Week Eight | Noah's Ark 💦

SNAPSHOT

I've always been attracted to water - aside from being an Aquarian, something about being near water gives me a sense of serenity and peace. 

Growing up in New Zealand, I don't remember not living within a birds eye view of either the ocean, river or lakes........in short it makes me bloody happy - look, if you want to throw in some sun I'm gonna be smiling.....from ear to ear.

A Christmas gift from my little sister saw me in a session with a Tarot Card Reader not so long ago, who told me that whenever I am uncertain or feeling out of sorts I should go to water and let it wash over my feet - (although she also told us not to attempt ANY river crossings on this trip) 😱......I figured I wouldn't take any chances and heed both pieces of advice and this week I got the opportunity to let the water do its thing daily and it was absolutely wonderful!!

There is another type of water that I'm not so fond of......and it's of the tropical "5 day" downpour variety.....we didn't let it stop us too much this week but let me tell you that packing up a van in torrential rain ain't fun....and neither is the clean up afterwards! 😂

Only the Stollery's could arrive into Northern Queensland on the cusp of a freak weather pattern during the dry season! Touché NQ, we are not done with you by a long shot and will be back!!

We have started our nomad trek across The Savannah Way and it is surprisingly comforting to be moving away from the hustle and bustle of the East Coast!

WHERE ON EARTH ARE WE?

Mission Beach

The scenery is magnificent and so varying, there is no doubt we are in the tropics and spirits are high! South Mission Beach welcomed us with a storm and she blew a gale but we brave Victorians laughed in its face and went for a walk along the beach to blow away the travelling cobwebs! Compared to some of the more "glitzy" beachside destinations, South Mission was beautiful and a bit more "raw".....actually we think it's just a whole lot more "Stollery" 😜

Ellis Beach/Cairns/Port Douglas 

Coming around the outskirts of Cairns, I was like a little kid in a candy shop! I have been waiting years to visit this little piece of paradise and my excitement had rubbed off on Liv! Finally!!! A real "coastal" road with spectacular views of.....😳.okay look, it was more misty stormy weather and a very angry ocean but I can just imagine what it would be like with blue sky and aquamarine waters!! We had decided to stay away from Cairns itself and base ourselves at Ellis Beach so we were central to everything - Leigh, not being a fan of "all things squashed in and hard to park" wasn't overjoyed at the Caravan Park but I could hear the ocean and smell the ocean and despite the weird monsoonal type rain, it was warm enough to swim!! Deal sealed!

We took a day trip into Port Douglas which was fabulous and did a wee bit of shopping (well Liv did, I just helped spend her money ❤️) and then meandered down to Palm Cove and shouted ourselves a rare meal out - we felt so special and girls loved the treat! Funny how things we just took for granted three months ago, we now relish and enjoy every second of....

Just before we left Ballarat, Leigh's Nana gave us a very generous gift and asked that we use it to go on the Cairns Skyrail to Kuranda! So all booked in we excitedly pulled back the curtains on Sunday morning to.....rain ☔️.....no time to whinge, we made the best of it and had a wonderful day - the views were quite haunting with the mist.  Coffee and hot fresh donuts at Kuranda greatly appreciated, followed by a small river cruise where the girls got to feed the resident turtles and home on the Kuranda Railway train (which told the historical journey of those who built the railway and numerous tunnels by hand) - fair to say there was something for everyone! - Thanks Nana ❤️❤️

Pinnarendi Station Stay

There is always an element of surprise when electing to stay in free camping or farmstays......(as Forest Gump would say it's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get) and Pinnarendi Station Stay and Cafe did not disappoint! Nadine, Ronnie and their gorgeous boys (and puppies!) welcomed us with a smile and some optional extras from their delicious cafe, which were much appreciated😊

Nadine is an incredible cook and after sampling her rissoles, mashed potato with cauliflower and cheese, followed by apple tart and ice cream I thought I would never want to leave! Unfortunately our solar wasn't playing nice and we had to move on but not before the best coffee I have ever had and a takeaway bag of home made blackberry biscuits!!❤️

It's lucky we had to go actually or I would have rolled out of there hah hah

Well worth the visit and with plans for powered sites etc this little gem will become very popular! Thanks for having us guys 😊

https://www.facebook.com/Pinnarendi/

Croydon

There is always a little town, somewhere that would be easy to drive through but for one reason or another you don't ....and then are really happy at how fate dealt its hand!

