Escape - travelling with Covid.

[Anna]

The weather looks gorgeous, and much better than the rain squall that just passed over here. But being honest, I'm not sure there's much else about the covid travel experience that sounds attractive to me. With only 30% occupancy and all the covid precautions, isn't the atmosphere a bit deflated from usual? I'm not sure I would find it very relaxing. Everyone else's MMV

 

[Mattg]

Now this place has taken Covid restrictions and security to a whole new level. We didnt try.


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I think pretty much every restaurant I visited in Brisbane in the past few weeks had a similar registration requirement. You only have to do one of those 3 things. Yes it's annoying, but it's now a government requirement to leave your details when dining in at restaurants in QLD (and most states, I believe). If it means I can go out to eat, I'll just suck it up and do it.

 

[Pushka]

I think pretty much every restaurant I visited in Brisbane in the past few weeks had a similar registration requirement. You only have to do one of those 3 things. Yes it's annoying, but it's now a government requirement to leave your details when dining in at restaurants in QLD (and most states, I believe). If it means I can go out to eat, I'll just suck it up and do it.

I think it’s good. Effective reminder. We enjoy all the freedoms in SA but don’t do anything at all. Too lax.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am in two minds posting this report - because so many of our AFF companions are locked down

No problem with it at all. Those who can holiday, work etc should all be free to do so, including writing normal AFF reports.

It will certainly making much better reading than any 5km path reports that I would be limited to at present.

 

[Denali]

I am in two minds posting this report - ....

Ive been contemplating taking my new luggage out for a spin to the end of the driveway and back and taking pics for a trip report - yours is much better!

 

[p--and--t]

I stop my glasses fogging up by folding a tissue and stapling it on the inside just below the top of the mask. Seems to work like a charm for me.

 

[Anna]

I think it’s good. Effective reminder. We enjoy all the freedoms in SA but don’t do anything at all. Too lax.

Interesting (alarming?) that SA has 7 active cases and no precautions, while Qld has 6 active cases and all the precautions.

 

[Pushka]

No whales. Sigh. And no “so sorry” from the cruise people.

Too soon?

 

[Anna]

I read somewhere else that there is a rental car shortage in FNQ and some people have been arriving at CNS to find their car booking not honoured. Have you encountered anyone with that issue?

It would be an absolute PITA to have accomm booked in Port Douglas but no rental car to drive there in

 

[Pushka]

I read somewhere else that there is a rental car shortage in FNQ and some people have been arriving at CNS to find their car booking not honoured. Have you encountered anyone with that issue?

It would be an absolute PITA to have accomm booked in Port Douglas but no rental car to drive there in

That wouldn’t be good. Avis computer systems were down and busy but others eg Budget were quiet.

 

[VPS]

I read somewhere else that there is a rental car shortage in FNQ and some people have been arriving at CNS to find their car booking not honoured. Have you encountered anyone with that issue?

It would be an absolute PITA to have accomm booked in Port Douglas but no rental car to drive there in

A friend arrived a couple of weeks ago and was given a van and that was the last car and there were people waiting for cars after him. They did arrange to swap it a couple of days later

 

[DC3]

.... Our car has NSW numberplates ....

NSW rego would be borderline, but VIC would be a killer. Having to explain it to everyone.

FNQ has heaps to offer, and you are there at a great time of the year, weather-wise.

 

[bPeteb]

The first afternoon we took the car to check out dining options and more importantly alcohol supplies into Port Douglas Main street which is about where the flags are for croc free swimming. And also check out tour options at the marine harbour. Macrossan Street is a typical Qld style beach street. Many restaurants and bars are closed but those that are open have customers.

The Harbour was quite busy as we had arrived as tours were returning and sunset tours about to head out. Lots of big beautiful cats to go to the outer reef.
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This sunset tour is on a junk. It did not look comfortable at all. After two hours sitting like this I would have had to crawl off to get out as it is the worst sitting position for my dodge back.

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Now this place has taken Covid restrictions and security to a whole new level. We didnt try.


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It did get a little hard on both the legs and the bum sitting up front on the junk. We went to Hemingway's in Cairns. We're a fan of the QR scanner. Much prefer it to writing stuff down. Our local golf club bistro is now using it as you arrive and I've just read some Woolies stores in Vic and NSW now have voluntary QR scanning for contact tracing

ps, you're making me want to head straight back up there!

 

[Anna]

you're making me want to head straight back up there!

