Mum and I raised our chilled glasses of Sauvignon Blanc to Joi’s bottle of Coca-Cola. A toast, to pushing the limits. This was undoubtedly the mantra for our weekend getaway in Cairns. I haven’t quite figured out what is in the Ozzie air that forces visitors to live beyond their usual boundaries and fall in love with life all over again. But before I admit to my reoccurring addiction to adrenaline or share tales of Mum braving the ocean, let me begin with our travel nightmares.
Mum & Joi’s stay differed from the itinerary that I shared in The Countdown. Since my two favorite ladies were scheduled to fly into Sydney, we had planned to meet up in Cairns in what should have been two days later. I’ll get to that. Mum & Joi would then accompany me to the Gold Coast for two nights before returning to Sydney in time for their flight back to the States. It seemed all too simple; the airlines were destined to screw something up. Like Delta not allowing any standby passengers to board despite 51 available seats, delaying their arrival by one day and temporarily misplacing Mum’s bag; JetStar using international terminals for Domestic flights to Cairns, requiring a passport and rerouting all of my travel plans since I didn’t have mine on hand; and JetStar losing Mum’s bag, then taking an entire day to courier the bag.
I could imagine how your head is spinning from those trifling details, so I won’t keep you from the photos any longer. Images appear in order of our travels. You know the drill, click to enlarge. Enjoy!
[9,000 ft. Skydive, 1-minute that changed my life.]
Already searching for my next adrenaline rush!
[A stint at Cairns Central, a dash of poolside escapades]
and a stroll through the Esplanade Markets.
[Scenic drive up the coast to Port Douglas, conversing about]
ambition and life changes. Aren't we cute?
[Off to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef at the Quicksilver Marine Center,]
90-minute boat ride to the middle of the Coral Sea. Stylin' in Lycra =).
*Mum, I'm so proud of you for snorkeling, that first peek was a doozy!
[No trip to Oz is complete without seeing Koalas and Roos,]
or precious time with the Adlers. One big, happy family!
[And here's the lovely Jadie, my Ozzie lil' sister, hugging 'Fluffy'.]
Mum bought her a Build-a-Bear, Joi kissed the heart before it was stuffed.
Cheers, let's drink.
