Mission Australia 2013 - Day 05
Perth – Cairns
Cairns – Kuranda
Rainforest
The overnight
flight was the least comfortable flight for us on the entire trip, simply
because Ayana could not come to terms with the tight space on the low cost
carrier. Fortunately, I & Neha could keep our temper in control and it was
only for 2 hours that we could assuage our baby’s troubles into sleep. The
arrival, though, was on time and our aircraft pulled into CNS Airport at 0410
hours sharp. Adjusting to the 2 hour time zone difference was not so easy and
as I thought about relaxing a bit while Neha took bath at the excellent shower
room at the Terminal, the sun shone very quickly and very brightly. It suddenly
seemed that we were late but relaxed myself when I looked at the watch. I
stretched my back a little more before Neha could give me a go ahead after
bathing Ayana. I always felt glad when Ayana felt comfortable playing in the
open Airport spaces. Reluctantly, so I got up and had a wonderful experience
shaving & bathing at the Airport, for the first time in my life (In the US,
after red-eye coast-to-coast flights, I had always just changed clothes – never
really shaved or bathed).
Relaxing while my Family freshens up
Ayana playing in the Airport open space while I yawn
Finally, set to
go, a van was waiting for its turn & as it turned out to be – was being
driven by an Indian. It was a very quick ride & checking in at Ibis was
very smooth. It took me some energy to explain why we would have our today’s
breakfast complimentary rather than the last day since we would leave early
that morning. With the “breaky” done, we got the room and after freshening up;
we waited for the pickup for Kuranda Rainforest. A Canadian couple thanked me
profusely when I advised them that the Train was off today due to maintenance
so would have to use the Coach whereas the return via Skyrail would be a good
experience.
All of us slept
through our ascent of Kuranda and frankly, we found it to be a waste of time
& money when we reached the Kuranda Village. What a shame in front of our
local Indian or Himalayan villages – Alas! Anyway, we drudged somehow through
the entire village with Ayana on her Stroller and kept looking at the watch so
that we could go to the Skyrail sooner. We thought it would be better to go
back to the bed early today and rest well for the active next day at the Reef.
Ayana playing at Kuranda Centre
Skyrail from Kuranda to Cairns
