Hey hey, well we finally got to Oz - had a bit of a manic three days in Cairns and saw some amazing things, I really didn't realise Cairns was so green, but I suppose it is surrounded by rainforest!

Right well here goes: On the first day here we went to Kuranda Rainforest town. We got the skyride in the pic over the rainforest and mountains to a few stop points were the views were absolutely breathtaking (do have pics but can't upload them on this comp!!) Anyway we went across the Bossman River where there is suppose to be Salt water Croc's I got all excited and spent about half an hour searching out the window - Steve Erwin styley - only to be terribly disappointed - guess I won't make the next crocodile hunter!! In fact it wasn't just croc's I didn't see there was so exciting wildlife at all, I was hoping for some enormous snakes or killer spiders, I think the only things I saw was lizards and a few butterflys - ooohhhh terrrifying!!!

Anyways we got the scenic train back and the scenery was absolutley breathtaking, loads of waterfalls and moutains more what I expected from New Zealand than Oz but it's always good to be surprised!!

The second day we went to the outer reef and did some diving - I saw my first turtle wahoo and swam right over the top of it - I was so excited (god i'm so sad!!) The reef wasn't at all what I had expected, I thought it was going to be really bright and vibrant and overflowing with fish, but in reality quite a lot of it was dead, I guess all the tourists really are taking their toll!! Note to everyone don't go on a sailing boat with a hangover!! We had a big nite out the night before with some people we met in Bali all good fun until you realise your diving the next day!!!! ooopps!!!

The last day in Cairns we went to Cape Tribulation - a beautful place but there really is only so much rainfirst you can look at especially when you haven't seen anything exciting!! I think you can safely say by this point I was looking forward to moving down the coast.

Cape Tribulation itself was lovely described as where 'the rainforest meets the sea' it definately lived upto it's reputation. We went on a salt water croc cruise here and my hopes where resored to finding some scary wildlife, Jen the crocodile hunter part two, and guess what ................once again I saw absolutley nothing!!! Well actually that is a bit of a lie I saw some sleeping bats ooohhhhh!!! I must be the most unlucky wildlife hunter ever!! On the way back we stopped at Mossman Gorge (pretty much just a river flowing through a load of rocks) but you were allowed to swim here and after a day on the little bus it was a welcome delight! We also stopped at Port Douglas - this town had 42 flavours of ice cream - how cool is that?! They had this bright rainbow coloured one it tasted mildly like vanilla but it looked very exciting!

wow i've waffled on loads about Cairns I must have enjoyed it!! Was a really lovely place and I will make sure I get some of the pics placed up here soon cos the veiws where fantastic

oh forgot to say the hostel we stayed in was really nice and guess what you got free dinners - get in - this made for a very happy Jen!!! Oh totally forgot to tell you about the goldfish racing - very funny!!