Yesterday we flew to caines. We had to stop and change planes at Alice Springs (Ayers Rock) and so we got to see the great rock as the plane was coming into the airport. We would have gotten a better view if the airhostess's hadnt been so strict and insisted on us staying still in our seats while the plane was landind (I don't think they appreciated the fact that we probably wont gwet the chance to see it again and they get to see it every day) Landed in Caines about 6pm and found a cool hostell - and guess wat its only $2 more for a private room rather than a dorm so we're happy for the next couple of days at least. we've been told that it gets more pricey as we move down so we're enjoying the privacy while we can. Today we just looked around the city centre. I read in the lonely planet that caines is a "doing city" rather than a "seeing city" and they wern't wrong. But most poeple only stop at the city due to its location (the barrier reef). We've booked a 1 day tour tomorrow to take us to Cape Tribulation - The rainforest! There is trecking involved, a river cruise and crocs spotting amongst other things, so we're both really looking forward to it. We're also going to do a snokling trip to the great barrier in the next couple of days although we've been advised to wait at least 2 days because its really wondy out there and you wont be able to see much. There's the option of taking a glass bottomed boat out (which is so appealing seeings as you don't have to touch the fish) but sam is insitent on swimming with them so im going to use all my courage and try snorkling - after all it is the great barrier reef! The expense of oz is hitting us hard and the trips arnt coming cheap but these things really arnt to be missed. Once we've finished with caines we start the oz experience which will take us all the way down to melbourne. It's goin to be a tough 4 weeks but we both can't wait! There'll be loads more pics to follow so just bear with us Love and miss everyone back home so much - i cant beleive we've been away for this long. It seems unreal but i think we're finally getting the hang of it all (i did laundry today in the hostel, go me) Keep up with the emails and messages Sam&Lucy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx