Wandering Spud: C A I R N S
Honeymoon Series- 4 of 5
C A I R N S - P O R T D O U G L A S
PORT DOUGLAS
When we arrived at Cairns airport we immediately had to strip. We had just come from the Blue Mountains in Sydney where it was maybe 4 degrees and when we landed in Cairns, it was a tropical 30 degrees. So coats and jeans were a bad travel choice.
We didn't go into Cairns itself but we stayed at a little seaside town called Port Douglas and it felt like something out of Jurassic park, it was so so beautiful. PD was a quiet little town and had a relaxed vibe, the food was great and the people were lovely.
HOTEL- MERIDAN, PORT DOUGLAS [4*]
The hotel that we stayed in was more just a stop to sleep in, we didn't even have the chance to use the pool. It was pretty basic for a 4* hotel, and my pet hate- twin beds pushed together! When we enquired about it we were told, and I quote, 'that's how all double beds are in Australia'. Fair enough if they didn't have a proper double bed but I do not like to be lied to because a.) you think I'm a gullible tourist and b.) I have a background in hospitality, I know every trick in the book so you can't bullshit a bullshitter. It was definitely my least favourite hotel we stayed in but it was also the hotel we were physically in the least, so overall it wasn't a big deal.
We only had 2 full days at Port Douglas. The first morning we spent at the amazing Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and it was a blast. They even choose Mark to go and dance. We threw boomerangs and spears and tried the didgeridoo. It is well worth a visit.
CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO
The rest of that day we spent at Cairns Tropical Zoo and we had such a great afternoon, hugging Koalas and feeding Kangeroos but unfortunately the Zoo closed in 2016. At least we brought home Walter the Wombat as a souvenir.
The highlight of our PD stay was the Wavedancer Low Isle Reef Cruise on a 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran. The day included guided snorkeling with a marine biologist, a guided beach walk with same marine biologist and glass bottom boat coral viewing. We also accidentally ended up swimming with sharks (well we were swimming IN A FRICKING BAIT BALL!!!).
The whole day was filled with beautiful views, the Low Isles is STUNNING and Mark even got to see a turtle. It is one of my favourite memories.
Next (& last post) in the Honeymoon Series...
BALI
