Cairns
Port Douglas
Probably my favorite time during the whole trip. Our villa was something out of a movie, a place where a couple would go on their honeymoon; so relaxing. So conveniently close to the beach, shops and various restaurants/bars for us to try. Besides many trips to the pool and finding perfect souvenirs for all my loved ones, we experienced some once in a life time opportunities. Firstly, we went to a wildlife exhibit and ate breakfast with koalas!!! Did you know they sleep 17 hours a day to digest the leaves they've eaten? They are just as cute and cuddly (the tamed ones) as they look.. Another life long dream checked off my bucket list ! We also got to get on a boat and view crocodiles up close. These animals put Doug and I in amazement while my mum on the other hand was a bit freaked out by how enormous and dinosaur looking these creatures are. Also at the exhibit they had an open zoo where kangaroos and wallabies can just run around freely! This kind of took us all by surprise that we could just walk up, pet and feed these animals (much like goats and llamas at home). Behind protection, we also visited the emu's and reptiles like snakes and lizards.
After this one of a kind day, my mother and I went for a midnight walk to just enjoy each others company and the stars. Along our walk near our room in the villa... I caught something slowly moving across the sidewalk in front of us... Mum thought it was just a fallen branch but I sworn I saw it moving. We ran back to the room, grabbed a light and sure enough.. it was a CARPET PHYTON. This was not a small little snake... this thing was at least 2-3 meters (6-10 feet) long!! Thank god they're not poisonous or aggressive but we both pretty much shit our pants as we were only about 6 feet away from this giant and couldn't even locate where his head was as half his body was in the bushes. And yes, this was the first wild snake I seen in Australia. Which then had us watching wherever we stepped the rest of the trip! Haha. Anyways, our next day included a wonderful cruise boat taking us out to the BEAUTIFUL Great Barrier Coral Reef. Pictures cannot do this experience justice.. to be the one swimming and witnessing the worlds astonishing undersea wildlife was a breathtaking experience. I could not be out there long enough. Basically swam as far from the boat I could to see what most people didn't.. also wanting to conquer my fear of sharks and not letting that fear control how far I went out. Also proud of my mama for getting out into the deep beautiful ocean as I know that's a challenge for her. Our cruise line also gave us the opportunity to ride in a submarine which was another incredible thing to experience.. can't say that I didn't feel a little freaked out and claustrophobic but I just let the views take my mind off of it, couldn't let that opportunity pass me up!
We then spent our last day walking along the 4-mile beach and of course, that wasn't enough walking for my mama. So we continued to walk all the way up a cliff to the Flagstaff lighthouse which gave a view worth every step. Then we went back to shopping and swimming. Just for my mama (and because she said she'd buy me a drink) I sang a little karaoke for her at one of the bars! Luckily I already had a few and we had fun with it. We also ate our best meal here (seafood!!) to end such a great time in Carins! Was so blessed to experience all I had so far but now it was time to show them my city and uni!!
