Our flight to Gold Coast via Air Asia X was at 9.40 pm and we meet at the airport around 5 p.m.. Checking in the luggage, have dinner and pray and off we go. I remember I actually slept the whole way through the flight (that was the purpose of taking red-eye) but I think Syima did ordered some food while onboard. We pick the Quiet Zone seats which are perfect to sleep in.

Arrived Gold Coast Airport as schedule at 7.50 a.m. We get through immigration – Feeza was selected randomly by an immigration officer where they asked everything about the trip. Luckily I usually pack all the itinerary in a clear folder. The luggage system however is very slow. We spent a lot of time to wait for the luggage.

Off we go to customs- I get my list prepared and ready. I guess it was our lucky day since the officer did not even check our luggage. We were directed to the green lane and out to the arrival hall.

I straight away went to the Europcar counter to get the keys and settle the car rental before we arrive in the parking lot to pick up the car. They give out a code to be punch in at the exit barrier. The first place we visit this very morning is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It was near the airport actually and very easy to locate.

Parking was ample with a flat rate of AUD5-8. The first station we stopped was the Koala Picture station. We ended up buying 3 photos – 1 each of us with the koalas. They have a package if you buy 3 pictures, the price is AUD30 compared to AUD15 for a single picture. Okay, lah. Kat Malaysia mana ada Kangaroo dengan Koala. Rugi tak ambil gambar puas2.

The koala’s fur are a bit rough and they are quite heavy though for a small size. The rangers will instruct you on how to handle these cuties. We then went to the Kangaroo enclosure – twice! First time, the kangaroo herd ran off towards the shade eliminating our chance of holding them. The second time we went there they were chilling on the lawn. Their huge but very soft and fluffy and surprisingly tamed – duh, they are used to people touching them.

We were hit by a couple of rain shower while inside the Sanctuary. We took shade in one of the shops and even while watching a show. We watch the Farm Show where you can see the cowboy shaved off the lamb’s fur. It was quite entertaining, we are stuck in the middle of a huge tourist group. We roam around the sanctuary by using the train. The park is huge so boarding the train is a bonus. I must say that eventhough the crowd seems huge but there are not one time we felt ‘stuck’ or ‘cramp’ inside the park.

We had fish and chips for lunch in the sanctuary. The price was okay for a tourist attraction place, around AUD11. We even get to perform our prayers in the sanctuary. They provide a prayer room or space near the koala enclosure. But yeah, there is no lights, no fan- basically nothing, just wooden floor and roof. It was poorly maintained. Thankfully we bought our travel sajadah along so we don’t have to sujud on leaves and dirt on the carpet.

We left the sanctuary by 5.00 p.m towards Brisbane Airport because we are flying to Cairns. It took about one hour to reach here. The drive in Australia is pleasant but watch out for the speed limits. We passed one toll near the Brisbane exit – not an actual toll booth, more like a bridge with metal beams. As we have pre-purchased our parking spot, we directly went to the parking. Here’s the fun part. In order to get in the parking, you have to insert your credit card (use to made booking) inside the slot. Then walla, it opens! Abaikan kejakunan di situ. Tau jakun sebab masa order makanan diorang bagi device macam smart tag bila makanan siap dia ring. Kawan2 yang dah pergi Aussie mesti rasa kitorang mcm rusa masuk bandar kan? Hahaha, biarlah.

We hastily pack our backpack and straight away went to the terminal. Brisbane Airport is small. It was almost the same size as our local airports – heck our local airports are bigger. The restaurants are upstairs near the boarding gate so you have to passed through security to get to the restaurant (don’t worry you can pass through even you are not a passenger). You can send or fetch your loved ones right to the gate. Cool right?

Well an extra security measure was that they swab your bags inside and out and yourself to test for drug substance. That is how strict they are in terms of drug abuse. The good part, they always inform you what the procedure is for.

Sistem airport dekat Aussie memang lain daripada Europe or Malaysia. Kita boleh masuk je terminal even kita boleh hantar orang sampai ke boarding gate! Special kan? Nak amek org pun sama. Tapi semua orang kena lalu scanner2 dengan drug swab tu la, even bukan nak fly.

Jeststar cabin is larger than our Air Asia. They also provide food and drinks that you can buy while onboard. But all of us were sleeping the entire journey. We arrived Cairns Airport at 12 a.m. Yes, midnight and we manage to get the last shuttle to the Cairns city center. They dropped us at Bellview Motel and we checked in. The night staff here are pretty weird and kinda strict for no purpose. Yikes.  AUD10 was charged per key. So, 3 pax, we get 3 keys.

And we were told the devastating news – our Great Barrief Reef trip was cancelled due to Cyclone Nathan. I was about to cry at the counter. Yes, it was raining with strong winds all night long. No GBR operators are operating tomorrow. We went up our room, pray for the best and sleep with a broken heart. I even do a solat hajat for the weather to cleared up.

Nak tau, masa kitorang tengah test kunci pintu tetiba tombol pintu tercabut >.<. Kelam kabut la takut sebab kena bayar, lagipun motel ni dah lama sangat. Nasib baik dapat di godeh godeh sampai betul balik.


Next post: Australia - Cairns Day 2