Yesterday was a bit of a dud. Drove from Port Douglas to Cairns Harbour (around 75 minutes) first thing to board the cat at 11am.
The drive along this part of the coast is spectacular, although much more so at low tide. We stopped at one view we had noticed on the way up. There was also a spectacular sand spit that we couldnt see this time because of the high tide.
We listened to the boarding instructions and waited for the previous cat to return in the allocated berth. I swear, we must have looked like we knew what we were doing because no matter where we stood, so many came up to us asking if they were in the right place. I had my holiday face on but clearly not enough! The cat arrived and we moved (fwd portside) to where we thought it would be boarding, whilst others stayed at the aft (see what I am doing here
) Sure enough the gangway landed at our feet and we were first on. Not that it was the least bit crowded but we chuckled anyway.
Trip to Fitzroy Island was around 45 minutes under smooth seas. We could see the other cats doing the usual snorkelling trip at nearby reef pontoons.
We bought ourselves a boat (nah, I can dream).
As we were doing the whale watching trip we were told to stay onboard and a few of us did so whilst more people boarded. We then spent the next 90 minutes looking aimlessly and fruitlessly for the sign of a water spout. We had already been told the last sighting was a week ago. Oh. Didnt mention that when we booked. And what did we see? Nada. Zilch. Big fat zero. Not even a fricken bird. So we returned. Everyone was rather like, what the heck did we do that for getting blown around for 90 minutes trying to see something and they really knew that was going to be the case. Apologetic? So sorry? What a shame? Nah. Just mind your step as you get off. Needless to say the group wasnt a happy bunch of campers as we disembarked. Not their fault of course, but just an acknowledgement of it might have been nice. It wasnt even a pleasant trip as we went full bore out to sea and back. In the wind at the back of the cat.
Anyways, moving on, we had planned to do some paddle boarding. Unfortunately by the time we had finished the whale non sightseeing trip, the winds had turned northerly enough to halt that plan. So we bought a packet of chips and two corona beers and sat at the bar and drank. Just the two beers though. Our trip was to return at 4 so we whiled away the two hours laughing at our day as we had another 45 minute trip back on the cat and another 90 minute drive to get back to the Hotel.
Returned back, had a quick refresh then off to Macrossan Street for a really good meal at the pub (barramundi, fresh, what a treat) then a quick watch of Bold Type on Stan streaming, then sleep.
. Weirdly their menu only offered ricotta, lemon curd, vanilla and mint. I said nup just the syrup. Price was the same though.
