We make own way to the airport. It was a $45 taxi ride and check-in at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Terminal 2 for:
QANTAS
QF 5938
Depart Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 11:40am
Arrive Cairns Airport Wednesday 25 February 2015 at 1:45pm
We tried checking in at Qantas but an attendant said we were booked on Jetstar. We have flown them once before and were not impressed. We crossed to another terminal and got checked in.
We are allowed 23 kg in luggage and John was right on and mine was 13 kg.
Good day for travel as it is pouring rain.
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No lounge availability for domestic so we went to McDonald's for breakfast (don't judge us) it was good and it had been forever since we had been in one.
We go to the gate and then everyone is told they must line up to have their carryon weighed. Great customer experience, couldn't we do this at check in? I guess they worry people are going to buy so much.
Cost $50 for my camera bag to be checked.
Some of the others (Lunar New Year travellers) were weighing one bag at a time, switching contents and taking next bag up. Can't blame them!
Once on board we are settled in the middle and window seat. The attendant then tells us he has a problem, seems the 2 rows of exit seats need to be changed as no one could speak English that was seated so he selected a bunch of us to relocate, bonus!!
You can't even get a glass of water without paying on JetStar.
Transfer from Cairns Airport to Pacific International Hotel Cairns.
Transfer Type: Seat in Coach
Pick up: 1:45pm
Drop off: 2:15pm
We wandered looking for our transfer and finally asked a volunteer who said we weren't the only ones waiting and they had called the company to find out where they were.
Cairns is the heart of the Tropical North and is your gateway to some of the best scenery in Australia.
Founded in 1876 as the port for inland gold fields, Cairns has matured from a flighty frontier town to a friendly international gateway and has become the most welcoming of all Queensland cities. The Cairns region is internationally recognized for world class attractions, superb natural features and friendly north Queensland hospitality. The city is a delightful blend of colonial architecture, ranging from grand public and commercial buildings to wooden houses built in the distinctive north Queensland style. Cairns is the focal point for the magnificent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforests. To the west are the lush Atherton Tablelands and the outback plains and gorges of the gulf savannah.
Pacific International Hotel Cairns
45 Esplanade,
Cairns QLD 4870
The Pacific International Cairns is the best location in Cairns - ideal for visitors who wish to
explore and enjoy all the attractions Cairns has to offer. The Esplanade Lagoon and Parklands,
the Sea Port, the Reef Fleet Terminal, the Reef Casino, Art Galleries, shopping and dining are
situated right at the hotel's front door. The Hotel also has the onsite Bushfire Restaurant and
Sugarcane Rhumbar.
The hotel is very central, the hotel itself is about 3 star. Basic room and furniture but we have a balcony.
View from our balcony.
Once settled we are on our own to explore.
We head to the water and are amazed by the infinity pool going into the ocean.
We were going to take an impulsive helicopter ride but at $400 per person for thirty minutes I said no.
Strolling along the boardwalk.
We picked up some beer and headed back to the hotel before dinner.
For dinner we chose a steak house, Waterbar and Grill, a five minute walk away in the Shangri La Hotel.
The food was great, service was average as it seems to be here in Australia, no one tips so perhaps that is the cause. For example, we ordered red wine and got white wine glasses but another table got proper glasses.
The decorations in the lobby are quite eye catching!
ReplyDeleteAs to McDonald's for breakfast, well, the breakfasts seem to be somewhat better than what's available the rest of the day, and when in a hurry, they'll do.