Cairns Esplanade
Mum and I are escaping the confines and drudgery of day to day domesticity and daily routines and are jetting off on a little adventure. That’s right – in the wee hours of Wednesday morning we’re jetting off to Cairns in Far North Queensland to visit my daughter who is now living and working there.
I haven’t seen my daughter since June when she and I went to Melbourne to see the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child production as our birthday gift to each other. You can see a bit about that in my Taking Stock – June 2019 post.
I’ve decided to go up for a visit in early September before it starts to get too hot up there. Anyone who knows me knows that heat, humidity and me do not mix well. Mum is the same and in fact, so is my daughter! It will be interesting to see how she copes with the coming Cairns summer! At the moment though, Cairns is having maximums of 28°C and minimums of around 16°C which I should be able to manage AOK, hopefully!
The famous Kuranda Scenic Railway
We have a day trip to Kuranda booked and I can’t wait! We’ll be taken by bus from our hotel to the Kuranda Rail Station and then enjoy the 2 hour journey to Kuranda traversing dense rainforest, winding past rugged mountains, tumbling waterfalls and the stunning Barron Gorge. When in Kuranda we can enjoy its vibrant arts community and the local markets that are open daily selling a range of jewellery, leather goods and Aboriginal art. There are also bookshops, galleries and boutiques lining the village streets and a variety of cafes to choose from for lunch. We’ll be heading back via a thrilling ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, including two stops at viewing stations along the way, where you can enjoy a firsthand view of the rainforest, following purpose-built boardwalks. Then we’ll be bussed back to our hotel.
Cairns Birdwing Butterfly
I’m hoping we’ll see some of the beautiful butterflies renown to Far North Queensland, including the gorgeous Cairns Birdwing Butterfly pictured above and the stunning Ulysses butterfly.
We’ll also be doing a little sightseeing to places such as Port Douglas and Palm Cove and of course I can’t wait to check out my daughters apartment where she is living. It’s a short trip (4 nights) but I think we’ll manage to see quite a bit in that time.
As you can see, I’ll be a little preoccupied so won’t be blogging to the regular schedule this week! In fact, no posts after this one will be published until next week and no blog posts will be read and commented on by me after today (though I will of course respond to any comments not yet responded to when I return).
I will be switching off and having a bit of a digital detox and boy do I need it! I will of course still be posting to Instagram. I say ‘of course’ because I will be in such a beautiful part of the world and I will want to share it, and being the visual person that I am, Instagram is my favourite social media platform. So keep watch on my Instagram (main feed and my stories) and what I post there will also feed through to my Facebook and Twitter.
Have a wonderful week!
Ciao for now
Linking up with Denyse Whelan Blogs for #LifeThisWeek
18 Comments
Enjoy your digital detox and time with your mum and daughter! It’s such a lovely part of the world, we did a similar trip when we first came to live in Australia with the outlaws. It’s been way to long between visits. Bon voyage!
Thanks Sammie – I’m really looking forward to it. We did a road trip up north back in 1991 (before kids). I think we got as far north as Daintree and we did visit Cairns .. but I can’t remember much about Cairns now so a revisit is long overdue! 😊
Have a wonderful time with your Mum and daughter, Min! The scenery looks beautiful and to admire it by train is a great way to travel. I look forward to hearing about your trip and seeing some photos when you return. #lifethisweek
It’s a stunning part of our country up there Natalie. I’ve been up there before but not for nearly 30 years! I haven’t been to Kuranda before though so that will be fabulous I’m sure! 🙂 xo
Enjoy your time, Min. I’m looking forward to hearing (and seeing) all about it via your pics.
Thanks Jo! There’ll be no avoiding Insta pics while I’m up there. I get a little excited by beautiful places! lol
I lived in Atherton for a couple of years in the early 1990s and saw a bit of Cairns, Kuranda, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree but don’t think I’ve ever been to Port Douglas. Unless it wasn’t very big then and we drove past and I didn’t realise?!
I hope you have a lovely time. I’m sure you will!
Thank you Deb! I never knew you lived in Atherton. I learnt something new about you today! I’ve been to Cairns, Daintree and Port Douglas before. I haven’t been to Cape Tribulation or Kuranda before! I’d love to go further north but alas – not enough time this trip!
Hi Min – you’re going to have a fabulous time with your mum and daughter. I’m very jealous of your holiday and I think you’re going to love every minute of it. Taking the blogging pressure off and just enjoying your time away from the computer is also special – something we all need to do occasionally. The blogging world will still be here when you get back xx
Thanks Leanne! I’m really looking forward to the little getaway. It’s only 4 nights but that’s better than nothing. I will enjoy a break from the blog but won’t be able to stop myself sharing a few pics on Instagram. I’m going to be seeing some beautiful nature up there! xo
Enjoy your digital detox and getaway, Min! The train ride looks amazing!
SSG xxx
Thanks SSG! Yes the train ride DOES look amazing doesn’t it? Kinda reminds me of the Hogwarts Express only better scenery! lol
Min, I just followed you on Instagram and am looking forward to viewing your photos. Your day trip to Kuranda sounds like a photographer’s dream. Enjoy your adventure.
Thanks Suzanne! Hope you enjoyed my photos while I was away. I tend to try not to flood my main Instagram feed so post the majority in my ‘stories’. Back home now!
I have been there three times! Once for a conference, then with my husband (who did not enjoy it) and then as a solo trip for me. I loved all I did there but in the October times it did get very humid. I have visited where you are going and know you will enjoy it all. I hope you have your camera at the ready.
See you (on the blog) when you are back. Enjoy the special family time.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week the optional prompt is Taking Stock, I hope you can join in again. Denyse.
It was lovely up there Denyse but very dry which surprised me! It was hot/humid enough for me in early September. I don’t think I’d cope well at all up there in summer. I would have to either be in very good air-conditioning or in a pool!
I haven’t been to Cairns for about 25 years Min so you’ve made me want to book and go. Enjoy time with your Mum and Daughter. We all need time away. #lovinlifelinky
It’s been since 1991 since I’ve been up in those parts Sue – so that’s about 28 years! I’ve had a couple of trips to Hamilton Island during those years but nowhere else up that way. It was lovely to get up that way again, even if just a fleeting visit! 🙂 xo