Cairns

Get up 3.15 have shower and get ready to go on our travels again. Got picked up 4.05 was actually early for a change by 5mins and was first pick up only picked up one other person got to airport 4.40 nothing open til 5. Ended up going through to departure lounge so Tiago could get something to eat and both have a coffee, I didn't feel like food at this time. Plane departed at 6.50 and was about 2 and half hours tried not to sleep this time so listen to music and read. Got to cairns before 9 and organised the shuttle bus to hotel and got there just before 10. Hotel not ready til 2 tried to get breakfast at hotel but said since not checked in couldn't have. So decided to have wander into city got breakfast a lovely omelette with ham, mushroom and Brie. Also city different to how I remembered last time I was here but didn't come into city to much. Got back to hotel only 11ish so still too early for room so decided to go play in the pool. Must off gone back to luggage twice first for waterproof camera, then for Tiago's snorkel and doritos. We had fun playing in pool with camera much more fun going underwater with it. So glad I didn't do the diving as not sure i would like it as not too confident under water. Before 2 went to the bottle to get some wine and at least when got back room ready. So sat and drank wine and looked to see where could eat tonight looked at the Brazilian restaurant. We aimed to go to bushfire the Brazilian restaurant as if before 6 was cheaper. But when got there not too sure if would be enough food as only had til7pm. So instead went to restaurant which we gone past, where we had seafood platter and mussels to share was very good. Then had a walk to see where we have to be tomorrow found a lovely outdoor pool. On the way back to hotel we looked up at the sky and it completely like rain but then realised it was all bats. When got back chill and not too late a night as early start tomorrow for diving  cruise. On Friday woke up 5.30ish and then out complimentary breakfast which was buffet plenty of choice. It was then to walk to the reef terminal to check in and only took us 10 minutes to get there going with ocean freedom Adam recommended. Was on boat 7.30 and left just before 8 had pastries, fruit, coffee and tea but already so just had coffee. We also took a sea sickness tablet just in case. Got to first stop wonderwall on upolu reef. Tiago was the first group to go diving I just chilled whilst he was doing as unfortunately missed the glass bottom boat. When he got back which he really enjoyed and his buddy was an English girl Diane. Went to snorkelling together but a little unsure and not really seeing much then came on had water. Then went back out with the guide whilst Tiago did his own snorkelling and o got to see a turtle. I also got to touch a piece of coral and a star fish felt a lot better someone showing us. It was then time for Tiago to do his second dive I just sat on end of boat relaxing. Got on glass bottom boat to go he fed the fish and then said it was cancelled but still did see some fish through the glass and see Tiago coming back from his five. It was then lunchtime was chicken, meat, salmon, prawns, salad, sweet potato salad lots of choice. Trust me to bang my bang my head when getting out on to the front but think most do it. Favourite was the beef and sweet potato salad but Tiago not feeling too good so didn't eat too much and took his other and my sea sickness tablet. It was then to Upolu reef cay second stop which was only ten minutes away so stayed at front were got a little wet. Once there was time to do some more snorkelling and got on glass bottom boat which took us abit further out. This time stayed with Tiago but was a few guides there aswell too direct us. Trust us to drift off twice but at least didn't have to get picked up by the other boat. Left last stop about 3.30ish on way back got fruit, cheese & biscuits and cakes, got back 4.30. When got off all the crew were there for you to thank and would definitely recommend. Once back at hotel had wine had a nice relaxing bath then go for dinner which wasn't til about 8ish. Wasn't really sure what we fancied ended up sharing marina pizza and spaghetti bolognese. When got back think must off feel asleep quite before 10.30. Woke up 5.15 as another early start this time got white water rafting got ready then breakfast which luckily opens at 6.30am. Also realised that there have a chef to cook omelette and eggs but was only just starting when we had to leave will have tomorrow. Supposed to get picked up at 6.30 so no time for coffee but then bus running late didn't arrive til 6.50. Straight to there shop to check in and get our hire shoes as didn't want to wear amours as would be too wet for tomorrow. After that was on a second bus to the bar where we got our coffee journey was about hour and half. But trust me when on 3rd bus to Tully river I managed to spill the coffee luckily mainly got the bag not me. Was 12 on bus and we were