The leaf blower is the real deal-breaker for me so far, despite the nice photos of a clear blue sky

 

[Pushka]

It did get a little hard on both the legs and the bum sitting up front on the junk. We went to Hemingway's in Cairns. We're a fan of the QR scanner. Much prefer it to writing stuff down. Our local golf club bistro is now using it as you arrive and I've just read some Woolies stores in Vic and NSW now have voluntary QR scanning for contact tracing

ps, you're making me want to head straight back up there!

I just used the scan for brekky here. I still needed to provide details etc on the phone. And now sitting right here waiting for pancakes. On my own as MrP is working in a zoom until 1pm.



The new Must Have feature in every wonderful lobby. Sad times.

 

[bPeteb]

The leaf blower is the real deal-breaker for me so far, despite the nice photos of a clear blue sky

I'd just put my headphones on and close my eyes

Going back to something your said earlier Anna - we both found the quietness (as in lack of people) so nice although realised it wasn't good for the hotel. The Reef House was fully occupied but the rest of the places we stayed at weren't.

Neither of us need to be surrounded by crowds and the cleaning and gardening going on around us was no different to what we've experienced at the majority of the Asian resorts and hotels we've stayed.

 

[Pushka]

I'd just put my headphones on and close my eyes

Going back to something your said earlier Anna - we both found the quietness (as in lack of people) so nice although realised it wasn't good for the hotel. The Reef House was fully occupied but the rest of the places we stayed at weren't.

Neither of us need to be surrounded by crowds and the cleaning and gardening going on around us was no different to what we've experienced at the majority of the Asian resorts and hotels we've stayed.

Agree. I’d like to see it much busier for their business going forward. Many bars are closed and those that are open in the day close by 5pm. Macrossan street up the road is livelier.

Today the gardeners have gone and it’s peaceful again. It seemed a weird time between 10.30 and 3pm to be doing this when everyone was out there and with people disappearing by 3 that would be the best time. Whatever, bad luck on our first morning but done with now.

And breakfast was fabulous.

 

[DC3]

.... And breakfast was fabulous.

Time for another latte.

 

[Pushka]

Time for another latte.

I know. Gone too soon! I need to save up for it though Bacon was an extra $6 but you cant have pancakes, maple syrup and no bacon can you . Weirdly their menu only offered ricotta, lemon curd, vanilla and mint. I said nup just the syrup. Price was the same though.

 

[Pushka]

Yesterday was a bit of a dud. Drove from Port Douglas to Cairns Harbour (around 75 minutes) first thing to board the cat at 11am.

The drive along this part of the coast is spectacular, although much more so at low tide. We stopped at one view we had noticed on the way up. There was also a spectacular sand spit that we couldnt see this time because of the high tide.





We listened to the boarding instructions and waited for the previous cat to return in the allocated berth. I swear, we must have looked like we knew what we were doing because no matter where we stood, so many came up to us asking if they were in the right place. I had my holiday face on but clearly not enough! The cat arrived and we moved (fwd portside) to where we thought it would be boarding, whilst others stayed at the aft (see what I am doing here ) Sure enough the gangway landed at our feet and we were first on. Not that it was the least bit crowded but we chuckled anyway.

Trip to Fitzroy Island was around 45 minutes under smooth seas. We could see the other cats doing the usual snorkelling trip at nearby reef pontoons.

We bought ourselves a boat (nah, I can dream).



As we were doing the whale watching trip we were told to stay onboard and a few of us did so whilst more people boarded. We then spent the next 90 minutes looking aimlessly and fruitlessly for the sign of a water spout. We had already been told the last sighting was a week ago. Oh. Didnt mention that when we booked. And what did we see? Nada. Zilch. Big fat zero. Not even a fricken bird. So we returned. Everyone was rather like, what the heck did we do that for getting blown around for 90 minutes trying to see something and they really knew that was going to be the case. Apologetic? So sorry? What a shame? Nah. Just mind your step as you get off. Needless to say the group wasnt a happy bunch of campers as we disembarked. Not their fault of course, but just an acknowledgement of it might have been nice. It wasnt even a pleasant trip as we went full bore out to sea and back. In the wind at the back of the cat.

Anyways, moving on, we had planned to do some paddle boarding. Unfortunately by the time we had finished the whale non sightseeing trip, the winds had turned northerly enough to halt that plan. So we bought a packet of chips and two corona beers and sat at the bar and drank. Just the two beers though. Our trip was to return at 4 so we whiled away the two hours laughing at our day as we had another 45 minute trip back on the cat and another 90 minute drive to get back to the Hotel.

Returned back, had a quick refresh then off to Macrossan Street for a really good meal at the pub (barramundi, fresh, what a treat) then a quick watch of Bold Type on Stan streaming, then sleep.