CAIRNS and PORT DOUGLAS
Trip Start
Jan 02, 2007
1
15
56
Trip End
Apr 09, 2007
QUEENSLAND,
Australia
Monday, January 22, 2007
CAIRNS (GMT+10)
Touched down in Cairns (or, as you have to say if you don't want the Aussies laughing at you, "Caans!") at about 09.00 and called Pete (my sis's feller) for directions to his place in Port Douglas. I booked a bus ticket, gave Pete's address and, check this out, he drove into the estate and dropped me right at the end of Pete's driveway! The bleedin' 16A to Rathfarnham never did that!
Pete has this amazing house just beside the beach in Port Douglas. Having showed me around the area we headed into town for a couple of fruit smoothies and a cuppa coffee. I fell in love with the place straight away. Port is one of those places that has everything that you're ever going to want to do available on your doorstep, but still seems to hold onto that small town charm. Having strolled around town we headed to Paradise Car Rentals where I met Danny and got myself a sweet deal on a car for the next week.
That evening Pete cooked an amazing dinner and we drank a few beers by the pool, jumping in for a dip anytime the temperature required us to do so. There was a bit of rain that evening - not like Irish rain though. No need to run indoors and wrap up or go get your brolly. No, this rain is warm. Kinda like having a hot shower at home. It was an amazing experience lying in the pool while the rain poured down and the only thing to worry about was how long it would take to master the fine art of floating on a noodle - awsome!
On Tuesday I drove to the Mossman Gorge and spent a few hours swimming and walking through the rainforest before heading back to Port to meet Pete and going to the local Taverna for dinner and a few beers.
In Port I was formally introduced to "The Assassin!", a lethal combination of vodka and fruit juices. If you're going to visit Pete, be aware that with the assassin, once you start, you just can't stop!
Comments
assasin
Did Pete fail to mention that I invented 'the asassin'? Well I did so you've me to blame!