View of the Tokyo from Shinjuku

This view is from the observatory floor in the Government Building in the Shinjuku area of the city. On a clear day you can see Mt Fuji from here. The railway/metro station at the base of the building is one of the busiest in the world, having 3.5 million people pass through each day.

First buy a ticket...

We took the train/metro from the airport to our hotel. A guy on the train noticed me scanning the map trying to work out where we were on the journey.. He took out his phone and checked on-line and announced that it would take 44mins to reach our destination. Welcome to Japan's train system and helpful locals.

Next stop... Tokyo

We leave Cairns and fly to Tokyo tomorrow. We are both excited about this last stop of our trip.

A big Thank You to Jacqueline and Michael for their hospitality (particularly Michael's cooking) - we have loved every minute of our stay here. So many lovely days out.. to the Tablelands, The Rainforest, White Water Rafting and today the visit to the Barrier Reef.

Leaving Cairns for the Barrier Reef

The weather was not so good as we left but it brightened up as we got to the reef.
The journey home was a white knuckly ride as they raised the sail on what was alreay a sea with a strong swell. Happily neither BM nor I felt unwell, unlike many others on the boat.....Here's to travelcalm medication.

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

We were so lucky to have made the trip to the Barrier Reef today, it was our last chance and the weather wasn't looking too clever.
We checked in at 07.30 at the Marina in Cairns and headed out to the reef. Out boat was a large Catamaran with a very helpful crew who were great fun - there were about 60 passengers on board for the day trip.
We got to swim and snorkel off a beach and the boat. The corals and fish were beautiful.
Another great day, doing something new on this holiday.

Michaelmas Cay

Our boat anchored off this beach for the day. We had the option of snorkeling off the beach or boat. There was a trip on a glass bottomed boat with explanation of the formation of the reef.

Preparing to snorkel

So well you may laugh, I did too.

We were strongly advised to hire these "stinger suits". Their job is to protect you from stings and bites from unpleasant sea creatures. They also protect from sunburn which is so important here.
BM and I had quite a few laughs as we tried to get into the suits, then add the snorkel, mask and fins. The staff on this cruise were so very helpful we would recommend Passions of Paradise.

Fish feeding

I hired a camera in a waterproof case and took these photos with limited success. The pictures do not do justice to the shapes and colour of the coral and the fish feeding off it. It was a beautiful peaceful and relaxing experience. Something I would love to try again.

Colourful Coral

At home on the Reef

I snorkelled off the boat after lunch and the views/photos were much better than the morning swim when we were off a beautiful but sandy beach.

Jelly fish

more coral

Purple Coral

Returning to Cairns

As we docked after a great trip to the Barrier Reef we spotted Jacqueline and Michael who had come down to meet the boat.

Land ahoy!

Here we come!

It looks like my eyes are shut tight, 'tis no wonder I fell out!

Doesn't our guide look scared?

Foaming Fury

What a splash!

Foaming Fury

"hold on"

A wombat

Guilty

This crocodile is doing "life" in Cairns Zoo, because it had attacked and killed a policeman's dog. The policeman kindly allowed it to be reprieved on condition that the zoo took it in.

A kookaburra

A kookaburra

An Ibis on her nest

Red Panda

We visited Cairns Zoo today.

A national icon..

No, not me, the KANGOROO!

A Cassowary

It's said that you learn something everyday. There are lots of signs at the side of the roads in this area saying "beware Cassowary crossing"! We wondered what it was and here it is, a flightless bird native to this part of Australia.

I have a comb made of horn

oh what big feet!

Cairns

This was the view from a lookout as we climbed up to Atherton.

Wedding Chapel in Yungaburra

This former Catholic church is now a wedding chapel. The area is so scenic and beautiful you can understand why people would come here to be married.

Curtain Fig Tree

There are many of these fig trees in the forest but this was the most spectacular by far. The fig tree has completely taken over the host tree. This is where we saw the possum.

Horse Pooh for Sale!

