Kurunda Visit on the way to Port Douglas

Friday 27th May 2011

Up bright and early, breakfast in Coffee Club, book out of Hotel, then walk about a mile with suitcases and small backpacks to collect hire car.

In the car bloody automatic some adjustment, nothing like watching the yanks trying to drive using gear shift stick LOL. I didn't know what to do with my left foot kept slamming it on the brake thinking it was the clutch.

Onwards and upwards to Kurunda, a village in the rainforest there are 3 ways to get there, Skyrail (long cable car ride) scenic rail journey or by car up twisty windy roads, upwards into the mountains about 20/25 mins drive.
With plenty of walks and attractions we chose to walk to the Barron Gorge, Which was sign posted at 2.5k big mistake, we walked what seemed like ages in the heat, took one look at a fork in the road and decided to turn back.
We walked back to the village via the Jungle walk which took us along by the river and up passed the train station, this walk was 1.5k
The village is offers a number of things to see, market, bird world, butterfly sanctuary & Koala Gardens plus the Kuranda Scenic Rail, (this was closed for a week for repairs.)
Having walk around the village we then decided to drive to the Barron Falls, This turned out to be 4.5k from the car park.
It was well worth the effort, River was low for time of year, it was still an impressive site.

         


   

Cairns Queensland

Well We have made it to Australian soil 4 months late but here and very fit.
Taxi to our hotel Pacific International for 8 days a well earned rest and comfort before we scrape the barrel with all the other backpackers, Hostels, B&Bs and the park bench as noticed on a couple of our evening walks, Backpackers asleep in the park area...........................................????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Hotel 8th floor

Very welcoming nice friendly Staff
Rooms very large 6ft bed good night sleep.
At $38  breakfast is expensive that's with $20 off.
Better quality breakfast for half the price in the centre, we like the coffee club for breakfast.
It pays to look around the choices are great.


First day senses being attacked all new, sounds, sights & smells, soooooo much to take in so we walked to take it in.
walk & explored Cairns it seem to go on for miles.
needed to go back to the hotel for a siesta. Shower then back out to explore bars, restaurants & evening sites, Of all the places to choose we opted for the food hall, Chinese med plates each choice of approx 20 dishes, you choose from different vendors, fish including shell fish, curry bar, roast food bar included fish & chips, within the area is a night market, within this area is whole row set aside for massaging whole body part body shoulders arms legs & feet.

Lumps of rock represent a herd going out to see

Cairns If you were here you'll notice the volume of cars on the road through the city is light, you can cross the roads in between the cars that are about 200m apart. 
People pass you and say Hi, & g' day. Shop keepers are smiling and will talk you, the Coffee club Manager always happy and welcoming, Vibe Bar owner greeted us and ask what have we been up to through the day.
Note the Vibe Bar had the best free"WiFi connection
and really good burgers Bogof .
Rattle & Hum Bar positively HUMS with ENERGY. with big T'v  screens showing Local & national sports, 
Good place for a pizza and a jug of beer, Pizza $18, Jug of Beer $13. On top of this you get bombarded every 5th shop front is selling tours......................................................................


What to do for free 

A walk along the promenade from out hotel were it starts to the end is 2.5k.
First thing you see is a large park that has a stage built on it.
 On Friday we watched a twice weekly Zumba session laid on for free, there was approx 200 of mostly woman taking part.
Other free activities laid on throughout the week include, Ti chi, keep fit boxing, volley ball and aquarobics in the lagoon.
The whole walk / jog / run is divided up into lots of areas for keep fit, exercise  stations with equipment, water stations to drink or refill your bottles.
Along from the lagoon you will find areas for children of all ages, park area and water play area all under cover and further long a dedicated area for the skateboarders, including a tree that we named the 'shoe' tree, that had shoes hanging                                                               

in it.
Throughout the length of the promenade you will come across dedicated DIY BBQ's where you can have your lunch or evening meal these are provided free of charge, all they ask is that you clean up after use. These are very popular areas with the everyone, you have to be quick to get one, as they seem to get busy really quickly.

