Posted 9:09 AM by MelanieandSteve
"Baby Steps" - allusion to an old Richard Dreyfus movie. Need to take things in stride. A lot has happened since last post. More than we can write up in a quick computer sitting. So ... Baby steps. This blog covers 19 June to about 22: THE REST OF OZ.

SO MUCH FUN IN CAIRNS, FORGOT TO HAVE FUN: It was so comfortable, social, and fun in Cairns, we got caught up in daily life. Working on the car, working out, going out. And then there weren't many days left, - - but OZ isn't OZ w/o a trip to Great Barrier Reaf, and North isn't North without some Rainforest. So we got busy... Chasing turtles, cucumbers, clams and coral of the Great Barrier reef . . .

CAPE TRIB, WHAT'S IN A NAME:
It's slogan: Cape Tribulation: 'Where the Rainforest Meets Coral Reef'
It's name: Cape Tribulation: 'Where the bow of Captain Cook's ship met Coral Reef'
It's Beauty: Defies it's name. One of the prettiest drives in OZ. A gorgeous rainforesty coastal road was the perfect way to culminate our Aussie travels and drive our last drive in Chester, the van.  We beach bathed in Port Douglas, and at cape Trib, we forewent a hostel room for one last night in Chester. We spent the evening playing cards with friends Franz, Jo, and Daniella at the sociable PK restaurant and pool bar.  Melanie practiced the challenging task of not talking since she had lost her voice.

THE LAST DAY: Our last day was max capacity.  Yoga on the windy Cape Trib beach. A scenic stormy  drive back to Cairns.  A post office frenzy dumping multi-Kgs of "can't carry, but can't throw aways". One last romp with weights at the gym. A speedy sale of Chester to the excited couple who loved Chester as much as we did. A final dinner out at our favie free dinner spot, the Woolshed. A midnight farewell social hour and poolside chat with friends at our hostel. And, of course, a late night of packing.

DESTINATION ASIA, FIRST STOP 11 HOUR LAYOVER AND NOWHERE ELSE TO GO: We had an all night layover in Singapore airport. But if theres an airport to suffer a night's wait in, it's clean and amenity-packed Singapore's.   Still, we longed for mattresses and blankies, but in the morning, bright and early, we were off to Hong Kong. New lands, New adventures . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO:
Lliam F, Kim T, Emily W.
and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: Clay and Dolly P.