October 11,
2013: SYDNEY TO CAIRNS
In spite of
our early wake-up call, our shuttle was late. But we made it to the airport
only to discover we were unaware of the terminal to enter. There are two
domestic terminals and one
international. Our driver suggested we go to the domestic as that was the type
of flight we were on. She was right. After getting our boarding passes we
waited in line a while to check bags then proceeded to our gate.
While we got
our tickets through Expedia, apparently when booking through Aussie/Kiwi
airlines on can request additional options such as meals. We did not, but were
able to order a bagel on our earlier flight to a sydney and a pie on our
current flight. Our flight attendant indicated that the additional fee was not
worth the food. The flight to Cairns was about three hours, but because
Queensland is not on daylight saving time, the change in time was only about
two hours. Interestingly enough, at no time were we asked for identification
prior to boarding our plane.
Our plan
arrived in Cairns at about 11 AM. It was a small airport and we debated between
taking a shuttle or renting a car. We opted for a small car from Avis. A good
choice. The road up to Port Douglas passed through small towns with many
roundabouts and finally narrowed to a
windy two lane road running along the shoreline. Fortunately there were several
passing lanes as we did not want to restrict others behind us.
After an hour
we reached the Sheraton Mirage Resort. It is an extensive resort with a main
lobby and fresh water pool and two branching wings on either side surrounded by
large salt water lagoons. A golf course wraps around the facility. Our room was
in building four with a branch of one of the lagoons below our second floor
king suite. The reviews on this resort are mixed, but the central conflict is
this: a spacious resort with many amenities directly on the beach, yet in
desperate need of renovation. The room had a mild musty smell but was well
appointed. Carpeting in tropical locations should be eschewed in favor of tile
or wood planking. The refrigerator was large, the windows looked out at fingers
of the lagoon. The hotel had a promotion
that allowed for 12 meal coupons for $240. Guest use the coupons for meals. One
for breakfast buffet and more for dinner or lunch. The breakfast buffet made
the expenditure worthwhile.
Once our room
was situated we made for the pool, a very large irregular shape near the lobby
building and restaurant. Like the hotel itself, it is showing wear. But with
the early Australian sun bearing down on us through a cloudless sky, the pool
was refreshing. I walked out to the beach where signs were posted about the
possibility of "stingers" that is box jellyfish that can give
powerful stings. Few people were on the beach. Most were lounging by the pool
or in one of the many salt water lagoons.
We drove into
Port Douglas proper for groceries and to buy some sun screen. Shops lined its
main tourist center.
October 12,
2013: PORT DOUGLAS
Because there
is no daylight saving time here, we were an hour earlier than Sydney. So
getting up early was not a problem, or depending on one's point of view,
remained a problem. We took advantage of the breakfast buffet that included
many items such as made to order omelets, pancakes, rolls, fruits, juices, and
even the Australian version of an Egg McMuffin. The lamb sausages were okay,
but the bacon great.
After
breakfast we walked to the pool. I was surprised there were so few people in or
around the pool as the restaurant and lobby earlier were very crowded. We
talked a while with a couple from Sydney. She hailed from the city while her
husband was from Israel.
After a
couple of hours it was decided we should do our laundry. This was to be done at
the laundromat in the Sunbird center a short walk from the lobby.short but
confusing. I had tried to find it earlier in the day and had become hopelessly
lost in the labyrinthine paths around the resort. And having found it earlier,
I had difficulty locating the specific room it was in as I had earlier found it
by coming into the lovely central courtyard from a different side.
The laundry
gave us a chance to read and write. And later we returned to the pool for a
swim.
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