Southern Cross Cairns

Back in Cairns, and Lucas has scooted back to Melbourne for a few days. I'm left with swimming, massages and a golf lesson....tough life.

The weather was decent this time around in Cairns and we finally got out onto the reef. Lucas had his first dive, and I managed to let go of the boat and snorkel.

... I was quite stressed out. The waves were choppy and it was difficult to move around. On top of that, some ocean water ended up leaking into my mask and it was stinging my eyes. I returned back to the platform, got a smaller mask and decided to try again. The water was so rough that I felt like I was constantly swimming against it. So far, it wasn't quite the snorkelling experience I was hoping for.

Colin and I decided to take a ...

Left the lovely Paradise on the beach this morning early as we have to return the car to Cairns via dropping off suitcases at the Sheridan Plaza where we stayed on arrival in Oz. Walked and breakfasted for the last time around Cairns with a rather hot walk along the seafront back to the hotel for checking in around lunchtime. First thing - down to the pool to cool off then a nice ...

... a heart beat if I get the chance. Tonight a bunch of us went to the Night Markets. Cool little shops. I bought 8 shot glasses, I have my own collection now.

I met up with Lee at the Markets, he's the English guy I met at the woolshed. We walked down the esplanade and pier (I wish I could have done that in the sunlight, it looked really pretty) and then went for a drink. I was pretty tired so had to cut it short and head back to the hotel.

... because they had given him the pen upside down. The second one he got right but being that high up with that much adrenaline stuck in a small portion of the body is quite dangerous. We landed and I ended up accompanying Jon both on the ambulance and to the hospital. He is perfectly fine (he actually went skydiving today) but it most certainly was the most eventful plane ride I have ever been on!
The hotel we are staying at is pretty crazy. Everyone here is a backpacker right ...

... for a wander to the harbour and lagoon. Was really nice down there, but unfortunately cloudy! I basically sat around for a while though before going to check in.

When I checked in I was very impressed with the room. So much better than the last one. En suite bathroom, balcony and massive beds. Loved it. I had a chat with a couple of people in the room and they were really cool and from what they said Cairns sounded cool. I had another bit of a lie down, before some of the others ...

... semi-submersible vessel, that was very interesting. I got to know a very nice couple, and sat beside Ann on this trip, she and her husband are from LA. It was such a pity the water was so murky as the colours were brilliant but must be better when the weather is more settled. Now would you believe it ...... I went back to do some more snorkelling and stayed ...

... It is an experience that everyone should have at some point in their life. We're not built for swimming at depth - fish are - so it feels unnatural - but a bucket load of fun - getting up close to all sorts of fish and coral is amazing. After dive 2 we spot a shark - a reef shark - not liable to attack - but a 2 to 3 foot shark all the same - with the little round green eye - a mini Jaws. Over the course of the trip we ...

... there was an American marine who while in port from Iraq smashed the 18 minute mark and set the new time to beat: 12 minutes. Apparently he also was allowed to get up from his seat twice to go to the bathroom where he presumingly emptied his stomach. (The Australians are too often loose about such things.) Despite the obvious cheat he still was crowned champ.

I placed the order and told them that they were looking at the new record holder. The bartender smiled at my remark ...

(Originally published at http://www.troysgonewalkabout.com)
< br>It started raining just as I stepped out of the airport terminal and into the warm and humid Cairns afternoon. As the heavy drops fell from the menacingly grey clouds and splattered onto the warm bitumen, it filled the air with that certain aroma that is immediately noticeable but yet I can’t find the words to adequately describe. It always reminds me of being on the asphalt netball courts back in ...