Agincourt Beachfront Apartments Clifton Beach Cairns

... The sea had calmed down a little in the afternoon which made it easier to snorkel but also film all the pretty fishes. We saw all sorts including true Clown Fish with 3 white stripes not the fake ones that have 2 or 1. Different coloured Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, Trigger Fish and Butterfly Fish to name just a few. Oh I spotted another reef shark that was really deep and I made sure LJ didn't spot him this time around. So after a wicked day exploring the Great ...

This morning I flew to Cairns in Queensland. Cairns is a two hour flight north of Sydney and is the diving capitol of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. I plan on taking it easy here for a couple of days until I head out for my dive trip on ...

... into the city we hoped off somewhere and wandered around and bought some supplies from Woolworth's including Nappies for James which was a bit weird. We did a lot of window shopping which we are getting good at and we picked up loads of brochures for different trips to do in the next few days hopefully when the weather picks up, since we've got here its been gorgeous sunshine one minute and then emptying down the next. After that we hopped ...

... with a wallabie and Ivo finally lured a Dingo out of its cool and shadowy hiding place by doing some impressive wolf howling ... Woooohoooooooooo! Wrhafff!<br><br>We have now just arrived in Cairns and booked ourselves on a 5 day diving course which includes a few nights sleeping on a luxury vessel on the Great Barrier Reef. In addition we are also preparing for the arrival of Ivo's parents. We'll tell you all about it once we are back! <br><br>Cheerio!<br><br>Ivo &amp; Annemieke

... as regards a ressie! This time italian on the front - usual stroppy italian waiter - not very attentive then looks hurt when he doesn't get a tip ! Nice walk along the sea front for a nightcap then back to watch to boats meandering at the marina. On to Mission Beach tomorrow after a good brekkie to set us up for the day. 29 degrees its meant to be!

... the time discussing the amount of aboriginals (abbo's) there were in Cairns and why they all seem to be so drunk all the time. Apparently they cant take the sugar in the alcohol as there bodies arent used to it so they get drunk really easily and stay drunk for days. At one point Natalie had a blonde moment and said they were a strange 'species' not thinking what she had said which put us all in to a laughing fit. (shes a teesider from up north so ill let her off). <br ...

... a half trainride back to Cairns. the Kuranda Scenic Railway is quite historic and holds much meaning and pride for the locals. it was originally built during the area's Gold Rush of the late 1800's but was later used for transporting goods and timber down the mountain from Kuranda to Cairns and Smithfield. the conditions the workers dealt with to build the track (and the 15 tunnels through the mountain!) were some of the harshest in the world and many men ...

... an hour - not absolute rubbish - just fairly rubbish. Sniffed up .... by a dog. As were several old English women who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience - already their holiday was a success. The Australians take their immigration, quarantine, customs - very seriously. In fact more seriously than the Americans - and yet - having been sniffed up by guard dogs (the first which actually stopped at me and made me **** myself - thankfully was only ...

... much of the views, meant to be some of the best in the world. The carriage that we are in has faulty brakes and so we, along with the rest of the passengers spend the next hour crammed into the front carriage, much to the dismay of a Japanese tour guide! We do get a refund several weeks later after complaining. Once back in Cairns we go for a swim in the lagoon, a man-made swimming pool on the edge of the beach. It is full of tourists and locals, many enjoying ...

... was that for the elusive and unique creatures. We headed back to Cairns, very pleased with a great day out.<br><br>Tomorrow - Brisbane awaits. This is mainly due to an itinerary cock-up which means we have to fly from Brisbane to Singapore - its the fault of STA travel but we should have checked the details so we have ourselves to blame I guess. But its no biggie, a quick trip on jetstar tomorrow and a few days in Brisbane before we leave for our adventures in Asia<br>