Cairns

Quick bloggingtons regarding Cairns, it is a city popular for its surrounding areas as opposed to what it has to offer.

Below are pictures of couch surf hosty Dave and fellow surfer Sally from Cornwall. Two warm, friendly and genuine people that I had the pleasure of spending time with. I have been sooo lucky with the people I have met and befriended in Oz. D and S got on like a house on fire and many a joke was made re hat buying and returning to Cairns for the wedding:D

On my visit to the botanical gardens I went on the short red arrow walk that gives far reaching views of the city. Cairns is surrounded by hills covered in rainforest and this mountain goat just wanted to gallop up them. Unfortunately Dave said I can't because there are no tracks and the forest is too dense. Is it still called 'bush bashing' in more tropical climes?

I have no idea what this tree is called but I love the contrast of the fiery red blossoms against the stark black seed pods; they are all over the city. Australia is so vibrant in colour, I will miss it when I return to the muted motherland: (

 A wild bush turkey.

Thursday I chilled in the city, wandered the shops (not much cop) and went in search of decent WiFi connection (practically impossible to find). Can I big up 'Bang and Grind?' A wonderful coffee shop with the best name and coffee in town and the only decent WiFi in the whole city. Thanks guys, without you the last two bloggingtons would never have been written.

In the afternoon. I walked along the Esplanade, Australia may not have the historic buildings that we gloat about in Europe but I love their street sculptures. Even in a small place like Cairns there were pieces that caught my eye.

 

I saw this little one playing alone in the sand and thought he was a real cutie.

A tree in the middle of the ocean, what's that all about?

And this sign is all a bit scary to a British bird who was born and bred in blighty, nothing can kill you there lol. Apparently the warning is also in German as more German tourists get killed by crocodiles than any other nation; make of that what you will.

The war memorial.

Saturday morning Dave and I went to Yorky's Knob to run his dogs Holly and Bundy. Bundy is not named after a notorious American serial killer but the Ozzy town of Bunderburgh; famed for distilling Australian rum.

In the afternoon we chilled out at Crystal Cascades, beautiful waterfalls where the locals go to bathe and barbie.

How magnificent is this dragonfly? It looks like it's been carved from turquoise, which just happens to be my birth stone.

And this is some kind of breadfruit.

So now I am bound for Fiji and it is with a heavy heart that I leave Oz. I would like to dedicate this bloggingtons to all the amazing people I have met here who have welcomed me into their homes and looked after me. In order of our meetings: Kerrylee; Matt; Carey and Soph; Matt again (lol); Ella and Eduardo; Machatarn, family and friends; Steve; Dave and Co; Last but not least the adorable Steph. I miss you all already and I insist you all come and stay with me in my beamed cottage for one (once it is bought). Cheesy grin restored, especially for J. This is Adilady sending her love and saying over and out. Next installment from Fiji WiFi permitting xxx

Oops! I almost forgot. Rusty's market that rivals any I saw in SE Asia and the crazy fruit bats; they fly around at dusk like spooky extras out of Scoobydoo:)