never have i liked australia this much.. until i landed in Cairns last tuesday.
On last tuesday afternoon, i was welcomed by the wonderful weather in cairns, temperature was like 24 degrees celsius thereabouts, with the sun shining nevertheless. This is the kind of weather all Singaporeans would dream to have (even for day) locally.
After my 'breather', we headed to town area where our hotel were. This was the second time i've been there but previously was only for a night. There were buildings and signs which i could vaguely remember along the way to the hotel from the airport..
There we arrived at our hotel (which we're suppose to spend 6 nights).. it was the one i stayed last time round.. *disappointed*
Fast forward, we were lucky in the sense that we managed to change accomodation after much dismay from all crew. After 2 nights, we shifted to a 4.5 star hotel. This place was fabulous! We were probably 200 metres from the lagoon (very beautiful area for swimming especially if you want to catch the sunset).. and right behind it was the beach..
First thought that came to my mind was, "wah.. looks like one of the wallpaper i had on my desktop last time.." Im telling you.. the scenary was amazing! coupled with the sun going down the horizon made up by the ocean waters and misty mountains.. coloured with orange rays on a pinkish sky.. it was surely one of the most breathtaking picture i ever had in my mind. All these.. at the balcony of my hotel room.. how's that! :)
This were the lonely yet very beautiful moments one may have and wished that your better halves were there to experience it with you..
Apart from its' sceneries, this place was filled with energy! everywhere you go, you'll see restaurants, pubs, internet kiosks, cafes.. you name it, they have it. In particular, there's this kebab joint along the street that is just next to the beach named 'Oasis Kebab'.. it is a must try if u ever see it! the many sauces you get to choose from and the quantity they offer is pleasing.. i just love it.. a small chicken kebab cost A$8 and A$10 for a large one.. *drool*
If you're the kind that who likes beer and pizza.. 'Rattler n Hums' is definitely the place you wana be at! for myself, what i love best is their pizzas! They are prepared by in the most traditional way whereby you have this hemispheric stove made up of red bricks. inside it, fire is sustained by charcoals.. so they have this wooden plank kind of a thing that looks like a extended tennis racket, they would use it to 'slide' the prepared pizza in dough form with all its ingredients on top onto the fire to 'bake' it..
Cairns by itself is a hotspot for tourists mainly because of its natural beauties. One of which is the famous Great Barrier Reef aka GBR. For the truth of the matter, i wasn't the kind that is keen in seeing corals and such.. therefore it did not occur to me that it would be a fun trip to take a cruise out for snorkling/diving with my colleagues.. whatever the case, i was there.. and i'm really happy that i did!
So here came Saturday.. i was committed to a trip that i initially didn't want to go.. our meet-up time at the lobby was 7.30am and i was still in bed when they called at 7.40am.. (i really did not feel like going..) so i had no choice but to use my superhuman skill to prepare myself in 4 minutes and show up downstairs..
It was a full day trip, started sailing out at 8.30am and docked at 4pm or so. Our yacht could take 150 but there were only 80 of us. there's this declaration we have to make to take the yacht.. something on safety and it was later collected by the crew onboard. Each of us had a unique number onboard so that they can account for each and everyone of us along the way. Once we sailed out, we were briefed on the itenery for the day.. one of the briefs actually advised those who gets seasick to eat the garlic pills available at the bar counter.. it's a form of prevention rather than a cure so they would want us to take it early. I act steady..
At 9.30am, we reached our first reef where they anchored.. There were mainly 3 groups of people: snorkling, introductory diving, and qualified diving. Most of us went for snorkling.. and most of us put on the wetsuit. the use of it is for one to keep warm and afloat at the same time.. again.. i act steady.. i went into the waters in just my shorts+goggles+flippers.. i almost had a cramp to stay afloat!!! but still i managed to see the many underwater beauties... the corals, turtles, fishes... and Wally! it looks like an aquarium fish (like Nemo.. small small kind) but in fact it swims at the size of your 42" Samsung LCD TV!!!!!! Wally was truly the highlight of my cruise trip... anyway, the water was not as cold except for the wind blowing at you when you come up from the waters.. it was a different kind of feeling altogether to expose your nipples to nibbles! it was worth the risk though.. :)
So about 2 hours later snorkling and stuff at the first reef, we headed to the second one which was further away from the dock.. by this time, we were having lunch (not bad) and i started to feel nausea... *regret sia.. nv eat garlic pills earlier on*. being desperate, i popped 2 of it in hope that it will help.. then i proceeded to the deck of the yacht.. they had carpet-like flooring where you can lay down, suntan, enjoy the breeze.. so there we were, talking and drinking... dozing off occassionally due to the 'comfort' we were experiencing.. *-* ZzzzzZZz
In summary, i never regretted i took the cruise.. and i thank my colleagues for taking me along! haha. the only regret is that my partner was not around.. but dun worry! sure got chance one! :D
wah.. i tink i gotta stop liao.. just came back from overseas and still gotta do this.. (tired -_-)! Cairns.. definitely the place to go if you're planning to visit Australia.. NO REGRETS!
Can you spot my Hubby??? =)
