crazyscot

Let's face it, getting up at 3am for a 6:30 flight was never going to be pleasant. We parked in the Christchurch Airport long-stay; the path took us through the end of the terminal building where they don't mind people "resting" overnight. As it was well before dawn, it was a slightly surreal experience to witness this room of people apparently openly sleeping.

( Australia day 0. Light on the photos and probably not of much interest. )

Monday. We were up at what passed for a sensible time (6am local, 9am NZ) for our 0710 pick-up for the day's activity, the Reef Experience tour. This is a close-up Great Barrier Reef experience, with snorkelling and - for those who wish it (we didn't) - an introductory scuba dive. ( Photos within )

Up not-quite-so-early today, for a pick-up just after 8am to ride on the Kuranda scenic railway, visit the village of Kuranda in the rainforest, and ride the Skyrail gondola back just above the canopy. ( Read more... )

It's funny that I should spend a whole post discussing just 117 seconds of my life, when I've been writing a post per day up 'til this point on this trip, but I think it deserves it. ( This is the biggie. Photo-tastic, if you scroll past the discussion of strategies. )