Other trip days
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Cairns - A Late Morning Start
This was actually a do-nothing day. Sleep in today. Got up around 8:45 AM. Pack and dumped some excess stuff. Bags were out by 9:30 AM (pick up at 10 AM). Just made it to breakfast (close at 10 AM). Souvenir shop in the hotel was closed from 10:30 AM-4:30 PM so missed out on morning shopping. Took pictures around the pool area of the hotel then boarded the bus for a last trip with Greg.
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Cairns to Melbourne Flight
There was a long line to check in baggage. Went though security and got in some last minute shopping, getting a Port Douglas book. Got on the flight to Sydney at gate 19. Kwut sat on 50D and I sat in 50C, which were both inside seats. People sitting by the window got to see the Great Barrier Reef. Qantas service was off that day (must have taken lessons from Kani’s). They forgot our lunch (choices were fish and beef) so we both ended up getting beef and they gave us some cmplimentary beer to apologize. I got the Victoria Bitter (VB) and Kwut got the Tooheys. The IK was desert and it was thawed this time. The movie was Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Landed in Sydney at 4:25 PM (clock moved forward, since Cairns is not on daylight time). Bought Vegemite and some kangaroo jerky at the Sydney airport. The departure gate changed from 3 to 13. Jann did the credit cards for the Aussie optional tours. Boarded the flight to Melbourne at 6:10 PM for a 6:30 departure. Seats were 37J (Kwut) and 37K (me). There was only one meal option, pasta with mushroom—and no IK desert. After a flight of only an hour and a half we landed in Melbourne.
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Melbourne Arrival and Chinatown Exploration
Walked to the baggage claim and the bags were already on the carousel. Almost dusk now and boarded bus with driver Scott. Drove from the airport south to downtown Melbourne, past the Queen Victoria Market to the Sofitel Melbourne. After getting the key and a welcoming from the hotel dupe, we got in room 4516. Great view (45th floor facing inland, north). Went to look for Chinatown. After wandering around lost most of the time, ask a taxi to take us there. The driver said that Chinatown was only two blocks up the street and he did not want to take us. We got to the closest restaurant called Happy Palace. I got the black bean chicken. After dinner they tried to close the restaurant (closing time was midnight) when we were still waiting for the check. Got back to the hotel at 11:30 PM and took some night pictures from the room.
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