The Botanical Gardens are about 3/4k walk from the end of the promenade, all sign posted and is well recommended as it has some lovely huge plants and flowers native to Australia. There is also a nature walk through mangrove areas and lakes, with some very huge specimen bamboo.

 On the whole Cairns is a very cool place to visit, we felt like 'kids' in a sweet shop, so much to see and do...But never sure what to do first, you most definitely will not get bored in this place, whether here to catch the sun, a cold beer, shop or just chill and take in the atmosphere. Cairns is where its at, the locals are friendly and you are made to feel very welcome.


Will be on our Winter sun list....


Next stop...Sleepy Port Douglas and Great Barrier Reef!!!!!!

26 hours and still standing

Question.
To take the shuttle bus? wait 40 minutes or take the taxi? no wait.

Good trip up from bath on the National express coach, total cost £41.90.
This is more economical than using the car, specially for someone to drive us to Heathrow and then they drive back.
Coach straight to Heathrow bus station servicing Terminals 1 2 3
This great value for money, allow extra time just in case the M4 Blocks up, we arrived 4 hours before our flight.
Overall I would do this again, It beats the cost of fuel, another person to drive you or "Airport Car Park CHARGES" You can help "Save The Earth"

The Airbus A380 travelling economy. I like may flight, seats were good and comfortable, entrainment was excellent. HIGHLIGHT is the link to the tail web cam, viewing takoff & landings "Breathtaking"

Landing in Singapore Airport (Luke R Second Home Ha Ha) 4 hour wait turn into 5.5 hour, plane delayed due to a sick person being removed from plane plus his cases needed to be found and removed from the hold.
Flight down to cairns on a A321 by Jetstar "Basic flight like flying in a cigar tube with seats, the crew were outstanding, they look after us well. Tip with Jetstar A321 plane sit in the last / first 5 rows, you get look after well.
We dropped down into Darwin for are stop, Jetstar cut the 2 hour waiting time down to 30minutes.
Arrived in Cairns on time "Otta Sight"
26 hours travelling time "bloody Knacker" Need to get to the hotel fast (Taxi it was) shower & freshen up, then BEER BEER BEER,

Cairns Airport Arrivals.
They know how to look after visitors, Greeter on hand in the arrivals section nice gentleman approach me and ask did we need any help & where we on holiday, where are we heading. he gave the price of the shuttle bus & Taxi gave us a local leaflet.
I felt really want help visitors, want them to be made welcome whatever their needs.
"We in the UK can learn form this."

Next Cairns Wow.                                              

About Bloody Time

Well I have finally made it on my way to Australia 17th.                 







Principal Diagnosis : renal cell carcinoma, ( Kidney Cancer right kidney)



How Do I Feel? What support do you need?
 common questions Over the last 5 months.


The funny thing throughout this period I have not felt or been sick at all, I have not treated this cancer as cancer but a issue that was removed, End Of Story..............................................................


When I had the news from the CT scan on the 7th of January 2011 and was informed that a surgical removal is the only course of action, I was talked through this operation, and the details, then asked If I had any questions?


Yes I said, I am available for the operation in January 2012 when I will back from my travels.


"No Mark you need the operation sooner rather than later, the kidney needs to come out"
Questions
Can I get away in May?  "Yes you can"
Will I need Radio therapy / chemo therapy? "No it will be surgical removal"
Will I need any drugs/medication? "No"


I had my operation the on 4th Feb,  4.5 hours under 2 surgeons, nice anaesthetist, who said you need to know what you may wake up to.
3 in lines into your arm, 1 possible in line in your neck, could have a feed tube though your nose to your tummy, Plus you will have a drain in & a catheter plus an epidural for pain relieve.


My operation went very well, I didn't need a line in my neck or a feed tube through my nose.


Apart from the scar from my left side following the outline of  the rib cage down my right side, the worse part of this for was I didn't know how many movement we do that affects your tummy muscles / core muscles.
Simple things laughing, giggling sneezing and getting out of low seats very painful.


I have now had a follow up CT scan and blood test, with the results showing clear for the ct scan and blood tests are all normal.


I must say my consultant has outstanding needle work, I have a very tidy scar pity its not on the bikini line...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                                                                      I do hope this my 2nd blog stays put this time?
                                                                                      Now off on my travels