I Can't Stop Watching This Dog!

So cute!!!

This dog has rhythm and knows how to chill to acoustic guitar.  *pat pat*

The Dog and the Chicken

Back in Melbourne now and here for V&A's wedding.  Set in Mantons Creek Vineyard, it proved to be a relaxing place to sip wine in the sunshine.  I even got burnt despite it being quite overcast :-/

Hello ladies!  Nice to see you!  More photos can be found on Kahuna's FB.

The vineyard also had some chickens wandering around.  This was especially stimulating for the beautiful Border Collie who spent the entire afternoon tail-gating one particular hen.  Seriously, it wasn't for like 10 minutes.  This kept going for a good 5 hours and continue as we left at dusk. 

It's so nice that the dog could be entertained so easily!  I *heart* dogs.  The chicken was so nonchalant.

Cheers to the newly married couple, V&A! *clink champagne flutes*

Kuranda

I had to drive pass the Skyrail many times on my previous stay in Cairns.  I was curious but didn't have enough time back then to take the ride.  So when I asked Spu what he wanted to do for our second day of adventure, he asked 'What's there to do in the Daintree forest?'  I said, 'It's a rainforest - not much.  It probably looks like any other rainforest in the area.'  So with that, we decided to go to kill two birds and check out the 'Skyrail Rainforest Cableway'.

We booked a tour which started with a ride up via the Skyrail cable car to the town of Kuranda.  We were given free time to explore the town and then a ride down back to Cairns aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railroad.

I will say one thing - This was frickin expensive.  A one way ticket on the Skyrail was $44!  What the hell, it's only 7.5km of cable and if you opt not to get off at the two stops and instead head directly to Kuranda, this ride would take about 30 minutes tops.  It definitely wasn't on the same level of value of when Moo and I each paid €41 (approx AU$51) to spend an entire day at Parc Asterix.  You could see why it wasn't teeming with tourists.   Is the money going towards conservation?  It better be.  Either that or it's paying off the debt incurred by it's construction.  

Spu in the cable car.  Me in the cable car.  Nice lush views.  

First stop - Red Peak.

Spuey enjoying the boardwalk path.  It felt just like the Daintree!

Treehugger.

Next stop - Barron Falls. 

The gorge/falls was not at it's peak today and the waterfall was more like a water trickle.  From the photos I've seen it looks pretty spectacular when in full force though.  Here at this stop was also a 'state of the art' interpretive centre, where the touch screen computers didn't really work and it more or less felt like a bad kiddie museum.  

Making our way to Kuranda, I crossed the Barron River.  So did Spu. 

Next stop - Kuranda.

Walking up the tree covered path to Kuranda - very nice!  Cooling too.  Spu never realised that trees could be so shady.  A dead amphibian.  Only in the tropics. 

The small community of Kuranda is fairly dependent on tourism with their markets selling plenty of souvenirs and knick knacks.  Good for people into that stuff.  Me and Spu?  Not so much.

Here's a store which has found it's niche between the kangaroo fur and hand made soap stalls - wine... derived from mangoes!  

Spu and I tasted everything Golden Drop had to offer.  All the alcohol was chilled so it all went down a  refreshing treat.  The mango-ey smell was a pleasant bonus on the nose.  I liked the cello least but I could have easily bought their entire range.  The main thing stopping me from doing so is that we didn't want to carry it and secondly ...maybe I should cut back on my alcohol??  So I just settled on a single bottle of the medium dry wine.  

Me and the miner. 

Spu and I decided to overload on tropical rainforests and followed Jum Rum Creek - Jungle - River walk nearby.

Creek pit stop. 

The walk brought us all the way back to Kuranda's train station where waited to board the next Kuranda Scenic Train down back to Cairns.  

All aboard the Hogwar...err. Kuranda Express!

Now at Barron Falls from the opposite side. 

The train curves around the mountain. 

I couldn't get a photo like this from the train, but this was the highlight of the ride.  

The train in total took three hours to get back to Cairns.  Not to undermine the significance of the train's history (it was built to shuttle miners up and down to Cairns) but after about an hour, the train ride got pretty damn boring.  Worse for Spuey, he sat on a seat which didn't get the window breeze (the train carriages weren't air-conditioned) and only realised so when we were about 15 minutes from Cairns!  He'd been sitting and sweating the whole time.  

We pulled into Cairns train station and after having a quick rest, we stuck to our promise of returning to Gunbaranba.

Spu had the cheesy ramen.  Yes it sounded a bit weird but that was part of it's appeal!  The flavours weren't conventional but it still worked!  I had one of the cold soup ramen.  Yum yum! 

Just to be extra greedy, we ordered a side of tuna salad and sushi rice.  They were just ok. 

That's it for the touristy stuff in Cairns.  Spu heads home tomorrow and I return to the work grind.  I'll kinda be glad to leave in a few days - it's nice to wake up in the morning without sweating! 

Snorkelling with Spu

When in Cairns, one must go to the Great Barrier Reef.  I had a most fun time swimming with the fishies last time, I really wanted to go again but not as a Nigel this time.  Cue the Spu.  

Spu was a bit worried that he wasn't a strong enough swimmer for snorkelling.  I said, 'I reckon I'm a worse Asian swimmer than you and if I could snorkel last time, you can do it too.'  We contemplated diving but the health restrictions recommended not flying within 24 hours.  Best not to risk it but anyway, it was much more expensive.

