I didn't kill myself, so here's my trip report
Nov 27th, 2001 | 08:24 PM
#1
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I didn't kill myself, so here's my trip report
Hello everyone!<BR><BR>I just came back from 3 weeks in Oz. Needless to say, I had a stupendous time. <BR><BR>This message board is the one thing that never led me wrong in my research for the trip. (My inquiry for this trip is under the title "please help me so I don't kill myself). If you're new to the fodors.com, I'd highly recommend just reading through the posts, as many as you can. Then doing searches on hotels, areas, etc. that interest you. Even guidebooks weren't as thorough as some of the people on this board.<BR><BR>With that said, here are the highlights/areas of interest. If you'd like to email me with questions, feel free. Just put "Oz question" in the subject, or most likely I'll inadvertently delete your e-mail.<BR><BR>Oh...one more thing. I'm a 28 year old gal, who traveled solo. I didn't want to "rough" it, but I didn't want to spend tons of money on lodging either. My trip was from November 9-27. I was really, really lucky with the weather. It rained a couple times at night, but nowhere did it pour on me during the day.<BR><BR>7 nights: Port Douglas<BR><BR>Stayed: Hibiscus Garden. www.hibiscusportdouglas.com.au. Absolutely Excellent! Reception was very knowledgeable and made fabulous recommendations. Room was a steal for the money ($130 AUD for one bedroom apt)<BR><BR>Diving: I am a certified diver. I had initially booked with Quicksilver (the big boat) and Poseidon (smaller). I got there early for the Quicksilver, and the reservationist told me I should go on the smaller QuickSmart if I really wanted good diving. Best advice I could have gotten...the QuickSmart was a great boat. Comfortable, with good food. The QuickSilver is a huge boat...great for snorkelers, and I hear, intro divers. If you are a certified diver, I'd hightly recommend going on a smaller boat. There are plenty to choose from.<BR><BR>As far the the QuickSmart/Poseidon comparison...I liked the QuickSmart better for a couple of reasons. A.) The boat is a bit nicer, with comfier seats that aren't vinyl. B.) Food is better, especialy morning and afternoon tea. QuickSmart served what is best described is pizza in the morning (Breads with cheese, tomatoes, and other toppings)...which was great for the diver who didn't eat breakfast. Poseidon just had tea and biscuits (cookies). Lunch was excellent on both boats. Afternoon tea, QuickSmart had cakes, cheeses, nuts, crackers, dried fruit. Poseidon had a couple kinds of cakes out. C.)I had a better Divemaster on the QuickSmart. Dives (and other kinds of tours) are often made or broken by the guide, and you never know what kind of guide you're going to get. My guide on the QuickSmart was very funny, but less knowledgeable on the names of the fish than the guide on the Poseidon. However, when I went back to the QuickSmart another day, I had the same guide...but he was far more subdued (maybe he had a rough night partying). Same guy, different personality...so you never know.<BR>
Nov 27th, 2001 | 08:28 PM
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trip report (continued)<BR><BR>(continued from another post of same title)<BR><BR>Tully River Rafting: Very fun. Very tiring. Trip is 3 hours from PD...but worth it, as the crowd tends to be young and fun. Water levels were a bit low in November, but the biting flies weren't as nasty. Raging Thunder Adventures (based out of Cairns) was great...and the guides were cute. 
<BR><BR>Best Massage: Natural Therapies Centre and Spa in PD, www.portdouglas-natural-therapies.com: Small business. Did a three hour package for $195 AUD (a steal, even if it were US dollars...but wow...with the strong dollar, it was dirt cheap!) Ask for Annie..that women has magic fingers! Best massage I've ever gotten...and I've had plenty.<BR><BR>David Armbrust Australian Natural History Safari, www.anhs.com.au: You've probably seen the postings on this board. This is where I found David myself. A few words about this tour...I am 28 years old. Most of David's clients tend to be older. That day was no different as I toured the rainforest with a retired couple. Out of everything I planned to do in P.D., this was the thing I was least excited about, but did anyway, because the rainforest is an area "must-do."<BR><BR>I think this became one of my fondest memories because of a few things: A.) the Man himself. David is PASSIONATE about the environment and the animals. He isn't just any tour guide. There is a serenity about the man, and I really enjoyed his stories and his interaction with the surroundings. David made the tour exceptional for me, because I got the feeling he was a special person. B.) the animals. You get to see them close up! C.) the LUNCH!!! If do you do a search on David on this website, you'll find the lunch is highly spoken about. I went in with high expectations, and they were far exceeded. I hope I don't put the mark higher...but it was the best food I had in all of Australia (including great-known restaurants like Doyle's on the Beach, and some waterfront restaurants in Sydney...I kept thinking..hmmm...David's fish is better than this! It was very simple and tasty.) Diane (his wife) is a great cook, and the spot he picks for lunch is lovely. I will dream about the lunch for a long, long time. I won't tell you what else we had, because I don't know if he changes the menu, but it was heaven.<BR><BR>I read that a few people were disappointed in the tour. Let me just say that if you're into quick, busy action, this may not be the tour for you (which may explain his older clientele). It is rather slow-paced. I enjoy the wisdom of people older than myself, and loved listening to David. The couple, Julia and Vern, who were with me were wonderful people and added a lot to my trip. When David wasn't teaching me something, Vern was (like what cows won't cross over!) It's the little things that will endear this tour to you.<BR>
