Now for Something Completely Different - Cairns

 

November 2012

 

Yes We Can - with Nan Nan

When we were planning our year-long trip, one of our pledges was to get our dear 88-year-old Nanna together with her sisters who live in and near Cairns. We left our run a bit late, of course, and had to dash across 2000km of the Top End to ensure we got to the airport in time, but we made it with a whole day to spare.

The scenic railway journey from Cairns to Kuranda was a nice day out for the girls.

Still doing OK for an old girl...Nanna loved the tree ferns and a spot of market shopping at Kuranda

The Butterfly House was a must see for Nikita.

It is a long way from the dusty Savannah Way and outback music festivals...but, every now and then you just have to get touristy.

And then it kinda got worse (or better if you're a child under 10). The Coconuts Resort at Cairns had all the bouncy, splashy, peddaly bells and whistles....a bit like a theme park in a caravan park. So, we shrugged our shoulders and resigned ourselves to our fate....it was their turn.

C'mon big Daddy-O, pedal faster.

 Just Cruisin'

 

 

Dear old Aunty Margaret didn't know what hit her when the Rowdy Roadtrip set up camp in the back of her tropical garden in Cairns for a few days. Thank goodness for medicinal whiskey to calm the nerves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitzroy Island

One of the highlights of our time in Cairns was a boat trip over to Fitzroy Island with our Kakadu and Eclipse mates Sharon, Ant, Amon and Astrid. We packed plenty into one day including sea-trampolining, bush-walking, snorkelling and paddle-skiing and a couple of well-deserved beers/vodkas overlooking the picturesque island bay.



 Phew...that was hard work paddling all the way to Fitzroy Island. Where's my can of Solo?

 

The stinger suits may have a serious purpose...but gee they look funny.

 

The girls sneak off to the top deck for some quiet time.

Strange tree creatures

Ocean trampolining - was "awesome fun". The kids quite enjoyed it too.

The Brock-stars and the Rowdies.

 

Six months in - The Good and The Bad

The Best of the Best:

1. Paul - an amazingly patient, tolerant, resilient and competent bloke who can take an incredible amount in his stride and is the perfect travelling companion.
2. The Kids - hilarious, wide-eyed wanderers who are soaking up their travel experiences with great gusto.
3. Box of Lego - a wonderful ice-breaker for newly-made friends, great for creative building (for hours), role playing and general focus and quiet.
4. Personal DVD players - sanity-saving devices that keep the kids quiet for a while.

The Worst of the Worst:

1. Personal DVD players - noisy, mind-numbing gadgets that make the kids impossible to communicate with.
2. Box of Lego - infuriating little bits of plastic that get lost under carseats, left at campsites and have the potential to add hours to pack up time.
3. The Kids - loud, squabbling maniacs with incessant, unreasonable demands.....probably better left at home.
4. Paul - he really can be a pain in the butt at times....and as for the fishing...don't get me started!!!