This is the song that played every morning before we started out to our next destination

Australia Contiki Tour Ends!!

Today is the day we are making our way back to Cairns.  As we make our way back our bus driver is giving us a guided tour through the Cape Tribulation Rainforest.

Warning signs for people not to go in the water because of deadly jelly fish

Helpful Australian Map of the area

What do you think of the view? I seem to like it

My new Australian and Canadian friends, we picked them up in Cairns

Hiding in the oldest most twisted tree in the rainforest

On our way back to Cairns, we stopped in Port Douglas there were lots of shops to walk around as well as restaurants and cute little cafes.  Walked around and did some window shopping.  We had about 1.5 hours to kill until the bus was headed back to Cairns.

Once we headed back to Cairns everyone went their separate ways.  For dinner I walked down to the nightmarkets. After that, time to go to sleep gotta wake up at 3 am to go to the airport.

Time to Say Good Bye To Australia, I will miss you! Hopefully I will see you in the future.

Cape Tribulation

When we were picked up at the hotel to head up to Cape Tribulation it was a smaller bus.  Our Contiki group was combined with another Contiki group that was just starting. We will be making several stops before we make our way to Cape Tribulation.  First stop we made was the top view of the ocean, where we all did a group shot.

We then stopped in a place for lunch that had a strip mall of shops, it is the town of the Aborigine people.  I walked around the area. In the streets I noticed the Aborigine people very dark skinned, the men have long grayish beards.  I took a walk over to where the park was where I went behind and there happened to be a small skate park area.  I sat on the bleachers and watched two boys riding their bicycles up and down the ramps.

We went to an area where we met an Aborigine tour guide who would take us to a place that is off the normal path for tourists.  The tour guide brought us through the rainforest and showed us some of their oldest customs.  There was a small area where they had tree bark put together and a fire was going.  The smoke that was coming from the area was a symbol of their culture to worship the wildlife, and appreciate peace? 

We continued on the path where we were taken to an area where we could take a dip in the river.  There were rapids coming down and lots of large rocks surrounding the rapids.

The tour guide was making paint using the rainforest tree pushes, rocks, and dirt.  He was painting people's faces.  This is an Aborigine symbol of their culture, known as war paint.

After the tour through the rainforest, we headed to a place that makes homemade ice-cream.  In one cup of ice cream you get four scoops which you can choose different flavors.  The tour guide told us, there are many unique flavors made on a daily basis.  When flavors run out, all new flavors are made on the spot.

There was very much vegetation and wildlife in the vicinity as I walked around. 

I walked down the road a little bit and discovered these amazing trees.  Take a look below at what they were.

Banana Trees

Full Day White Water Rafting

Early start to get to our destination for the white water rafting activity.  Make sure you bring water resistant non slip sandals with you for this activity, otherwise the company makes you rent a pair.  When we got to our destination we were divided into groups of 6.

It just so happened, I didn't know there were any female instructors for this activity.  A woman walked up to me and started making conversation.  I asked her if she had ever white water rafted before, she responded yes.  I assumed she was a tourist like us, lol.  So I asked her if she knew who our instructor was, she looked at me and said, "I am your instructor." I laughed.  I felt so embarrassed.  Anyways we all put our equipment on and collected the paddles.  Once we got into the rafts the instructor went over all the safety instructions.

  

All smiles we didn't fall out of the raft

I got to sit at the front and get soaked through one of the rapids. This is me happy the I survived

Observing the slow people. We were ahead of everyone else

Going through a waterfall. Really we were all just taking a bath, if you know what I mean!!

The group celebrating our success

Well everyone, I can officially say I made it out alive without one scratch or bruise.  Hooray!!!

Daydream Island

Today is a driving day to head up to Daydream Island.  The group will be split up, some will be going to Whitsundays to stay on a boat to sail, others will be staying at a Resort on Daydream Island. 

On the ferry heading to Daydream Island. Check it out!!

Throw your hands up in the air

 

Oh no he's falling overboard. S.O.S.

We have arrived at the exotic Daydream Island Resort  

Photos of the swanky hotel lobby. I'm impressed, how about you?

First Day of the Contiki Tour

Me and my UK gal, Liz under a giant rock.  Holding it up so it doesn't collapse on us, just kidding.

 Me and my Canadian bud, Jessica posing like proes

 My favorite German sidekick Ellen.

 Group shot of all my new friends in front of an amazing view

Echo Park.  Very deep rocks that actually echo when you yell

Pipp, Liz, and I showing off the great mountains and forest.

The Whole Contiki Group's first official picture in Sydney