We spended the next two full days in Cairns. With heaps of fun and 'regulair life things' like movie, shopping etc. After that we finally said goodbye to our free camping spot behind the diving centre. Which we abused a bit longer than they expected. We went to an aboriginal show. Which was lovely, small, interesting and cozy. Instead of the big massive show we expected. They were 5 shows on 1 ticket. Which included; boomerang throwing, speer throwing, aboriginal history, western last century history and a show with musical instruments and a bit of traditional dancing. Was very cool.
Then we decided to go to Cooktown. Which soon became 'Cookie'. First we decided to make a little detour to Cape Tribulation. Which was absolutely gourgious. Rainforest meets reef. Strange view. We stayed at the campside for 2 nights. We couldn't go snorkelling in the reef because of the wind that brought in a lot of Bleu bottles. But we were able to get fresh coconuts of the beach and drink out of them. Or eat them. While doing some of the walks around there we found a 1-1.5 M lizzard. Quite harmless, but very impressive. The day we left I first took a refresing dive in the waterhole at the info centre. Swimming in between the fishies. Murf thought it would be a bit too cold. So I had a solo swim. We went to a rainforest centre but that was a bit too expensive for us. So we rather did the free boardwalk a little bit further on the road. Didn't see any Cassowary. Although more than enough warnings. We started our drive up to Cookie. Through the inland road because the coastal road is 4x4 drive only. Inland is almost 100% sealed. Except for 30 km where they are working on very hard. We slept that night somewhere along the piece of dirtroad next to a swamp. In between piles of cow dung. (not everything is heaven.)
The next day we arrove in Cookie. First too booking centre where we had a new worker so we just dropped al our request and left so she could sort that out for us. We went for breakfast and some driving around in this tinnie-tiny (right spelling is appriciated) village. Looked a bit dull and dead. But hey. Seen grassy hill. Which wasn't really mend to drive with our car. But she made it. Then went to campsite and had some relax time. Then back to the centre. Our aboriginal tour was a bit expensive. The diving trip was a whole diffrent story. From the 2 opperaters only one was functioning. Though the boat was out for repair and they didn't have a divemaster. (always required on board)The owner was completly stressing to get that done. So if we could call back later. With us were two other people who we started to have a chat with. Ended up at a 4 star restaurant next to the booking centre for dinner with the four of us. Which was fun because they pretended to be very chique. (do you have a reservation?) But the serving and food were not really of quality. (food to late, missing pieces of orders etc.) We had a good chat though with Brady and Chrissie. They did do the coastal road and barely servived with their backpacker 4x4. Also did there open water course in Cairns with Pro-dive two days before us. And also looking for new dive spots up north. After dinner we called back, the lady wasn't home. So we searched for some drinks to ease time till 9 to call again. All the pubs though were closed. We ended up at an RSL that closed at 9 and gave us enough time to have a drink. After calling back she could not give us any news and if we could come to the booking centre in the morning. Everybody went home and to sleep. The peninsula camping where we stayed was not very luxurious. But cheapest in town and showers and toilets were the cleanest that I have seen so far. (and no animals hanging around)
the next morning we got breaky at the bakery. In Murfs' opinion they have the best pies he ever tasted. I haven't tried them. Then to bookingcentre again. No Brady and Chrissie. And no lady of the ship. The centre said that she wasn't possible to do anything for us. So we went to Cookmuseum where I really wanted to go. Was a bit expensive for what they offered. But was nice to hang around for a bit. Where lot of diffrent expositions about the history of the town. (aboriginals, gold rush, chinese, captain cook, the building etc.) After that we found Brady and Chrissie outside apparently waiting for us. Because the four of us were almost the only backpackers in town we wouldn't have been that hard to find. We all decided to go to Port Douglas to see what they had to offer on diving. So imagine our van who doesn't drive faster than 80 km/h and backfires especially on hairpin roads a lot. And Brady and Chrissie's 4x4 who didn't drive more than 60 km/h uphill. But 90 km/h on flat roads. Ow and there car squeked a lot and lost some times a couple of parts. Should have been a funny sight. Especially after our backfires while people suddenly turned there heads. We had a lot of fun on the road and annoyed the traffic quite a lot. (not on purpose but that is just the combinations of the cars and there limitations) After arriving in Port Douglas (all the way till there we had this coach full of elderly people behind us or in front of us) we went straight for info. Turned out that you are only allowed to go down with a dive master. And as just certified people you don't want to be taken by hand. So after making that very clear we clearly went back to Cairns to see what we could sort out. (Chrissie has to fly back home quite soon, so a live aboard trip should be booked quite fast)
So we drove the coastal road to Cairns. The city we wouldn't return to because we already stayed so 'long'. We ended up back again. After dropping in a info centre our cheapest option would be a 2 day live aboard with 6 dives for the next day. We had to pay some extra fees. (hiring exuipment and reef tax) But for $330 we would be settled for two full days and 6 dives. Sounded good so we booked the 4 of us in. We ended up for some food at the night market & Rattle and Hum. Then an early bed because our pick-up was at 7.10 and we still had the pack everything. Sleeping over we did like many backpackers just at a parkingspot in town. Was a free spot and possible as long as you don't draw to much attention. Although we already seen backpackers hanging out there laundry out of the van and just with open door cooking etc. And parking our van for the couple of days that we were on board shouldn't be to much trouble as well. So that saved us storage. That's so far. Murf wants to type the rest ..
Love
Nicky
*oeps* Talking about updating when you are nog awake. I only forgot to mention Murfs' new haircut... (Beatles meet 21st century) With spiffy blue, purple & purple. (light en dark) Next to that fully blond. Getting use to but really cute.. *grin*
*oeps nr2* Blowing our second tire on a grid before Cookie. And next to that a 20 min quicker murf with replacing it. And I am hoping we don't blow another one, because that one is for me :s
*oeps nr3* I forgot the night after Cookie which we spend in The lions inn hotel. (or pub/cafe) Run 100% by woman, so always decent drunk guys. And we celebrated Brady's birthday there. Murf replaced 'drunk' (1st time for everything) our car from the front of the hotel to our campingspot behind the hotel. Everything went fine. And the pub is in his original old state. Fun Fun Fun.
*... I think I had them all right now...
Name and Email adres are required. Not because I like to harvest email adresses, but because I like to know who you are. Comment to a response I do rarely unless I find a feedback2feedback for MovableType. Don't worry, your email adress is at a clever way protected against harvesters so that won't become a problem.