The Traveling Martens

More Aussie Adventures!

4:00 a.m..... Why would anyone wake up at this hour on vacation?

We boarded a bus which left Cairns, and drove up the steep, switchback road through the mountains and rainforest. After over an hour, we were driving through Australia's flatter tablelands in the morning dark. We pulled into a field as the biggest hot air balloon we've ever seen was being fired up. The sky was just beginning to get light as we climbed into the basket and lifted off! At about 2,000 feet above the valley, the sunrise was breaking through the clouds, and we could see mountains, rainforest and lakes below us. On the flatlands, there were scattered mango, banana, and palm farms. We drifted through the valley and enjoyed the odd sensation of floating so high. After nearly an hour, the pilot began the descent to start looking for a landing spot. Once we were low enough to make out objects on the ground again, we saw giant ant hills (also the size of a mini Cooper car) scattered in the shrubs. Anytime the balloon started descending too fast, the pilot fired the flame inside the balloon again, and kangaroos would scatter below us, scared by the noise. After a safe landing, we helped the crew pack up the balloon and had a great champagne breakfast.

From there, we got dropped off at Barron River in the rainforest on the steep descent back to Cairns. With our swimsuits, lifejackets, and helmets on, we boarded a raft to do some great whitewater rafting through a steep gorge in the rainforest. The fun Aussie guide kept trying to guide the boat so the rapids would knock the Americans off, but we survived! There were a couple spots where the water rushed into one side of the raft, sending it under water, and sending the other end flying into the air. We all were thrown up out of our seats a couple times, but somehow landed back in the raft. It was great! The scenery was swell too.

Back at the hostel, we are going to relax here tonight (cheap Indian buffet for dinner and happy hour) and will be leaving Cairns tommorrow for Port Douglas (Daintree Rainforest), Cape Tribulation, and an even more authentic outback adventure.

We don't even want to think about our trip ending yet, we are loving Australia!

posted by Mel and Stacy Marten @ 4:32 AM