More Than Just Carsick Near Cairns

Regarding “Wonders Down Under,” by Jerry V. Haines (Jan. 20): Haines is lucky that he only got carsick on his outing to the Great Barrier Reef.

On our trip last year aboard a catamaran operated by Quicksilver Connections, we wound up on choppy seas two hours from the mainland with inadequate warning. The ship and the pontoon platform bounced their passengers for several hours before the two-hour return to Port Douglas. Under those conditions, the Great Barrier Reef was clouded and uncomfortable.

My suggestion for reef experiences is to go to an island to enjoy snorkeling and diving from a terra-firma base. Or check with the tour group that runs the boats to learn about conditions before you leave, or the day will be wasted.

We found Cairns lackluster and were grateful we were booked in Palm Cove, halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas. Near our hotel was Wild World, an animal park where you can see most of the native Australian animals and birds, hand-feed kangaroos and lorikeets and have your photo taken holding a koala. It was more fun than that hot trip on the Kuranda Railroad with no promise of wildlife sightings. The Daintree forest is also nearby, with fascinating tours of rain forests and all sorts of critters.

DELORIS ST. JOHN

Laguna Niguel