FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST
Domestic Exchange to Cairns, Qld., Australia

5 - 10 June, 2008

beach

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REPORT FROM EXCHANGE DIRECTOR HENK

The Cairns Domestic exchange was a great success and was enjoyed by all. Twelve ambassadors participated and ten of us met at the Robina Railway Station at 7.53am to travel to Brisbane Airport. The only hiccup occurred at the start of our journey, the Cairns flight departed Brisbane two hours late due to mechanical problems with the plane. Fortunately our hosts were very patient and were still at the Cairns airport to greet us. That night we were treated to a wonderful welcome potluck dinner at Jim Truscott's home.

gardens
Jim's beautiful tropical garden

group gardens

On Friday we visited some of the best local attractions including the magnificent botanical gardens and the Royal Flying Doctors Visitor Centre.

gardens

boys - gardens girls - gardens

bush bush

gardens gardens

gardens gardens

Saturday was a major highlight, a Food Trail Bus Tour on the Atherton Table Land via Kuranda. There was significant food and wine sampling had by all. Visits included a coffee plantation, fruit wineries and a Dairy Farm, which operated a restaurant, cheese making factory and cheese retail outlet. We also visited the Tolga Hotel, a typical but beautiful country pub at which we were treated to a beautiful seafood and fruit luncheon.

bus anthill

group curtain fig tree

kuranda macadamia nut farm

snake demo python snake

winery winery

cheese factory cheese factory

On Sunday our hosts drove us to Port Douglas to show off the very attractive north part of our state. We visited the museum courthouse to discover the detail of an historic murder trial and then shopped at leisure at the local market. We returned to Cairns via the beautiful Mossman Gorge.

port douglas

port douglas

courthouse mossman gorge

The following day, Monday was a free day to spend time with our hosts on a variety of activities. Most hosts and ambassadors chose to dine that night at a yacht club called Yorkey's Knob, on a large deck area with a lovely outlook to their marina.

Sadly, the final farewell gathering was held on Tuesday on the beautiful Cairns Foreshore parklands. This took place in the form of a BBQ accompanied by a very nice spread of various fruits. Particular highlights on the food menu were Crocodile and Kangaroo meat sausages. Cairns Club President, Bernie Treston and Exchange Director, Robyn George spoke final farewell words. We expressed particular appreciation of the substantial work done and effort made by Robyn and her partner Jim to make this a most memorable and enjoyable exchange.

Although there were many highlights to this exchange, the most important one was that the bonds of friendship between the Cairns Club members and our Gold Coast Club members have strengthened significantly.

Henk Zervaas     Exchange Director

Another Great Week of Fun and Friendship

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