<BR><BR>Best Massage: Natural Therapies Centre and Spa in PD, www.portdouglas-natural-therapies.com: Small business. Did a three hour package for $195 AUD (a steal, even if it were US dollars...but wow...with the strong dollar, it was dirt cheap!) Ask for Annie..that women has magic fingers! Best massage I've ever gotten...and I've had plenty.<BR><BR>David Armbrust Australian Natural History Safari, www.anhs.com.au: You've probably seen the postings on this board. This is where I found David myself. A few words about this tour...I am 28 years old. Most of David's clients tend to be older. That day was no different as I toured the rainforest with a retired couple. Out of everything I planned to do in P.D., this was the thing I was least excited about, but did anyway, because the rainforest is an area "must-do."<BR><BR>I think this became one of my fondest memories because of a few things: A.) the Man himself. David is PASSIONATE about the environment and the animals. He isn't just any tour guide. There is a serenity about the man, and I really enjoyed his stories and his interaction with the surroundings. David made the tour exceptional for me, because I got the feeling he was a special person. B.) the animals. You get to see them close up! C.) the LUNCH!!! If do you do a search on David on this website, you'll find the lunch is highly spoken about. I went in with high expectations, and they were far exceeded. I hope I don't put the mark higher...but it was the best food I had in all of Australia (including great-known restaurants like Doyle's on the Beach, and some waterfront restaurants in Sydney...I kept thinking..hmmm...David's fish is better than this! It was very simple and tasty.) Diane (his wife) is a great cook, and the spot he picks for lunch is lovely. I will dream about the lunch for a long, long time. I won't tell you what else we had, because I don't know if he changes the menu, but it was heaven.<BR><BR>I read that a few people were disappointed in the tour. Let me just say that if you're into quick, busy action, this may not be the tour for you (which may explain his older clientele). It is rather slow-paced. I enjoy the wisdom of people older than myself, and loved listening to David. The couple, Julia and Vern, who were with me were wonderful people and added a lot to my trip. When David wasn't teaching me something, Vern was (like what cows won't cross over!) It's the little things that will endear this tour to you.<BR>
Nov 27th, 2001 | 08:29 PM
#3
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(last part of report)<BR><BR><BR>P.D. was my favorite stop on my holiday. Good food (lunch at Salsa was great!) and easy to meet people for the solo traveler. If you're really young, Cairns is full of young backpackers. But I didn't like the "city" feel of it. In P.D. you do feel like you've gotten away from it all...not a McDonalds in the entire place.<BR><BR>Melbourne (5 nights)<BR>Stayed: Oakford Gordon Place (City Center). Good value for the money. Complimentary use of Laundry ((very important on long trips!) and helpful staff. $165 AUD for large studio apt.)<BR>Bleah. Don't know why I didn't love it...too many shops. Great shopping though. Stay away from City Centre for the best shopping. Go to the suburbs. I did enjoy Chapel Street in South Yarra (take the number 8 tram)<BR><BR>Sydney (6 nights)<BR>Stayed: Bed and Breakfast, Sydney Harbour, The Rocks. www.bbsydneyharbour.com.au. Simply yet lovely...it's a fabulous value and centrally located. Great hosts, and good breakfasts! $155 AUD for bedroom with shared bathroom.<BR><BR>Beautiful city, and much better for tourists, I think. I especially enjoyed Doyle's on the Beach (touristy, but worth doing), the bridgeclimb (I had a great guide, and it's a must-do) the food (Sailor's Thai was like no Thai restaurant I had been to before. It's in the Rocks Area. Order the Som Dam salad on a hot day). Manly beach is nice, and easy to get to. Also, if you're in Australia, and like fish, order the Barramundi...yum!<BR><BR>Well, I know this was long...hope it helps. Being a solo woman traveler, I have a heart for my fellow solo women travelers, so please email me with any questions. Australia is a great place for the solo travelers...I saw many many of them. I, myself, had a most delightful time.<BR><BR><BR>
Dec 7th, 2001 | 09:28 PM
#6
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Thanks Margo...what a great city you in. Although there is one place I didn't like..Darling Harbour gave me hives. I guess the general rule is if ONLY tourists frequent the area, stay away! I can think of lots of places here in Los Angeles like that!
Feb 9th, 2002 | 11:18 AM
#8
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anyone know why this thing isn't searchable? Hmmmm...<BR><BR>Well, I'll top this for LizF.<BR><BR>A couple of things I wanted to add to this report...<BR><BR>Oakford Gordon Place is not a luxurious place...they have an older section, and a remodeled section. I first got a room in the newer area, which was on the ground floor, tiny, and felt like a prison cell. I protested. The second studio I got was airy (high ceilings) and twice the size. Furnishings left much to be desired, but I got used to it, and enjoyed the space. So this place can be a crapshoot, I suppose. Just wanted to let you know, in case anyone took my suggestion, ended up in a hole of a room, and emailed me "what the f*ck were you thinking??!?!?"<BR><BR>Sydney B&B was a great place, and I liked my room. I, however, am half deaf...so it didn't bother me that here was a major road right outside my window. I'd just sleep on my "good" ear, and not care the cars kept vrooming by. The room I had was called the "Barton".<BR><BR>Finally, the most important thing...the men in Australia are very, very cute.<BR><BR>Happy travels....
