Week 2 @ Cairns and Nanny’s flown home, John and Jack are out of range so I’m starting to feel pretty anxious in regards to not being able to communicate with them and touch base with Jack. Charlie is really lost and walking around aimlessly without his right hand brother following his every step. I have noticed Char’s confidence and ability to make park friends has dropped somewhat without Jack by his side. Elkie is missing John and watches my phone like a hawk, little bugger suggested I go to Cape York and send Daddy home, hence I’m not feeling the love this week.
On a brighter note, my high school best friend Vali from Tweed heads decided last minute to bring her beautiful little 1 year old daughter Ruby to stay in the van with us for a few days. Vali hired a car and what a treat that was. We certainly made great use of the wheels visiting Cairns Esplanade lagoon pools – AMAZING! We also visited Hartley’s Wild Life Adventure, now that’s value for money at under $100 for the family, I highly recommend this day trip, there was so many Crocodile’s from the smaller farming ones to the massive 5.5 metre big mamas! There was also smooching koalas, snake patting, a boat tour around a green slimy croc infested lake and educational croc feeding shows. The kids loved it plus they scored well conning me into purchasing overpriced souvenirs on the way out.
While Vali and Ruby were with us we also made wonderful use of our caravan park Coconut Resort. Ruby enjoyed the indoor playground while my guys were impossible to drag away from the heated pool, kid’s spa, waterside and water park. Seriously it takes the full day to get around the water activities. I was happy to have an adult around and it meant that I could hit the park’s gym but let’s be honest, I was so grateful for kid free time. I would be lying if I said I didn’t walk on the treadmill and perform very lame stretches while watching Sunrise for an hour a day. My fitness is dropping rapidly.
We meet yet again a beautiful family camping opposite our site. Brooke, Damien and their little dude Taj. All the kids played well while us parents enjoyed a drink in the sun and they even hosted us for a homemade pizza night on the grass. I’m loving this aspect of travelling and have lost count how many fantastic family’s we have met this trip but it’s always sad saying goodbye knowing there’s a good chance we won’t ever see them again.
Now me ‘the budget queen’ , I am working so hard to keep to our set figure under control but I am feeling the pressure from Charlie to keep hiring the $10 cart bikes from the park almost daily. However, I do give in as I can see he is lost without both the boys that he is not used to being apart from. The park is massive, flat and so much fun on these peddle carts, sometimes we hire the double ones so I can pretend to help but really there are just flat out fun.
I had a brilliant time seeing Vali and I was touched she made the effort to come and visit (I did forget however about the early mornings 1 years old have lol). However excitement is brewing as I know my boys are within hours of arriving and I am DONE! I can’t stand being apart from Jack another night. 14 days is my limit and I don’t think I would be thrilled about him ever leaving me for that long again. I called him with excitement telling him I couldn’t wait to cuddle him and he replied, “Mummy when I get back I will be tired so I will need a rest first and then we can cuddle”. I should have predicted that response. His entire 6 years of living has been scheduled, practical and he lives out ‘Jacks way of life.’
I hear the Hilux, Elkie performs an Olympic sprint to ensure John gets to her before me. I run to Jack knowing he would need space first, he didn’t surprise me. He smiled at me and said “No cuddle yet, I just need a little rest”. I usually respect Jack’s odd little requests but this time I couldn’t and picked him up kissing him like mad. And of course I got my Johnny boy home too!! My family are back at last. The guys had so many stories, photos and videos to share. John said he wished I came and assured me I would have loved it but I was much too nervous, maybe in two more years. I can’t stop looking at Jack and I’m loving having him back.
We stayed another few nights in Cairns so we could enjoy the reunification of the family J . The boys had a big car clean up plus indulged in a number of relaxing spas after hours spending many hours in the car. We visited Cairns Cable Ski and Aqua Park. Wow, such fun. John wakeboards back home so he enjoyed a wake board session and we had a crack at the blow up water obstacle park. It was just like the show ‘Wipeout’. We had an absolute ball, it was hard work and we all took our fair share of big knocks but it was a laugh a minute. Poor little Elk was too young but she was such a little patient champion as she always is!!!!! She never complains and was happy to sit and watch us while taking photos. I rewarded her later that day with a shopping afternoon and afternoon tea.
We were ready to leave Cairns for now but we will definitely be returning to Cairns Coconut Resort. There’s no better place to stay. They even have self-contained cabins so we won’t rule out flying up one year for a visit. It is an epic place to stay that kept us more than entertained for 19 days.
Speaking of budget, we have had many questions asking us “is a trip like this expensive”? I am happy to share our figures as we record every dollar at the end of every day. We include absolutely every dollar spent on accommodation, diesel (that’s a killer), groceries, entertainment and all incidentals. So far and it is has been 10 weeks, we have kept to approx. $1300 per week, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.
We have had an amazing time and we have experienced so many adventures however I’m extremely thoughtful and avoid any money wastage. We take our own drinks, lunch and snacks where ever we go although on average we do loosen the budget strings and allow ourselves a brought lunch and dinner at least once a week and ice cream treats maybe twice a week. We always gather as many brochures as possible for local attractions and choose wisely, looking for best value for money. We make great use of what activities the caravan parks have to offer and found its beneficial to spend maybe $20-30 extra on a park that’s loaded with attractions for children and close to beaches but we also choose different styles of camping and holidaying to that of the caravan parks. While we saved and sacrificed for two years for this trip, it’s been so worth the effort to enjoy a lengthy time away, enjoying life with our family with zero distraction and really being present for each other.
Recent Post:
Categories:
Tags:
Key Industry Partners
