Cairns

After an amazing week away to exciting and wondrous places, we had the final weekend of our trip in Cairns. The boat bought us into dock, and we we able to walk to our hotel for the next two nights, to the Pacific International. Probably the least impressive hotel of our trip, and yet right where we wanted to be.

After check in, we wandered down the Esplanade, and found a spot for dinner, and took in the crowds and kids about dressed up for a big night out. We walked over to The Pier to check out the places to be, but ended up at the Reef Casino watching the footy, after our massive day.

Waking up to a crazy temperature day of 30C, we had our buffet breakfast before walking through town, to seek refuge in the main shopping centre, for some retail therapy. Hiding out here for the afternoon, we eventually ran out of shopping patience, and steeled ourselves for the walk back...with the promise of a swim in the hotel pool.

As the sun went down, we got ready for a big night out, with the first mission being finding coverage of the footy being played on the other side of the country, whilst Brisbane was playing AFL, and both types of rugby was being played. We thought we were on a winner in a pub near the shopping complex in the heart of town...only to be disappointed as the game was about to start. A mad dash back to the Casino, we found the Hawthorn v West Coast game, and settled in.

Many, many beers later, a small entourage, and heavy heart at the Hawks loss, we were led by a local to a bar called Gillians, which he said was the place to be on a Saturday night. A massive backpackers bar, more beers, loads of people....that'll do! And like most in the world on this Saturday night out, we managed to have a dance to Michael Jackson, marking his death this week.

Buffet breakfast the next morning, we requested a late check-out so that we could spend the last hours of our winter escape week away in the hotel pool, soaking in the sun. Perfect!

Getting all packed up to go out to the airport, we received a text to say our flight was delayed by a few hours. I had just put the double pegs on for flying! More time in this heat!!?? Filling time, we went to the docks to check out the US Navy ship which pulled into shore for a week stay....just as we were leaving.