So my recent trip to Far North Queensland was absolutely fantastic. People are so happy relaxed and friendly there, a difference from Brisbane but nonetheless people here are still wonderful. The trip was great fun, came across other seasoned travellers and people my age just looking for the next adventure. Turns out that at Gilligan's in Cairns, I ended up meeting two of my neighbours in Brisbane, and evne funnier is that I had met them before but didn't recognise them. The effects of over-travelling;) Hehe. Meet too many people to remember sometimes. But still, it is pretty funny. I had a great time though, so much that I am ready to strap that backpack on for the next adventure. Southeast Asia, Everest North Base Camp and then onto Europe to visit my family, after that I will swing by FL where my brother and sister and best friend live, just before makign my way to be a bridesmaid in my two wonderful friends' wedding, then finally returning to Australia. Long trip but I want more than anythign to do it. I plan on doing a volunteer placement in Southeast Asia, Chiang Mai, Thailand to be exact, always wanted to do it and I volunteer here in Australia so why not experience and contribute in another country. We will have to wait and see what happens, but like anyone else travelling, I am definatrely concerned about funds, and unluckily for me, Austraia taxes you 40-50% on your second job, how badly does that suck?? I am not quite sure the reasoning, but my reasoning is that I need money to eat and live and they want to tax me half my wages for working extra hours to make ends meet? Doesn't make sense, especially when there is an abundance of jobs available. It may have to do with Australia's ever increasing unemployment rate... Oh well. Global economy, politics and finances will always be an issue that can be discussed far too much..!

Back to my trip, I started out in Cairns with two nights accomodation booked and decided to just wing it when I got there, even just flying into Cairns was great, I remember when I had to connect through Cairns to get to Hong Kong from Brisbane and what a beautiful view of the Great Barrier Reef I got from the plane. So much that I just wanted to stay there, Hong Kong was such an experience though, did you know Mong Kok (area of HK) is the most densely populated area (psm) in the world? One thign I loved about HK is all the shopping! Two of my hotels had a shopping mall connected to them!! How crazy is that?? People were super friendly too, I ran out of battery on my phone one day and I took it in to the 7/11 and for next to nothing they charged my phone for me on this machine, which was a lifesaver considering I forgot my phone charger in one of the hotels just before heading over to Macau. Macau was another incredible experience, with revenues already surpassing those of Vegas and the nightlife alone was so much fun. They seem to love Happy Hour there too, but it usually lasts quite a few hours! Haha. Live bands and everything.
So once I got to Cairns, settle dinto my accomodation, and this Packpacker's was socool, there were computers on each floor, full stocked kitchens, tv rooms, then the huge nightclub and the casade by the swimming pool. It was a backpacker's hub and so alive, just the right thing when you are travelling on your own and want to meet people like you, who like to travel. From there on I started having my fun, sipping on cocktails by the pool and discovering the area around Cairns.
My favourites:

1) Cape Tribulation (amazing beaches and the reef is pretty cool from out there too! cheaper to access for someone on a budget!)
2) Daintree (go jungle surfing!!!)
3) Port Douglas (bit more ritzy, still not that expensive for a backpacker and very clean!)
4) Green Island (an hour's trip from Cairns)
5) Cairns

Even though there is an order of preference each place was it's own experience and had it's ups and downs. One funny moment was when everyone had been telling me about the backpacker's in Cape Tribulation's infamous spider: Penny. Terrified of the thoguht of this humungous spider, yet sunburnt and tired form the day, I nervously checked the surroundings before getting into bed, didn't feel like spooning with Penny, just yet ;) Hehe. So as I am closing my eyes about to get some beauty sleep, surely there she was, waiting for me, nestled in between some wooden planks a few meters up high and away from me. Of course I screamed, terrified. Only to take a closer took and realise that one devilish ackpacker thought he would get a brown marker and draw a spider onto the ceiling, good artist. I'll tell you that. But imagine my surprise in the morning when I am absolutely exhausted and can barely open my eyes (seriously, I was so tired I practically had to pull my eyelids open with my hands) only to realize cartoon Penny wasn't there anymore!;)

Turns out I hadn't fully woken up and cartoon Penny WAS there, but I don't think I have ever gotten out of bed as fast as I did that morning;)