We examined a bunch of brochures and settled on the Moore Reef Cruise from Sunlover.  I had thought my previous tour had a big boat but this Sunlover boat was about double the size.  

Our boat.  Ok, it's a catarmaran. 

Spu sitting next to Mr. Green Sea Turtle.  

First pit stop.  Fitzroy Island!  This seemed more to be where locals got off with their BBQ and cricket bats.  

A good 30-40% of passengers got off the boat at Fitzroy Island, leaving Spu and I with a LOT of rowdy Mainlanders.  Of course we were mistaken for them too.  

Once we reached the Sunlover purpose built pontoon, we all jumped off ready for our chosen activities.  Spu and I decided to snorkel first.  

Spu and I channeling our inner ninja.  Stinger season peeps!  I don't need a stinger bite.  

The view from the pontoon.  Water so clear.  Fish so bright and pretty.  

These pics were taken by a disposable waterproof camera and the grainy appearance is genuine, not Instagram filtered.  

Fishies so close to me!!!  Spu and I each tried to touch them but they were too quick.  

We also saw a Green Sea Turtle :D  I couldn't get a photo but I'm so happy to have seen one especially as I was quite disappointed at missing out last time.  I can die happy.  Content with our snorkel adventure, Spu and I decided to hit the buffet lunch and of course missed out on the fresh prawns because they'd been attacked by the Mainlanders.  Grrrrrrr.  

Next actvity - the semi submersible tour.  It's almost a submarine.  

Spu decided that it was too hot for a shirt.  Mainlander demonstrating a Camera Stance. 

Next activity - Glass bottom boat.  It's so dangerously close, it's a wonder they don't hit any of the coral.

My view through the glass bottom. 

Better idea of the view through the glass bottom.  My favourite coral is there too!  The spaghetti looking coral.  I like how it wafts in the water.  

Next activity - petting zoo.  Ok, it's not a zoo, it was a touch tank.

Spu not enjoying the big black sea cucumber.  Me enjoying it too much.  It was slimy and squishy and we were discouraged from squeezing it.  It would spurt water otherwise. 

Another sea cucumber I think.  It looked like a loaf of bread in the water, but when removed became deflated and bit sad :(  Me so happy to have a baby starfish in my hands.  It was alive! 

Next activity - presentation on the Great Barrier Reef.  Held on the pontoons underwater theatre.  This was very pretty and an excellent way of seeing up close the fish you didn't get to meet while snorkelling.  I could sit here for hours just staring at them..... or I could stare at a screensaver.  Nah, real fish are better.

Look at the parrot fish!  It has human buck teeth!  

I was pretty satisfied that Spu and I did EVERYTHING available on the pontoon bar the extra optional activities.  So with our fours hours up on the reef, we boarded the catamaran and headed back to Cairns.

Now for dinner.  I had eyed a ramen bar near my work and even though it's never soupy weather in Cairns, nothing was stopping Spu and I from scarfing up some tonkotsu goodness.  Hearing Japanese spoken within the restaurant is always encouraging and we were seated promptly.  Spu and I had popped in at a good time because shortly afterwards, a queue formed.  Also, when a ramen bar gives you the option of stipulating how 'hard/chewy' you want your noodles to be.....well that's a good thing.

I ordered the Tonkotsu I think whereas Spu, feeling the heat ordered a cold soup ramen.  He was a bit apprehensive but happy with his very tasty and refreshing choice.  We also ordered a serve of the homemade gyoza.

The reviews for this place are generally positive and while it's probably not the best bowl I've had (soup was tasty but some more topping wouldn't have hurt) I was pretty happy overall and Spu (being the less fussy eater) was super happy.  We shall return!  

Spu's here!

Spu arrived last night with an hour delay *groan* but that didn't really matter because I was only staying a 10 minute drive from the airport.  

Anyway today I worked while Spu spent the day exploring Cairns CBD.  He bought a new mobile phone, checked out Rusty's Markets, took a dip in the lagoon and then lounged poolside reading Harry Potter.  Aaah what a life.  

Then we went for dinner and took advantage of the several Japanese run joints in Cairns by eating at Sushi Train.  I'm still annoyed that no Japanese person has taken this franchise to Melbourne.  It's probably not the best but the quality is decent and consistent.  

Some of our dishes.

Fried salmon skin.  Mmmmm omega three goodness.  The Volcano roll.  It looks like an erupting volcano!  The roll itself was not as spectacular as the appearance.  Karaage chicken (yes fried chicken) and takoyaki balls.  Yum! 

Yah I must make the most of having an eating buddy while in Cairns.  

Cairns - again!

I thought I'd guarantee myself a bit of a Summer and headed up to Cairns for work once more.  I really liked the vibe of the town last time and was more than happy to return.  As usual, I've been supplied an apartment (a much better one than last time) and also a car.  

Here's a tour of my abode.  

Open plan lounge and kitchen.  

Off we go upstairs.  Upstairs.  I have a two level apartment.  

Main bedroom and second bedroom.  Both had ensuites.  Apartment - too big for little old me.  

My rental car for the next two weeks.  Never driven an Hyundai before and will probably never buy one, but given that it was brand spanking new, it was a pretty sweet, zippy ride.  

Clearly this apartment is too big for one person.  Ma really wanted to come and visit but unfortunately being retired means that her diary is jammed pack with activities such as watching live Viet concerts.  Given that Spu is still a bum and has never been to the Australian tropics, I have forced him to come and visit me :D  Our adventures will follow!