Monday was goodbye Peanut day after I had to wake him up when he managed slept through his alarm. I did get an appreciative thank you for ensuring that he didn't miss his 3 days on the diving boat even though I didn't feel his behaviour deserved such a good deed from myself. I too went out on the ocean waves with Ocean Spirit Cruises to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Well it wasn't long before the spewky lewky brigade started loosing their breakfasts. The Ko Tao ferry journey from hell meant I know that I have very good sea legs and once again I was fine. The semi submersible was amazing as I spotted four turtles and saw loads of fish including the rabbit fish and loads of coulourful coral. Once again that little trip sent them all throwing up. I snorkelled over a stingray which was amazing if not a bit scary. Then it was a talk about the bird colony at Michaelmas Cay before heading home for another 1.5hours on the rough seas. It was great seeing the Great Barrier Reef but not spending a day with the brown bag brigade.
I was supposed to go to Misson Beach on Tuesday but a night out with Mark at the Woolshed, where I thought I was in an aquarium and saw fish out of the window, meant he had to hike me into my top bunk at Gilligans and I unsurprisingly missed the bus. It was then a text to Mark the following day along the lines of "any room a the inn". He kindly came to collect me, declared me a nightmare, and I moved to his hostel the Travellers Oasis. My extra days in Cairns meant I arranged some WWOOFing for the following week and could stay with Mark before he flies to Japan. I also met up with my bunk mate Ilse from Gilligans and had more nights in the Woolshed with her. Peanut turned up on Wednesday and it was actually quite nice to see him again. Maybe spending 24/7 in his company is too intensive but he was on good form after getting his PADI.
Thursday was get out of your comfort zone once again Rabbitts and scare the living daylights out of yourself: my first trip on a cable car ride www.skyrail.com.au. I don't know what possessed me but it was my idea to go to Karunda and return over the rain forest. It was hellish being suspended so high up. My legs turned to jelly, my feet wet with sweat and I had my jumper over my face as I couldn't bear looking out as it made me feel very unbalanced. Mark found it hilarious and even I was laughing. I didn't conquer my fear as I think I suffer from vertigo but I did get to the end of the 4kms and on the descent I was able to look out.
Thursday night I went to the Woolshed which I keep calling the Cowshed, Watershed and Mark calls the Pullshed which is very apt too! I said my goodbyes to Peanut who was supplying us with flamming sambucas and were were joined by Matt our roomie from Melbourne.
Friday I did diddly squat and decided to stay in when everyone else went to the Woolshed. Rabbitts was finally partied out and it didn't help being woken up by my German roomies skinny dipping in the pool at 2am - boys! My last night in Cairns was of course spent at the Woolshed. My idea of having a quiet night in failed to materialise despite going out late and having a 10 dollar special meal. Ilse turned up and so it was great to see her for the last time. On Sunday I checked out at 10am as expected however thought I would have a rest on the sofa before catching the bus to Mission Beach. I was in full Koala nap mode (Mark's description for conserving energy) when Geoff and Dan the Wimbledon Wonders woke me from my imaginary tree hugging session. Dan gave me a lift to the bus or else I would have been in big trouble. Maurice the banana man was at the other end waiting for me and took me to the tranquility of his organic banana farm which is only 1km from the beach. That night the amazing sounds of bird calls sent me off into a very deep sleep.
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