Sounds so much better than the alternative.

Trinity Beach

This beach is just a few minutes from Jacqueline and Michael's home.

Foaming Fury

Yesterday we had the ride of a lifetime! Because the weather forecast was poor we postponed our trip to the Barrier Reef and instead Michael thought it a good idea to try White Water Rafting. What an experience, it was wonderful. We won't have photos 'til we pick up the "professional's" tomorrow.
We got togged up in lifejacket and helmet and after a briefing on the safety rules off we went. There were 7 of us and our guide. The Barron River is a grade 3, 1 being easy and 5 being very serious. We thought that the rapids were looking very serious indeed. At one point early on Betty May nearly took a tumble and that seemed quite funny as the guide dived over and hauled her upright.
However,at the base of the next rapid, which had a 2.5metre drop, over and out I went. My nose made contact with the bottom of the raft, that would be the underside of the bottom! When I popped up again all I could think of was what the guide said at the safety briefing and that was to "lie on your back looking at your feet" because that kept your feet and you from being trapped in rocks. I was never so happy to see my size 6.5s. The guide threw a rope and then hauled me in by my lapels. Not a pretty sight, the fact that by then I had a fit of the giggles at my predicatment didn't make things easier.
When we reached the flat calm part of the river, which is where we swam the other day we all jumped off the craft for a swim.
If we don't have to censor the photos we will post them as soon as we receive them.
Thanks to Michael for a great idea.

Frog

Forest Flower

Dressed for the weather!

Barron River Gorge

Barron Falls, Kuranda, Queensland.

We drove up to Kuranda to visit the rainforest, the Waterfall on the Barron River and the town of Kuranda. The falls are spectacular and there is a walkway through part of the rainforest with lookout points from which to take photos. There are options of an old fashioned train or cable car rides to reach the town. We were happy to have the car and do the journey at our own pace.

Michael Lorraine Betty May and Jacqueline

Dinner at Palm Cove.

After an exhausting day white water rafting on the Barron River we went for dinner in a lovely Italian restaurant in Palm Cove a little north of Cairns.

Croc hunting on Daintree River

We took a boat cruise and luckily saw a crocidile in the undergrowth on the riverbank

Cooling off in Lake Placid north of Cairns

Jacqueline took Betty May and I to a local lake for a swim. It's not advised to swim in the open sea just now because of poisionous jellyfish. So we enjoyed a swim in the lake. It was only after we got out that talk turned to CROCS!!

Our little cruiser

We hired a car and spent three days touring, north to Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Then we headed west to Youngaburra, the Atherton Tablelands and Kuranda. We checked out Cairns town centre and this afternoon the place is to White Water Raft on the Barron River.

Cairns Seafront

Cairns is a booming tourist town/city. It started as a cane town, from where the local produce primarily sugar cane was exported. Now it has a bustling resort feel to it with lots of tour operators offering day trips out to the reef, tours to the rainforest or uplands. The town centre known as CBD (central business district) is more flip-flops and shorts than briefcases.

Cairns, Queensland. The Sunshine State.

I took this photo of Cairns as we approached the airport on the flight from Brisbane, not knowing that it was the suburbs of Trinity Beach and Park where Jacqueline and Michael live. It is such a scenic and beautiful part of the State of Qeensland. Known as the Sunshine State, which no doubt it is, we have experienced very heavy rainstorms while here. Well, we would, given that we are visiting a rainforest during the wet season. Good thing that Betty May bought those ponchos!

Brisbane's Best Tour Guides, Jim and Yvonne Kirk

I am sure that the last time I saw Jim and Yvonne, which was in Prague at Emma and Alan's wedding and they said "be sure and visit us whenever you come to Australia", perhaps they didn't think that I would.... I am so pleased that I did! Thank you both for all that you did to make the visit a memorable one. I shall return!

Downtown Brisbane

Brisbane is a vibrant city. However, hidden amongst the modern buildings of the Central Business District are some thoughtfully restored old gems.