Train travel in Australia can be luxurious. It can be a pleasant 24-hour trip from Brisbane to Cairns. Or, it can be something less. I wasn’t able to book a railbed seat on the trip (apparently I needed to book that a couple of months in advance), so I had what I heard referred to as a “sitter” seat. This was in the back of the train, not necessarily a bad thing since there is far, far fewer people passing to and fro. And, since I was a last-second booking on the train, I think I got the very last seat available – and not a window seat.
For the first six hours or so, it wasn’t terrible. Although the seat didn’t recline as far as the Amtrack seat I had years ago when I railed from Reno to a race in Colorado and back, it does recline a bit more than that of a typical airline seat. The padding level was minimal for an assless person though. Over the course of the next 18 hours, a lack of padding got to me. I spent a lot of time in the club car where the seats were more comfortable and the coffee decent and at a decent price: $2.50 A ($1.80 USD) for an 8 oz cup. Compared to the prices in Briz ($3.00 for about 4 oz), that’s a fantastic deal. Also, a personal pizza was $9.00 A.
The stewards were militant about falling asleep or even reclining across the bench seat in the club car though. Nobody in the place, and I was harangued to sit up. Took me back to my imagined time dealing with the persecutions of Sister Mary Elephant at Our Lady of Perpetual Torture Catholic School.
It wasn’t as bad as a long flight though, since I was able to get up and walk around when I wanted. And I did. A lot. It just meant that I wouldn’t get a lot (read: no) sleep. The train also took about 6 hours longer than the equivalent bus trip. That was odd. I think if I am to go the other way and take land transportation back south, I will take a bus instead. I can ensure I get a window seat that will allow me to lean and look, and buses stop periodically that allow me to get out and move. That is, if I don’t take a plane. And, I’ll bring snacks
Uber in Cairns was cheaper than Briz by a lot as well. $8 for a ride from the train station to the hostel, where I was greeted with $7 A ($5 USD)pints of beer. Coral Sea IPA was my choice. It may not be a World Gold medal winner, but I liked it, and for the price it was excellent. Found my way afterward to a Thai restaurant that had Chili Basil fried rice. Damn, but that was good! After dinner I made my way to the sea. I felt the obligation to put my feet in the water, and, after reading the sign, and carefully eyeballing the area, I kicked off my flips, trotted from the paved path the fifteen feet to the sand, and quickly got them wet and moved back up. No crocs for this guy.
Today is going to be settling in and getting a tour or two set up. I think I will extend my stay at the hostel for a week. First night went well, and the price is good. Even with my current room being on the first floor adjacent to the bar and pool, and the takeoff path for the airport directly overhead, I slept like a dead thing.
For the first six hours or so, it wasn’t terrible. Although the seat didn’t recline as far as the Amtrack seat I had years ago when I railed from Reno to a race in Colorado and back, it does recline a bit more than that of a typical airline seat. The padding level was minimal for an assless person though. Over the course of the next 18 hours, a lack of padding got to me. I spent a lot of time in the club car where the seats were more comfortable and the coffee decent and at a decent price: $2.50 A ($1.80 USD) for an 8 oz cup. Compared to the prices in Briz ($3.00 for about 4 oz), that’s a fantastic deal. Also, a personal pizza was $9.00 A.
The stewards were militant about falling asleep or even reclining across the bench seat in the club car though. Nobody in the place, and I was harangued to sit up. Took me back to my imagined time dealing with the persecutions of Sister Mary Elephant at Our Lady of Perpetual Torture Catholic School.
It wasn’t as bad as a long flight though, since I was able to get up and walk around when I wanted. And I did. A lot. It just meant that I wouldn’t get a lot (read: no) sleep. The train also took about 6 hours longer than the equivalent bus trip. That was odd. I think if I am to go the other way and take land transportation back south, I will take a bus instead. I can ensure I get a window seat that will allow me to lean and look, and buses stop periodically that allow me to get out and move. That is, if I don’t take a plane. And, I’ll bring snacks
Uber in Cairns was cheaper than Briz by a lot as well. $8 for a ride from the train station to the hostel, where I was greeted with $7 A ($5 USD)pints of beer. Coral Sea IPA was my choice. It may not be a World Gold medal winner, but I liked it, and for the price it was excellent. Found my way afterward to a Thai restaurant that had Chili Basil fried rice. Damn, but that was good! After dinner I made my way to the sea. I felt the obligation to put my feet in the water, and, after reading the sign, and carefully eyeballing the area, I kicked off my flips, trotted from the paved path the fifteen feet to the sand, and quickly got them wet and moved back up. No crocs for this guy.
Today is going to be settling in and getting a tour or two set up. I think I will extend my stay at the hostel for a week. First night went well, and the price is good. Even with my current room being on the first floor adjacent to the bar and pool, and the takeoff path for the airport directly overhead, I slept like a dead thing.
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