Days in Cairns and Port Douglas

Strange to be back in a city after 23 years. Lots have changed and can’t say that I remember that much either. Although nice to be in Cairns to relax and explore part of the rainforest and the area. We have booked a day out on the barrier reef to dive and snorkel. But first we have to moor in the Marina. Which is really great placed very close to the city. Lots of restaurants along the quay.

We hired a car for a day together with our friends Chris and Karen and went for drive to find the lake where we swam with small turtels and crocodiles. No luck with finding the lake but we had a great time in the rainforest. We went to ..,,waterfall where we hope to take a dip but it didn’t attract us. Next stop was Kuranda where we went in to wild kuranda. Here we finally saw some crocodiles although this was freshwater so they are not the dangerous ones. We also saw kangaroos in different sizes and one with baby, koalas, wombat and some other smaller ones.

We was told to not miss Palm cove beach which we really enjoyed. A typical vacation village next to the beach. Here I would loved to stay for a night or two.

Time for diving again in the Great Barrier Reef. Last time was at Lady Eliott island 12 years ago which is located in the southern part of Barrier reef and outside Cairns was 22 years ago. Unfortunately the weather was not the best, quite windy, a bit wavy and very grey. We went out on to Flynn reef to dive and snorkel. The first dive didn’t work for me. When I jumped in I couldn’t go down. My breathing went bananas and I panicked. Even if our instructor was really relaxed and tried to calm me down it didn’t work so I went up again. Took me a while to calm down and get my breath back. Don’t know but it felt like the wetsuit I was wearing squeeze me and on top I was freezing and also did Karen when she came up. Nevertheless the second dive came and I went in with the rest of the group in a one size bigger wetsuit. Everything worked and it was a great dive although not as colourful as I remembered it. I got the opportunity to do a second dive which I am glad I did. All in all I saw a sleeping white tip shark, bluespotted stingray, boxfish etc

When we came back to the boat we got the best news. Our fourth grandchild had arrived. A baby girl .We are so happy but a bit sad also since we will not see them in a long time. Thank goodness for internet. At least we can facetime.

We sailed up to Port Douglas which was not very far. Took as couple of hours. Not much of wind so mostly the iron genua had to work. We spent 24 hours here. A dinner in the evening at Watergate restaurant. Very lovely place. This time we hade an afternoon start from the marina so there was time for a tour to the beach and a bit strolling in the village.

In front of us we have a night sailing up to Lizard island. The night was really calm and the morning was one of the most gorgeous I have seen.

Hugs Eva