Greetings!

So I didn’t sleep well last night either. I don’t know what it is but I never got to sleep until like 3AM. Even then it was off and on. Maybe it is a change in diet or my body missing home. I don’t really know. I do know there was a guy last night at 4AM whose cigarette smoke coming in through the damn window gave me a major headache.

Got up did breakfast and headed to the train station. The mall I went through last night was closed so I trekked around the building, found the platform and got in line. I decided to buy the skyrail package for a total of $97. The train arrived, I was in the first car and I was excited and surprised to learn that it had open windows. That meant the pictures would be good unlike the Sunlander train.

The train took 2 hours to get to Kuranda. It was a beautiful scenic ride with lots of history. It was exactly what I wanted. When we got off the train I peed, and then headed out on the trails. I started by the river and then went into the Jungle. The farnorth queensland tropical rainforest is something I really wanted to see as the fauna here is some of the oldest relatable on the planet. It stretches back to Gondwanaland.

I finished the 2hr long trails in just over an hour. I was just a little disappointed but they were really good so that made up for it. I then headed into the town which wasn’t what I had expected from the Village in the Forest namesake. I had lunch in a small park off the main street and watched some families play and asian tourists take pictures. I then was looking at going into the butterfly house but realized it cost $17 and looked like a tourist trap.

Instead I started a near 2 hour troll through dozens of shops and markets. If America created consumerism, we are not its only adherents. There was all kinds of foods, goods, and tourist trash. As a management major I really enjoy seeing the different merchandising techniques. But it was a lot of stuff. I stopped a medium sized café after seeing what I thought was a delicious looking cheesecake. It turned out to be a tart but I got a piece anyways. It was blackcurrant  and blueberry and was good as I had never had a tart before.

I then went back to the river for some more random walking and then made my way to the sky rail. It was 2:30. I got in line for the gondolas and then was off. The gondolas were absolutely stunning! The best I have ever been on. The views were just remarkably amazing. Like a helicopter flight. There were three stops with different things on each, 2 boardwalks and an outlook. The entire journey took just over an hour and I finally arrived at the other side. It was well worth it.

I caught the bus that was included in my package back to cairns central and explored through the mall. It was similar to the American malls with a mix of preteens, teens, and moms. It had a Target though, the first one I have seen in months so that was nice.

I then went to the Hostel to do a change out of some things and headed out towards the waterfront. I walked through the city and then down the waterfront which they call the emplenade. I think that is it.

I was looking to either yell my feeling at the sea or to play volleyball. Luckily I found the later. Played some decent games (haven’t touched a sand ball in like 8 months) and then near the end a german guy I was playing with (it was all international people) dove and I fell over him. In doing so I apparently banged my foot against his head or back. It hurts a lot but I am seriously hoping it isn’t a break. I am going to sleep on it and decide. It will get better. Although that means that tomorrow is my free day.

I limped back to the hostel with my makeshift bandage of napkins and duct tape because apparently no in town chemists are open past 5. I can’t wait to get back to fricken 24/7 walgreens or CVS. Or not having to go to a specialists for basic medical supplies. I asked reception if they had ice or bandages. They did not.

So I put on my boots took some damn good advil and went to eat. Soup, toasted bread, cheese, and chocolate. Not bad. Some French girl sat down at the table because she though she knew me. It was kinda an awkward conversation. It wasn’t one of those moments where it felt as though we were supposed to be talking. Ohh well.

Just took a shower and know I am planning to sleep well. Gotta book my snorkeling trip to the barrier reef and such tomorrow or tonight. I would have liked to go tomorrow but ohh well. There is probably a lesson in this.

Anywho lets hope for the best that this foot thing is just a tough bruise.

All the best!

-Mathias