Day 1 - the journey

I can't even work out how long we've been travelling for what with Time zones, stops in Dubai, missing whole days (where did the 8th go) but it feels like a long time.
We're officially beginning in Cairns but we've had some action already! Holly was violently frisked and then Clarkey was violently sick, I think it was the plane salmon.

About 2 hours ago, 4am Sydney time, I open the window to see if dawn was breaking. I was a little premature and found only a blissfully navy sky dotted with bright stars. A much as I contorted to get a better look I could not yet spot the southern cross. I recon so far I have managed 3-4 hrs sleep and holly slightly less.

So after being in transit for 31.5hrs ( not that we are counting) our transfer to Cairns is delayed; getting grumpy now!

Landed in Cairns 1pm local time to find Hotel Discovery. Very basic, not unlike a US motel like you see on TV. A quick nap (oops, 4hrs later) then we headed to Cairns.

Central Cairns is concrete and neon lights, lots of hostels and 'Rip Curl' like shops. On the sea front though the Esplanade is a different story. Vibrant, green and fresh, with a massive decorate Christ,as tree in the park centre. Odd to see that juxtaposed against the pale blue see and the pastel colours often fading sun .

We selected the ominously named "Raw Prawn" restaurant for dinner. Chicken, calamari, prawn and tuna skewers to start. Followed by Barramundi and chips for Holly and Threadfin Salad for Clarkey.

Exhausted, we returned to the hotel and were asleep by 8.30pm!