We landed safely in Cairns and were sorry to see driving rain, it is supposed to be the DRY season!! After a bit of a problem, ie nobody there, we collected our car from Hertz. The lady seemed very pleasant but conned us over insurance, one way fee, etc, etc so won't be using Hertz again. The car is lovely though, a Rav 4 AWD. We drove into Cairns which is only a few minutes away from the airport. Unfortunately we went to the wrong Rydges hotel first and unloaded the luggage before realising our mistake ... in the driving rain, of course! Eventually found the right place and checked in. Our room was big which as great, but quite tired and old looking like the hotel in general. When I say old, if I say the sound system was a cassette player you will know what I mean!

After a bit of a sleep we wandered along (in the rain) to the Esplanade. Walking along by the sea we were thrilled to sea a group of pelicans on the beach. We hadn't realised but this is the Ironman weekend in Cairns and everywhere is completely taken over by this event. Check-in, Drop-out, shops, everything Iron Man and, of course, a multitude of lycra clad individuals of all shapes and sizes roaming around. We stopped at Pie Face to get an Aussie Pie for our lunch and then went over to the Reef Terminal to check starting point for tomorrow's boat trip. The rain became so severe that we had to take shelter in an Iron Man tent! Even with brollies we were soaked through.

We frequented the Rattle and Hum for red wine. Every time we planned to leave the rain came down in torrents so we had to have another glass! Eventually left, picked up some wine in a bottle shop and made it vey soggily back to the hotel for a well deserved sleep.