold one of the koalas - his name was Fred - and I was amazed at how much the little guy weighed! They don't move much at all and the trainer places him in your arms. They don't let you really pet them or anything but I asked if I could once she took him back from me. They have to have the lowest metabolisms in the world because they always look like they want to go to sleep. There were 2 others nearby, both sleeping, and they are just adorable. My first reaction was how heavy Fred was.
After Fred, we walked around to see the wombats, fed a wallaby, saw Squirrel Gliders, crocs, water dragons, and kangaroos. My kind of place!! Connected to the Park was Bird World, which also exceeded my expectations. It's a huge, covered (netted) dome with all kind of exotics and local birds flying all around you, some landing on people's heads and shoulders. I had to take off my earrings and necklace because the parrots like to take those things! We took tons of pictures because they have feeders all around the walkways right in front of you so you can just stand there and the birds fly in to eat. They had just introduced a new cassowary to the area but she was still acclimatizing and stayed under a bush.
When we came down from Kuranda, we took the SkyRail which skimmed the tops of the rain forest. Really pretty but not as awe-inspiring as the train. We got back around 5:30 so the day was gone. We headed back to the Esplanade to find a smallish meal as neither of us were very hungry. We started talking to a couple next to us, from NSW, and they gave us several suggestions for places to stop as we drive along the southern coast.
(Pictures are loading veeeeery slowly from this website - will post them later!)
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
G'Day To All from Australia
G-day mates!! We are now in the land of the down-under. We traveled all day yesterday (getting up at 4 AM, I might mention) and hit the ground running when we arrived in Cairns at 4:30 PM. There was another time change so it's all very confusing until I get my head around it.
We settled into the hotel and then went out to walk down to the Esplanade (the street running parallel to the water). It was getting dark so was very picturesque as all the lights started coming on. We walked along for many blocks after leaving the sort of board-walk that runs right along the beach. It seems like all of Cairns is out in the evening, either running, walking dogs or children, or drinking in the bars along the streets. Jay said I spend too much time talking about food so I won't elaborate on our meal last night. It was nothing special anyway -- just seafood fare. Our hotel is very modest but in a great location - just 2 blocks from the water and near most downtown sights. After collapsing in bed -- early once again -- Jay got up at 5 to call the local Skyrail for tickets today. If we couldn't get on the package deal, we'd have to take a taxi to another town to catch the train to Kuranda, to small village that houses a butterfly sanctuary, koala gardens, and bird world. The idea is to take the Sky Train one way and the Skyrail the other; that way one gets to see the huge waterfall (that is famous in this area) more closely as the train goes right by it but the skyrail goes over the rain forest - so the sights are very different. The trip is several miles. Will post about that later.
Jay reminded me that I didn't mention the island trip we took day before yesterday while still in Fiji. We went to South Sea Island and the weather did not cooperate very well. It was very windy and was subsequently hard for the smaller boat to dock to the catamaran that we took to the island. In fact it got a little scary at times. We did go on a semi-submersible in order to see the fishes around the reefs that encircle the island. That was neat but VERY cramped and I actually started feeling claustrophobic, a first for me. I tried to concentrate on all the varied fish, an incredible amount among the different types of corals. I imagine it's just a taste for what's to come with the Great Barrier Reef, which is tomorrow. We also had a cooking demonstration on the island of "cooking" fresh fish with just vinegar and salt. Then he used several fruits and veggies and topped it all off with fresh coconut milk. Yum. Of course, it helps if you have all those ingredients to hand!
Well, we're off in just a few for the all day train/rail ride. I'll post -- hopefully with some pictures -- later. Our computer is running extremely slowly here so we'll need more time. Keep your fingers crossed that we get good pictures with our new under-water camera!!!! It was baptized in Fiji but only in the pool!
We settled into the hotel and then went out to walk down to the Esplanade (the street running parallel to the water). It was getting dark so was very picturesque as all the lights started coming on. We walked along for many blocks after leaving the sort of board-walk that runs right along the beach. It seems like all of Cairns is out in the evening, either running, walking dogs or children, or drinking in the bars along the streets. Jay said I spend too much time talking about food so I won't elaborate on our meal last night. It was nothing special anyway -- just seafood fare. Our hotel is very modest but in a great location - just 2 blocks from the water and near most downtown sights. After collapsing in bed -- early once again -- Jay got up at 5 to call the local Skyrail for tickets today. If we couldn't get on the package deal, we'd have to take a taxi to another town to catch the train to Kuranda, to small village that houses a butterfly sanctuary, koala gardens, and bird world. The idea is to take the Sky Train one way and the Skyrail the other; that way one gets to see the huge waterfall (that is famous in this area) more closely as the train goes right by it but the skyrail goes over the rain forest - so the sights are very different. The trip is several miles. Will post about that later.
