Tuesday 1 Dec 2009
Cairns, Australia
Cairns
Arrived in Cairns @ 9:50am and were checked into the hotel by 12pm. We have a view of the Coral Sea (if you hang over the veranda). Hot, Hot, Hot ! About 90-92 degrees. We immediately found the Laundromat and did a couple of loads of clothes (we're packing light on this part of our trip so laundry day will be every 5 - 6 days).
Got the necessities out of the way and grabbed a bite and headed for Cairns' version of Outlet Stores. Small by comparison but the prices were much closer to the US. We both came out with at least 1 item. Tony scored some ½ price, last pair, exactly his size, water sock type Crocs so he's a happy camper.
We strolled down the Esplanade to the boat docks and found the saltwater pool along the way (there really isn't a beach like we think of it so they have huge public saltwater pool - lots of shallow area for tiny kids and lots of adults just lounging to keep cool.
We took a Sunset Cruise (1 free drink only - no meal) which was very nice and it was only $20/pp - a real bargain compared to what we've been shelling out for that type of thing. We snapped a few photos of the sunset and then were gifted with the full moon rising. Doesn't get much better than that !
Heading back to our hotel we noticed a lot of activity in the sky - I swore it was birds, Tony swore they were bats... He was right - hundreds of bats (as big as birds) flying from tree to tree.
We wandered through the night market - lots of souvenir junk and a whole row of vendors hocking "Chinese" style massages - neck, shoulder, foot and leg reflexology massages. Prices were certainly right - $15/40 minutes. Didn't buckle under the sales pressure but may consider going back after a few days of sightseeing. We then grabbed dinner @ Outback Jack's which is right across the street from our hotel. We shared a plate of ribs and salad which was just the right amount of food.
We booked a Great Barrier Reef trip for Wednesday so it's up early and back to the boat docks.
Look for photos under Cairns.