A Solo Travellers Mind

The trip to Cairns was short (4 hours) but felt incredibly long. On the meal break, I shared some food with a few people on the bus, talking about our plans and what we want to do. Also spotting a family of cats/kittens who were living in the drain under the road, a cute but sad sight to see. 

Arriving into Cairns, it was dark, wet, and late, so shower and bed for me. 

The following day the forecast was not looking too bright, with the next 5 days looking rainy, however with lots to see and not that much time as I had plans to leave the next week it was full steam ahead. 

First up, I headed to the Kuranda heritage markets, following Google maps I took the bus, and then went to get the sky rail up to Kuranda, before almost having a heart attack when I saw it was $96 for a return ticket, money I wasn’t willing to splash. I opted for a Didi (aussie uber) up to the markets, before realising that I would be unable to get one back down as it was out of reach and thus I would be stuck… luckily there was one bus that leaves the markets daily and I could hop on that! The weather held out for the first few hours as I walked around the most hippy place I’d ever been in my life, including a fairy garden. They are super cute markets, with a lot of character. My plan was to then head along the river walk to Barron Falls. However, the heavens opened, so instead, I drank a chai latte while watching the rain falling in the rainforest. The chai latte was without doubt the worst I’ve ever drank, but we can’t all be winners every day. The evening was spent with Caro, who was also in Cairns for the next couple of days, checking out the local bars before we called it at 10pm and headed for our beds. 

The next day was a slow start, lacking a lot of motivation, even though the weather was looking brighter (temporarily). Opting to spend the morning completing the task of my washing before heading out to the local markets. The day was incredibly unmotivated, I must say. However, with a busy few days ahead, I allowed myself the day of not doing all that much. The evening was spent with friends, playing cards, beer pong (or juice pong, hehe), and dancing with new friends. I called it by 12, as I was up early doors for a 2 day trip through the Atherton Tablelands and the Daintree Rainforest! 

Our first day included some highlights such as Babinda Falls and Josephine Falls, where I nearly drowned and lost my snorkelling shoes as I was dragged under by the current. The second time in a year that I’ve nearly died in a waterfall related incident (see Cao Bang for the first). A trip to Marina Falls, which was absolutely freezing, and a lake, where turtles were spotted and i failed to do a back flip of the promenade. A Croc lives in the lake, but just one Croc as it was the old pet of a farmer who released it years ago, lol.

The evening included Platypus spotting, getting to see multiple of the little guys swimming around, before a night kayak seeing Possums,  a red water lizard, Karen Todds, a bat, and a blue King Fisher. An Early night was had by myself as another action packed day was ahead of us. 

The morning started with seeing some Wallabies, and me feeding them out of my mouth. Speaking to a bird who only knew how to say hello and spotting a lot of Crocs along a river. Learning that baby Crocs only has a 1/80 chance of survival. We saw some green ants, which apparently taste like lime. And after eating one, I can confirm this is intact true… A casaray was spotted as we drove through the daintree rainforest, a rare sight to see. Before a final jungle walk to finish my days in far north Queensland. 

The following day involved a big walk through the city and around the Botanical Gardens before finishing with a swim in the lagoon. Me and Caro played dildo in the bar before meeting 2 aussie boys and having our evening entertainment present to us in the form of Slime wrestling, which me and Caro lost, bad dancing, and finishing our night in their crack den house, where the door is always left wide open and yet they are never robbed… madness.

An admin day in the library was needed as i had a million forms to complete for my relocation to Newcastle. Joining a new agency as well and trying to organise a position at the public hospital there. I don’t remember doing all of this when I originally came to Australia, but I most certainly do not want to be doing it again, lol. 

My final day in Cairns was a snorkel and dive trip to the great barrier reef, where I finally beat my fear of scuba diving! It’s most certainly an unhinged fear of mine, but no longer, and a dove around 10-12m for 2 dives and got to swim with sharks! On return to the hostel I was shown just how unhinged some travellers are as I witnessed a man mix a protein shake in a jug with his bare hands before downing it and going out to the bar… madness. 

With the final stint of my travels over, it was time to make the total 42-hour journey to Newcastle. First, a 10 hour bus to Airlie Beach where I would spend 36 hours and break down my journey. Within the first 3 hours of being in Airlie, I had cracked my head open after being hit by a roof fan, cried, and then cried some more. It was fair to say I was tired. I did, however, get to do a book swap while I was there and climbed a dried out waterfall (with concussion). Next up was a 22-hour ride to Byron Bay. Concussion followed me to Byron, so my first night involved a lot of sleep. I made pals with the two girls in my room, and we procedued to have a very lazy day, followed by a trip to the piano bar. And finally, it was a 10 hour ride to Taree where i would be crashing with Greengrocer boy for a few before heading to Newcastle to start work!