Cairns–19 to 26 July 2011

The drive up the coast to Cairns is magnificent with the sea on one side and the blue Mountains of the Great Dividing range on the other. Sugarcane is a lovely green crop to drive through.

We stayed at the Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort, one of the nicest facilities in Australia. We enjoyed one of Tricia's favorite Restaurants Hanuman. Hanuman melds different Asian cuisines.

This was our time to prepare for traveling North to the Tip of Mainland Australia.  Tricia was unsure what to expect so we looked up a good butcher on the net and did a big shop.

 
Our Engel car freezer where we store the meat stopped freezing. We are so glad it broke in Cairns as even though it started working again in the repair shop, Engel replaced the compressor unit under warranty so we would not have any difficulties up the Cape. The caravan park stored the meat for us.

 

It seems silly to clean before going into the dirt but we cleaned and washed everything.  We also went to the Cairns Show which was on for two days only.

On our last day we enjoyed a walk along the waterfront.   We saw a stunning ship called Vertigo, 63 metres long and powered by two masts over 60 metres each with a backup of 2 Caterpillar v12 1400HP motors.  Not your ordinary yacht!!

We learned on Thursday Island that it belonged to Leonardo di Caprio, who came ashore on Thursday Island for lunch at the local pub.  It was the talk of the town when we visited next day.

 
We like Cairns, it is a centre for the Cape and Northern Peninsula Area and has a great tropical feel.