On to Sydney!

Tuesday, 7:30 AM, February 12, 2008, Cairns, Queensland, AU

Just to spite us, the rain stopped mid-morning yesterday and only spit a couple of other times. Of course, we weren't at the Reef. We were visiting with a couple from Minneapolis, strolling through the shops, and viewing the Art Gallery. That's okay; I'm glad we rested up for the final phase.

We fly this morning to Sydney, get a car, and drive to see my pen pal of 45 years, Julie, and her family. We'll be with them until Friday when we fly home.

And I still haven't for sure seen a kangaroo in the wild. Talk about a tourist ploy!

Just call us very wet chickens

Monday, Feb 11, 2008, 8:20 AM, Cairns, Queensland, AU

'Tis the wet season in northern Australia and yesterday said 'wet' caught up with us. We had been sprinkled upon in Darwin, but it was pouring as we left. The weather was cloudy in Cairns until mid-day when the skies opened to Noah-rain. No thunder, no lightning, which is strange to us because that's the only way we get rain like this: accompanied by skyworks.

We have dragged a little umbrella all over and finally it has come in handy. But then, you know it rains a lot when even the driveways into parking garages have awnings so people walking down the street won't get wet.

We were to go out to the Great Barrier Reef today, but have cancelled. It was an hour in the bus to the boat once everyone was picked up and we weren't last, an hour and a half to the pontoon, 4 hours there, and then a reverse of all that. And, did I mention that it was RAINING?

Just call us chicken. Very, very, wet wet wet chickens.

Cairns: between mountain and ocean

Sunday, Feb 10, 2008, 11:30 AM, Cairns, Queensland AU

Really should look at a map before we venture out. Had no idea Cairns was between mountains and the ocean. Very lush looking with an Hawaiian feel. Full of shops and hotels and a big cruise ship docked at the wharf.

We've had an early day, being picked up at 5:30 am for our 7 am flight out of Darwin. The plane wasn't even half-full, but still it went! Yeah! But we are too early to check in to the hotel, so exploring instead.

The time changed on us again, this time by 30 minutes to the later. At least we are on the same minute time as at home now.

I have found an internet cafe with $3/hour rates and I'm taking advantage of it. Think I'll check the routine sites and see what's going on.