spilt into 2 groups of 6 for the raft. Once at tully river was time to get our gear on and couldn't find an helmet to fit so had to get me a smaller one and was the only one with a yellow one. It was then to make our way to our raft and unfortunately not enough red rafts for the extreme groups so our group got a yellow one. Then to get our seats in the raft me and Tiago ended up at the back, the American couple at front and the other couple in the middle. We then made our way way down the Tully river for our rafting experience but first our raft leader went over all the safety. Like how to pull someone if there fall in the river and everything else we needed to know. I liked that our guide was funny but also serious and safe when it was needed. We were rafting for about an hour or so before lunch, the rapids were great before lunch and a lot more extreme than after lunch. During this time unfortuantely the couple in front of me knocked there oar into my teeth when going through a rapid. It was abit off a shock but luckily nothing broken which was a relief but put me off jumping off the cliff as still abit shock up. Before we stopped for lunch got to have our pictures taken and our instructor tipped the raft so we all ended up in the river. Lunch was a BBQ by the side of the river off burger and sausage sandwich where  you watch the fish. After this it was more rafting and overall this trip was good, there were plenty off opportunities to swim in the pools of water. Jump from rocks which I was bit unsure about so just watched and took picture off Tiago doing it. But once when swimming in the water went into a deep bit off water and the person behind nearly landed on me. We also got to go under waterfalls but not once did I feel scared or nervous as my guide knew exactly what he was doing. Unfortunately on the last swim we did the American lost there go pro in the river and had no float on as already cone off earlier. I'd highly recommend this for anyone travelling near this near in the future. Also definitely do the extreme group not the regular rafting as get to go faster and do more fun things. Once finished the girls carried all the oars whilsts the guys had to carry he raft up to the trucks. It was then to stop at the bar we stopped at coming to buy pictures and have a drink before the drive back to Cairns. We got to view our picture before deciding if we wanted them and cheaper to buy as a group otherwise is $100 for a USB stick. Luckily all off our group were interested in getting the pictures so for 3 USB sticks was $120 so only $40 per couple. Was worried might be at the bar a while once people started drinking but luckily not to bad. But then wasn't sure which bus we came on and when asked bus driver wasn't helpful, but not on his. Once back in Cairns time to drop everyone at their hotels stop but first stop at the shop to drop the guides off. Then make our way to our hotel we werent the first drop off probably about the 4th and stop opposite off road. Once back get changed and then go for dinner but not sure what we fancied so had a luck at our few restaurants. Before we decided to go to place where we ate the first night we arrived in Cairns to have surf and turf steak, was good. After dinner we went for walk to the Cairns Esplanade to go for a drink ended up at Salthouse bar and restaurant situated at Marina Point. The Salthouse is a unique dining, bar and entertainment venue offering a panorama view of the ocean, marina and city. Was a great place to relax for a drink where we got a bottle of sparkling wine surrounded by flowing ponds and fire features. The Salthouse offers a space that is glamourous, funky, chilled out, stylish, calming, lively and welcoming all at once. Definitely a nice place to have a drink but only had one bottle of wine then headed back to the hotel as needed to pack for tomorrow. On Sunday 11th january early start again as flight at 9.10am back to dydney but had to get sorted first. So first was breakfast and luckily got to have the omelette today made fresh which was good. It was then back to the room to get sorted and then wait for our bus to collect us to take us to the airport. Luckily bus was on time then wait a little bit to check in and then we sat outside to have a coffee before we went though security. It still feels strange not having to show your passport for domestic just your driving licence is ok. Flight at 9.10am and this time I got the window seat and just read my book most of the flight whilst Tiago play his game. Landed back into Sydney at 13.05 and Tiago had a message from his brother saying could collect us. But wasn't sure if he still but by time we had picked up our bag which took abit typical then go to the car park Diego and Gabrielle were there. As we haven't seen them in a while as their went to Tokyo and Japan skiing just before New Year. So was good to catch and find out about each other's holidays and then we went for food at Outback as we hadn't eaten since breakfast.