Jay reminded me that I didn't mention the island trip we took day before yesterday while still in Fiji. We went to South Sea Island and the weather did not cooperate very well. It was very windy and was subsequently hard for the smaller boat to dock to the catamaran that we took to the island. In fact it got a little scary at times. We did go on a semi-submersible in order to see the fishes around the reefs that encircle the island. That was neat but VERY cramped and I actually started feeling claustrophobic, a first for me. I tried to concentrate on all the varied fish, an incredible amount among the different types of corals. I imagine it's just a taste for what's to come with the Great Barrier Reef, which is tomorrow. We also had a cooking demonstration on the island of "cooking" fresh fish with just vinegar and salt. Then he used several fruits and veggies and topped it all off with fresh coconut milk. Yum. Of course, it helps if you have all those ingredients to hand!
Well, we're off in just a few for the all day train/rail ride. I'll post -- hopefully with some pictures -- later. Our computer is running extremely slowly here so we'll need more time. Keep your fingers crossed that we get good pictures with our new under-water camera!!!! It was baptized in Fiji but only in the pool!
Sunday, September 6, 2015
More from Fiji
Ni sa bula!!! It's our 3rd day here on Denarau Island in Fiji and we just had breakfast. Once again, it was wonderful! I tried a couple new things and am really going to miss this tomorrow as we leave bright and early for the airport -- 4:50 AM!! Walking back to our room, we noticed a crab in the children's wading pool. Being more concerned about the crab than the little kiddies, we told the nearest employee about it and he caught it and took it away. Hope it doesn't show up on the breakfast menu tomorrow!
Yesterday we pretty much sat around all day out by the pool and found that we must not be good leisure people. We did read a bit in between sitting in the hot tub with bubbles and then swimming in the cooler pool water (which is regulated, by the way, according to the seasons!) By 3 PM, Jay said "can we go now?" so we left to head to the room and look up eating venues, then took off for the "big" city. Today, we're heading out to the islands -- specifically the South Sea Island -- to snorkel and ride a submersible under water to view the reefs and life below. Should be another relaxing day (!) so we'll do our best to relax! We have to get up really early tomorrow! Ni sa moce!
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Bula! Hello from Fiji!
Bula!! Hello from Fiji.We made it even though we weren't sure that would happen halfway through the long flight!
We got on the plane at 11:30 PM after a really long wait, bus ride to the plane itself, and then another wait. We were a little keyed up so I watched a movie before I tried to sleep. And "tried" is the operative word. Although the seats reclined in a different way than we were used to -- better, I thought -- it was still really difficult to sleep for the length of time necessary. I got a couple of hours in but watched 2 1/2 movies as well! When we arrived at the Fiji hotel, we were exhausted (7 in the morning) and couldn't get into our room right away. Once we got into the room, we slept for a couple of hours and then bought a bus pass to tour the "island". Our part of the island was small and the bus -- called the Bula Bus, complete with thatched roof and open air sides -- was a great way to get around.
Everyone here is so friendly and I've been reading about the culture. Very interesting philosophy here and I hope they can maintain it through so many dealings with outsiders. We ate dinner in the town of Port Denarau rather than in the resort area. It overlooked the water and was beautiful to watch the setting sun and the clouds rolling in.
After dinner, we walked over to the place where they were preparing a fire for 4 men to walk on the coals. They make a big production of it and it takes about an hour in all. They start with a short ceremony of the drinking of the yaqona vakaturaga ( which I still have to research to see what it's made of). Then they stoke the fire, talk some more, and then walk and sometimes stand on the hot rocks waiting for everyone to clap at their bravery. There is a lot of ceremony involved in this culture and I'm finding it very interesting.
First impressions: as we got off the plane, the FIRST thing we heard as we walked through the ramp was an incredible sound of birds!!(Anne Marie and Janet: I thought of you both!!) Turns out they are Mynah birds, mainly, and are everywhere. At the hotel, they roost in the eaves of buildings and you hear them first thing in the morning. I'm loving this! On our walk back from breakfast, we saw a tiny Peale's-Fiji Parrot Finch. Hopefully the uploaded picture came out!
I could also get used to these breakfasts. Incredible buffets with assortments of everything! I tried all the fruit even though I don't know what half of them were! The bread is delicious and they don't even but butter out. There is a little bar that has small glasses of all kinds of smoothies using local fruits and you can pick the fruit combinations you want for a breakfast juice!
Today started with a little rain and that's why I got this posting done. The sun is up now and we'll be heading out to the beach and pools for a more relaxing day. Tomorrow, we plan on taking a tour of the islands since we have to get up at 4 AM on Tuesday to head to the airport for our 8 AM flight to Brisbane. Hope you enjoy the pics. . . that's Jay's job (to upload).
Today started with a little rain and that's why I got this posting done. The sun is up now and we'll be heading out to the beach and pools for a more relaxing day. Tomorrow, we plan on taking a tour of the islands since we have to get up at 4 AM on Tuesday to head to the airport for our 8 AM flight to Brisbane. Hope you enjoy the pics. . . that's Jay's job (to upload).
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