Australia - Cairns 13th Jan - 17th Jan (In Memory of our Bella)

After a tiring flight we eventually made it to Australia. Our first stop in this American sized country was Cairns, Northern Queensland. As the plane glided in over the city there was a bit of shock as we looked down below and saw that many roads and fields were awash with flood water. After we landed at the airport and left the plane we heard that the day before the cyclone that we had been worried about had hit the area and caused substantial flooding around much of Queensland turning streets into rivers and fields into ponds. Feeling slightly gutted that I had missed this freak event we hopped on board the shuttle bus that took us into central Cairns, where we began the hunt for accommodation. After a few bus stops we decided to jump off and search the area about four blocks away from the Esplade (sea front) as much of that area was being cleaned up. After a couple of enquiries we settled for a room in a place called Geckos. Knowing this would probably be our last room for a while we crashed out in privacy and caught up on the sleepless night of before. When we awoke we wandered downstairs and out on to the street. Our first impression of Australia was drawing in, the square shaped roofs and straight streets reminded me of Egypt although this place was completely different. As we walked further it felt more and more like a Wild West set and we were in it. The heat was unbelievable, a completely different heat to Asia as the sun seemed to penetrate the skin twice as fast. Seeking shelter we stumbled into the main shopping complex. The air felt ice cold as we hunted around and eventually found somewhere to sit and have our first food of the day, at 15.00. That night we decided to make the most of the cooking facilities at the hostel so found a supermarket where Rachel achieved her goal in life (that she failed to do at university) and got me to buy value food. Although this may come across wrong I just don't like using it as I enjoy cooking and only want to produce the best food. However, this trip has already taught us a lot and spending less on these things helps us to see more of what we want. So, value chili con carne it was, not stag, fresh meat was used, all be it, it tasted like crap but it filled a hole.

The next day we left Geckos and wandered in the direction of the Esplade. The day before we had found a nice hostel, only a couple of minutes from the front, so made a bee line straight for it. After checking in we checked out our room and roommates and satisfied with the selection, and the price, we headed for the Lagoon. This is one of Cairns city highlights, a free swimming pool 3 times the size of Broom Hill (no diving boards) but situated on the sea front. The place was always packed with locals and backpackers getting a free tan. We spent the day here finding out the real power of Australia's sun while cooling off in the open lagoon when we got too hot. Relaxed after a day of sun we headed back to the supermarket to buy food for the next couple of days as cooking in, unlike Thailand, would be our cheapest option for eating. That evening we did very little other than use the rest of the mince to make spaghetti Bolognese and watch back to back episodes of House.

The following day we arose later than anticipated and following the day in the sun we decided to take it a little more easy today. Looking much like a lobster, in true British style, we went down to reception to talk about booking a tour around the Whitsundays and Fraser Islands, both simply a must if cruising down the East coast of Oz. As well as that for a 'steal price' we also booked a trip across to Magnetic Island for 3 days and 2 nights with everything other than food included. As this was a place recommended by Big fun's oldest member (Giles) we felt it would be rude not to listen to his wise words.

As the day progressed we took a walk to the book shop to offload 'Thailand's lonely planet', a book that served us throughout, although we ended up $14 out of pocket as I took the decision to hand in Australia's as well and replace it with a detailed 2009 edition of Australia's east coast. This was a third of the size so Rachel's backpack will feel the relief. We spent the rest of the day by the lagoon cooling off and catching a few more rays as much of the days strongest sunshine had passed and our skin felt an urge to brown off a little more. Come evening we made the most of the free voucher supplied to us as a token for booking the tour and headed for Rhino's bar where we entered for our free meal. Now, the word free should tell you a lot about the type of meal we were about to indulge in and quite frankly it made the Chili look good. Fit for a part in Oliver what we ate was far from enjoyable and although the price kicked ass we left feeling half full. Unfortunately the night took a real turn for the worse as we headed back to the hostel. With the thunder booming away we went online for the first time in Oz only to be greeted with the news that my loving pet dog and member of the family Bella had passed away. Although I did expect this to happen, due to her age, it still hit me hard and came as a real shock. That was that really for the night as upset by what had happened Rachel took me round the corner for a drink before we completing her fast food quadruple with a Mc Donald's.

Our final day in Cairns started much the way the last one ended. I awoke feeling pretty down in the dumps and the days plan of heading to the beach seemed to be slipping away. After a discussion over home brand corn flakes we decided that the weather may not hold out for the whole day so we headed over to the lagoon once again. A couple of hours in the sun disappeared into a wall of cloud which very soon turned the hot sunny day on its head. As the rain hit the floor the instant evaporation was visible everywhere and as we wandered towards the shopping centre the heat from the steam on the roads was incredible. Once food for dinner was purchased we headed back to the hostel where we sat watching tennis with toast and butter. As the evening pulled in we cooked the classic meal of bangers and mash. After a play on the internet we headed for the bedroom knowing that getting up early was a becoming a bit of a problem for me as other parts of the trip had shown. However, the first weird dorm experience was about to take place. A strange lad who was sleeping in the bed next to me was a contestant groaner in his sleep and had a noisy a****** when he got up at 06.30 every morning. Obviously the lad could not sleep so he felt it was his duty to keep the rest of us up (cock). He then preceded to a girl's bed across the room who he continuously starred at on more than one occasion (weirdo). But wait, I still have not told you the best bit. After he made a quick exit this morning, before many of us awoke, we noticed his reasons for struggling to sleep; a huge wet patch in a precarious area on the bed was a bit of a giveaway. Hopefully we won't share many more dorm rooms with purvey guys who wet the bed otherwise the extra $10 a night for a room by ourselves may become an option.