crazyscot

After the eclipse we were a bit short on things to fill our last day in Queensland, so we drove to the little town of Mareeba (pop. 6800). ( The last few pics within. )

Finally, getting back to Chch, came a bonus that we hadn't previously experienced. At passport control, the "locals" queue covers NZ and Australia passports, and NZ residents. We got to use the short line, and were welcomed home!

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. )

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... )

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 )

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. )

We are home after a few days in Queensland.

Headlines: Hot. Sticky. Exhausting. Breathtaking (in at least three ways). It was cloudy for the total eclipse, but cleared up just enough that we saw it.

More to follow, but it won't be tonight. In the meantime, have a teaser photo...