Qantaslink Cairns-Weipa

This morning after arriving at Cairns airport from Brisbane, I checked in online for my Qantaslink Cairns-Weipa flight. QantasLink services the smaller communities such as Longreach, Emerald, Weipa and Hervey Bay. Many of the mining towns rely on QantasLink to ferry the miners to and from major cities. Without QantasLink mining companies would find it very difficult to recruit employees to live in these remote areas within Australia.

A QantasLink Dash 8-400 can carry up to 74 passengers with one toilet up the front of the plane. Being of small build, I find the QantasLink Dash 8 aircraft very comfortable and quaint. There is limited overhead space and some normal size carryon luggage must be checked in. When I was proceeding through the boarding gate, I was told my cabin luggage was too large. The attendant tagged my luggage, gave me a receipt and instructed me to leave my luggage at the bottom of the aeroplane stairs. Oversized cabin luggage is then placed inside the cargo hold and collected at the bottom of the stairs on arrival.

The plane was a little over half full with two female flight attendants in attendance. Angela, a mature aged crew member was very friendly and well groomed.

Being only an hour and ten minute flight, I was served a complimentary snack box consisting of a small multigrain roll with roast beef and pickles, Mount Franklin water – 110 ml, 3 Emu Bottom Water crackers, Picon cream cheese and a mini Cadbury Dairy Milk bar. The crew offered tea, coffee, soft drink and water from the cart twice during the flight.

Qantas Magazine – Cuba Article

There is no inflight entertainment (hardly necessary on these short flights) however the Qantas monthly Magazine is an interesting read. The October issue has an interesting article on Cuba – titled “Cuba turns it on”. Last year, I had a two week holiday in Cuba and loved every minute. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Cubans are friendly people with beautiful broad, beaming smiles. They love a rum or ten and know how to party and dance. The streets of Havana are filled with music, sexy salsa dancers and old vintage cars. In Cuba music is everything, music is happiness.

The women are very curvaceous with large busts and equally large round bottoms. Cigar smoking is prominent everywhere even the older women indulge. Cuban women dress in vibrant coloured “stretch” fabrics which highlight the curves they are so proud of. They accessorise with colourful scarves tied around their heads and wear large chunky jewellery. Cuba is a place worth visiting before the embargo is totally lifted.

Overlooking Weipa

Descending in to Weipa was very picturesque although a little bumpy…the old tummy did some rising and falling! The big loop around was an awesome view of the mining areas in Weipa – beautiful rich red Australian soil.

Carousel 1 Weipa Airport Collection Point 

Another perfect landing…and on time.

This is my first visit to Weipa and I am very excited…..

Weipa Australia

To be continued…….

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