We set out on our long trip to Australia early on Saturday morning, and after a panic with tight connecting flights and lots of departure tax (!) we finally made it to Australia. We landed in Cairns and headed straight for a few hours sleep after being awake for over 30 hours!

The next day we had a full day exploring Cairns, which is really nice, very laid back, lots of shops, restaurants and wine bars. Very different to Asia, a lot slower and more relaxed.

After a busy of shopping we went to make some jewellery (Laura Crawshaw, your birthday present will be sent back with Rob, made with my own loving hands!!). Then after a lovely dinner we ducked into Johnno's bar, to get out of the rain. So we had the obligatory "Bundy" and coke (Bunderberg Rum from Australia)...then after another, we ended up staying for the toad races! We actually entered our own toad in the race, which we named Sheila! After a little bit of cheating Sheila won the race and was entered into the final! Holly then got picked to compete in the fashion show; where she had to dress up in a ridiculous costume (see photos). Laura managed to drum up support from the crowd to cheer for Holly and none of the other contestants, so that Holly won, hands down! Holly won a goodie bag, which included a tiara, tea bags, toilet roll, ketchup, pasta, a record, ginger beer, bird flu mask and a few other bits and pieces! All very useful stuff! It was then time for the Toad Race final. Laura had to choose a toad out of the bucket and then after the race began follow her toad with a party blower to get it jump in the right direction....and she won, good old Shelia!! Laura won a trip to the crocodile river cruise! So after a big of a boogie and plenty of Bundy and Cokes we fell into bed at 2.30am, after our 'quick drink'.