Ralph and Sarah's adventure continued. . .

Thursday May 7th

Steven, our four wheel drive tour guide took us around and through the Cairns rainforests. Steven was so unbelievably knowledgeable about the history and current events of the area. We were in a Land Rover with just us and 3 other people and we got taken on tracks that aren’t even on a map! No joke, we were the only people through these parts of the rainforest that day. We explored GIANT fig trees that used to be homes to the Aboriginal people and even had lunch next to a gorgeous lake that was surrounded by the rainforest. Throughout the tour we had to make several river crossings in the vehicle which were quite exciting. Steven showed us a ‘stinging plant’ which has tiny fibers that are glass which when you touch the plant, thousands of them shoot into your skin which are toxic. The stinging apparently feels like ‘hundreds of bees stinging you at once’ and that’s not where it stops. . . .this feeling will go on for up to 3 months! Needless to say, we steered clear of all the stinging plants even though they appeared to be absolutely harmless.

The tour was an all day event. I wish I could describe to you how amazing walking through the rainforest was. What an incredible place.

Friday was a relaxing day for us, we just walked around Cairns, looked in some shops and went to the casino (didn’t win anything)! It was pretty rainy so we didn’t venture out too far from the hotel.

Saturday we travelled back to Brisbane where we had to grab a shuttle from the airport back to the Marriott hotel. I usually have games on Sundays, but this week we had a schedule change so we were scheduled to play Saturday at 5. . . but the field we were playing at was a little over an hour away.

The plan was for Karina to meet us at the hotel with Izzy and drive my parents and I down to the game in Mulliwumbah (AKA MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)! The drive to Brisbane on a shuttle usually takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Sure enough, the shuttle had taken almost 2 hours and was STILL not near the Marriott so we had to have the shuttle driver pull over at a taxi stand, let us out and we hopped in the taxi who drove us right to the hotel and we got there just after 3. Literally we dropped our bags off in the lobby and left for the game.

The game wasn’t too bad, we didn’t play too well but we managed to win 5-2 after being tied 2-2 at half time. They second half was much better hockey for us then the first. Izzy’s parents were at the game so my parents got to sit and chat with them so that was nice. My parents enjoyed the game and were really happy to finally see the team I have been playing with.

Mother’s day was great, I met my parents at the hotel and we hung out by the pool and for the day and then I went and got my haircut. . . really short! TO MY CHIN!!I haven’t had my hair cut this short since I was 10 years old. It looks very different and I am not at all used to it yet, but I am glad I did it, I’ve wanted a change for a while.
For Mother’s Day dinner, we went to a restaurant called Moo Moo. . .as I am sure you guessed, we had some delicious steak and Mom seemed to really enjoy it so that’s what matters most.