Green Island & Wheelchairs

We got picked up at 730am to head to the airport for a 945am flight. I was hoping that when we woke up, Richard’s ankle would have been healed. No such luck. When we got to the airport, I had to wheel him through the security to our gate. After I parked him there, I was in search of an ace bandage. Luckily, they have a pharmacy and I bought the ace bandage, ankle support and an anti-inflammatory cream. If you think food is expensive at the airport, try buying medical supplies. It cost me a whopping 70 AUD or $56!

We are now headed to Cairns (pronounced Cans) in the state of Queensland, home to one of the Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is the size of Texas and is the only living thing that can be seen by astronauts from space. Our flight was 3 hours and once we arrived we were scheduled to catch the 1pm ferry to Green Island.

In traditional Mur travels, our flight was delayed. We sat in the runway waiting for our turn to take off. Looking out the window, we were glad to be leaving Sydney because it was pouring outside.

We were supposed to arrive at 1145 am, which would have given us plenty of time to catch the ferry. We got there at 1210 pm and according to our itinerary, we had to check in a half hour before the ferry took off. We found our airport transfer driver and I waited for the luggage to come out. And again in typical fashion, our luggage was the last to come out. I told our driver we were trying to catch the ferry. It was a quarter to 1 so he made some calls to ask them to wait for us. He told us it wasn’t a problem.

So, he decided to drop off a few other people along the way. We got to the ferry terminal right at 1. I ran to the check-in desk and she told me it was too late. I begged saying our driver called ahead…..I think they talked to the wrong ferry! She radioed down to the dock and they said they would wait but I had 4 suitcases and an injured husband to run down there with and without a wheelchair or baggage cart! We got there in the nick of time! Otherwise we would have had to catch a 330 ferry and sit at the dock for 2.5 hours!

Green Island Resort is a National Wildpark within 1 hour of Cairns. The island is filled with lush rainforests and pristine white sand beaches. Pulling up to Green Island was such a different sight, compared to the bustling city of Sydney. Once we arrived, the luggage porters had to give us a ride up the dock to the Reception area. We originally had the cheapest room, or Island Suite. But the room they booked us in was upstairs and Rich couldn’t really handle it. So, they gave us a free upgrade to the Reef Suite, the most expensive room, since it was on the first level and close to all the activities. I started calling him Sarah. Sarah is on this season of the Amazing Race and has a bionic leg. She uses her injured card a lot to get upgrades.

After checking in, we hung out at the beach for a while. The water is like bath water and it’s so clear. At 5pm, they feed the fish off the dock. It’s so cool, since they came in schools! And of course the seagulls were trying to get a piece of it too….mine…mine….mine. After the feeding, we headed over to the beach for champagne to watch the sunset. Off the dock, we saw a stingray swimming….it was so incredible.

Dinner was amazing. Rich had Australian Crayfish and I ordered the shellfish medley. It was the best seafood we ever had! We ate so much that we went straight to bed after. All the weight I lost for the wedding was gained in just 2 weeks after. But it’s been fun gaining it back!

PICTURES: Green Island Day 1