I must admit having more than a few moments of regret after we decided to stop in Cairns for a day on our way to Japan. Cairns in the middle of summer is a hot and humid place to be and I enjoy heat and humidity about as much as a cat enjoys a cold bath. What were we thinking??
However, a day of rest and relaxation in the tropical north proved to be just what the doctor ordered after what had been a fairly stressful week. After a lovely long sleep in, we wandered down to the Esplanade for brunch near the Lagoon – Cairns’ place to be on a hot summer’s day where you aren’t in danger of having a croc encounter of toothed kind.
Cairns is a lovely town still with old colonial buildings gracing the centre but what surprised me the most was the bats. Yes, bats. Smack, bang in the centre of town is a collection of trees with some very strange fruit indeed.
I could hear the shrieking from a few blocks away but it was only as we got closer we realised that all the brown things hanging from the branches were actually hundreds of Flying Foxes!!
We were very careful to close our mouths as we looked up to see all the foxy faces curiously peering down at us.
After some time peering up at our foxy friends, we continued our wander through the town. Although hot, it was nice to see such lush greenery everywhere.
Australia Day celebrations were in full swing with boys (oversized smurfs??) playing football,
people picnicking,
everyone crowded into the Lagoon
and helicopter fly-by’s.
Our hotel pool was beckoning so we made the most of the sunny afternoon by taking a dip and enjoying the bottle of sparkling generously left in our room by the hotel – thank you Pullman Reef Hotel!
At sunset we strolled over to the Salt House, a great restaurant and bar on the harbour where we could enjoy a few cold ones as the light faded.
So despite suffering the hot and humid conditions, our stop in Cairns was a very relaxing start to our holiday. Bring on Japan!
Where's Wiwi? 
What a lovely restaurant just the place for a nice cocktail or two
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Oh yes, I highly recommend it! Really nice for relaxing at days end – just no aircon!!
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Freaky little bats! The stopover sounded like a great wee segue to the main event. Happy belated Austraya Day, looking forward to some Nipponese tales!
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Ha I think they’re rather cute with their little faces! Thanks, it was a great ‘Straya Day! Hopefully I’ll have some time to post about Japan soon!
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It looks wonderful Olivia, I know you say it is hot, but it looks like paradise.
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Looks can be deceiving! 🙂 It was lovely, I just wouldn’t go back at the height of summer!
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Eventually I will get to Australia and when I do, I’m plunking down at that bar!
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There are definitely worse places to see the light fade!
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I don’t think I could have ‘found’ you at a better time … I have plans for Cairns later this year (although admittedly I have been there before so I’m not looking for too much inspiration there) and we’ve just started talking about heading to Japan this time next year! Very much looking forward to your further tales.
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Thanks for your comment! Hopefully I’ll be able to send some Japanese inspiration your way shortly! I’m too busy temple hopping and stuffing my face with gyoza at the moment 🙂
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Too hot for me!!! And there are people sun baking…nuts.
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I know! I couldn’t believe people were out in the sun with barely anything on at midday! Crazy!
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