Learning As We Go!

Cairns’ tropical climate definitely put me in vacation mode!  We stayed at The Cairns Plaza Hotel just across from the esplanade.  Nice hotel with a friendly helpful staff and a good breakfast.  We took walks along the water watching the many birds in an out of the water. 

Masked Lapwing strolls along the beach

Superb Fruit Dove and baby

A large public swimming pool parallel to the seashore with people practicing snorkeling, swimming and generally enjoying the water was a major draw to the area.  Several large sculptures marked inviting resting spaces all along the esplanade. 

We walked around the town, checking out the local grocery store, cafes, and parks.  Wi-fi was free in the town and we caught up on emails, news, etc while sitting on the park bench.  That was a real plus!  Generally internet cost from $10 (a day in Cairns hotel room) to $22(a half hour in Sydney).  So free wi-fi was appreciated!  We were interested in the cost of food – oranges were the same as ours, milk was about $5 half gal and ours is approx $1.50.  Island prices!  We also enjoyed the night markets.

Since we had limited time (2 days) we decided not to go to the Barrier Reef as neither of us snorkel or swim and it was a pretty pricey trip. Instead we took a boat to The Green Island and enjoyed exploring all of it!

Exploring The Green Island

We met a lovely Japanese couple who were birding and together we watched a Silvereye go in and out of a nest that looked like dried flowers.  The couple (about our age) did not speak English, we did not speak Japanese and yet we were able to identify another bird with our bird books and sign language as we enjoyed each other’s company. 

Coral through the Glass Bottom Boat!

Next stop Darwin!