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Hello from Cairns.
Our arrival into Cairns was more of an event than we wanted it to be. Unknown to us, when we got to the airport in Singapore our flight was actually going via Kuala Lumpur. We were pretty annoyed as we had already been there and it just delayed the flight even longer.
A few weeks before ths flight we were informed that our connecting flight from Papa New Guinea to Cairns was changing to later on in the day. Kate and I were prepared to wait 9 hours in Papa New guinea airport. Our flight from Singapore was eventually delayed by 45 minutes and miraculously we arrived in Papa New Guinea and our original flight we were supposed to get at 9am (we arrived at 9.30/10am) was delayed. The lady even said that we could get on that one instead. Kate and I asked no questions, except 'will our luggage be going with us?' to which the seemingly competent lady replied 'Yes, of course' - and we got on the plane not believing our luck.
Next day in Cairns though, I heard on the radio that a flight from PPNG to Cairns was delayed because they were about to take-off and the something went wrong with the plane. Hmmmm, glad we didn't know about that.
The flight from Papa New Guinea to Cairns was really nice and short and we had breathtaking views of the great barrier reef. We went through immigration without a problem, until we got through and were met by a very tall and imposing man who 'slyly' grilled us about our trip to OZ. However, we got through it with flying colours, Yippee. We went to get our baggage and there were only 3 bags left on the belt. None were hours. We weren't to worried about it though. The man from the airport promised to deliver it to our hostel that night. It didn't come that night, it came the next morning. Kate and I couldn't help but still feel upbeat. We loved Asia but it was just nice to be in a country where everyone speaks english. Strange but I haven't felt home sick since we arrived. I still miss you Mum and Dad.
We got to our hostel and recieved both laughs and sympathy for our misplaced luggage. We just hoped it had left Singapore. The hostel was right on the esplanade and quite close to everything. Cairns wasn't what we thought it would be like, due to our lack of research. We thought it would have skyscrapers and be more of a city. It's pretty small with very few tall buildings, but we still love it. On the esplanade they have BBQ units you can use FOR FREE and they are top of the range. They also have a swimming pool called the Lagoon which seemed to be the place to hang out. ALSO FREE!!
You can't really do anything in Cairns without having to pay for it but we were good girls and decided we weren't going to do the great barrier reef until we had worked for a bit. So instead we did a bumper something or other on the sea. Basically we were pulled along on a blow-up mattress type thing and pulled along by a speed boat. Kate and I had the grip of death and the driver decided to try and purposely get us to fall off. It didn't actually work to start off with so I convinced Kate just to let go. I went first hitting the water pretty fast (sharks didn't enter my head, thank god) and then Kate after a hesitation I might add, hit the water harder and swallowed half the ocean. We had a great time, I wanted to laugh so much I couldn't breath. Pictures to follow.
Since then we have had a bit of a walk around Cairns and its a nice place but I can't help but feel like i'm in America. I have to keep reminding myself and also the surrouunding accents pull me back.
We played alot of 'kap um clag', got two gourmet take-away pizzas ( I know, Naughty), two baskin and Robbins and we went to a free salsa lesson. Great fun.
We are definitely coming back up, either to Cairns or to Townsville, to do the Barrier Reef.
We are now in Ayr looking for work. Nice little town. Nothing much to do. Quaint. Hicksville. hehe.
Anyway peace out. Miss ya's. I'm gonna go get some Goon and put another shrimp on the barbie (apparently they don't call the shrimp ha!)
Becky and Kate out
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