The day I left Airlie Beach was almost entirely given over to travelling. I usually try and get night buses so I can sleep through the long distances but it wasn't really possible this time. It wasn't so bad though, as the views out the window were interesting and ever changing. I arrived in Cairns at 8:30pm and it was still rather too hot and humid for my tastes. I arrived at yet another brilliant hostel - Castaways - who put me in a gloriously air-conditioned dorm. Huzzah!
I only really had one day to look around, so I tried to make the most of it. I explored the main streets and walked along the boardwalk by the shore. Again, you can't actually go in the sea because of the stingers but there is a lagoon instead. I didn't quite make it to the museum but I did get to ReefTeach, where a very enthusastic marine biologist talked very quickly for two hours about the main types of fish and coral we'd see whilst diving and snorkelling on the reef, as well as some of the other creatures we may encounter. The idea is that 'with greater understanding comes greater appreciation', so people know what they're looking at and have a greater respect for the reef. There's some really amazing stuff down there. Before the lecture was half-way through, she was talking to a room full of people who wished they could be marine biologists too. Again, unfortunately I didn't get chance to do a dive or get out onto the reef but I think that's all the more reason for a return visit at some point in the future. Hopefully i can also find time to head a little bit further up to Cape Tribulation to see crocodiles and more rainforest.
The other thing Cairns has is a night market. This is very similar to any number of regular markets I've been to, except it takes place at night. It takes place indoors, though, so you could be forgiven for forgetting the time of day.
So, after my brief sojourn up to the hot, humid north of the east Coast, it was time to head back to Brisbane. I got a flight this morning (that left at 6am! I was up at 3:30am! Bah) and have spent a good part of this afternoon catching up on internet-related things. It doesn't seem any more Christmas-y here, but at least it's somewhat cooler. Woo!