This little town is full of life and the caravan park chockers so feeling pretty smug handing over my "pre-booked" confirmation 😂 .....for once!

Lake Belmore is only 4 km away and we set of on a bike ride to tour the historic town followed by an afternoon at the pool with girls  - pure heaven 😇

BEST PART vs WORST PART

🐣Liv

Best part:  Getting to talk to one of my best friends Poppy......I miss her 😔 (hi Poppy and if you are reading this Charlie I've tried to call?? 😳)

The Cairns Skyrail was amazing and we had 360 degree views, Kuranda was cute and I think the train ride was good?? I fell asleep 😂

Worst part: Ellis Beach and Port Douglas was wet and rainy!! I wish it were raining now though - it's 35 degrees in the shade at Croydon!!

🐴 Maggie

Best Part: Defijitely the Cairns Skyrail - I love being up high like an eagle - ALSO we got to feed the turtles on the river cruise and they were super cute! Thanks Great Nana!!!

Worst part: 

🏌️Leigh

Best part:  This week for me would be the Skyrail and Kuranda train - spectacular views despite the rain! The other would be Croydon, cool caravan park and interesting historical town!

Worst part: Definitely packing up the van in the rain - it was like the clouds parted and dumped one big loooonnnggg bucket of water on us - only found the funny side once we had dried off !

🌺 Rana

Best part: I have actually really enjoyed travelling this week, scenary was really interesting! This part of the world is all new territory for me and it's exciting - I'm not even sick of sugar cane fields 😂.........

People ask us all the time how long we are away for and how far we are going and THEN exclaim that we will only be seeing white lines and would need longer - of course we do but so does everyone! 

We have achieved so much and haven't finished yet. This won't be the last time we travel Australia.......we have chosen to do this with the time and budget that we have and are loving every minute of it!...........so to all the "nay sayers" 🖕😂

Worst part:   

Some awful news from home about the sudden death of a well respected colleague was devastating ......it gave us much reflection time while travelling and I remember before we left, how excited he was for us taking this brave jump and to follow our travels - a friend who will be dearly missed 😞

SAY IT AGAIN???

Cane Sugar Museum

Rana "the history of the workers was so sad but really interesting - was so glad they didn't sugar coat it! 😂

Spotting Eagles

Maggie: Hey Mum I just saw an eagle sitting on the fence!"

Rana: "awww cool Mags, did he wave hello?"

Dad: "or did he give you the bird??" 😂

Yoga blocks

Dad "hey Liv thanks a million for bring the yoga blocks on this trip, they are soooo handy and compact"

Liv: "Really Dad???"

Dad: "No" 😡

LESSONS LEARNT:

📝 Check weatherzone and if need be, pack up the night before. 😱

📝  $4 ponchos in tropics are an under rated accessory to any wardrobe.

📝   Some amenities blocks are next to useless when juggling a towel, toiletries whilst simultaneously trying to wash - for the love of god please install some hooks and shelving!!!

NEXT DESTINATION:

Heading across the Savannah Way to Normanton and Karumba, down to Burke and Wills Roadhouse then finally on the leg that will take us to Daly Waters, Mataranka and Darwin.....woo hoo!! Darwin will be our halfway mark!

 

The road thus travelled.....for Week 8!

 

This picture makes me look like a liar but I SWEAR it was stormy at South Mission Beach!

 

A quick educational stop at the Sugar Cane Museum was school work for the day but incredibly interesting!!! Not many "young and free" people worked on those farms 😞

Ellis Beach - beautiful spot but .........Can't.....breathe.......and the couple next to us sent the kids to the beach then disappeared into their "sexy time" tent - literally two meters away! Was enough to put me off my Pimms.....not quite but nearly!!!

 

Looking very grown up! Spot the new purchases!!

 

Cairns Skyrail and Kuranda Railway - busy and wet day out - definitely worth it!

 

It's hard to fly like an eagle when you are surrounded by one particular turkey......or two.....

 

And we were worried about Crocs!!! What about the car eating cattle around here 😱

 

Our little oasis in Croydon - most gorgeous sunset and sooo warm!!