Back in Sunny Cairns

It’s great to be back in sunny Cairns again and to recharge after our hectic train trip through the outback.  We were certainly “on the go” and needed to set the alarm clock for early morning departures.  Staying once again at Southern Cross Atrium and this time secured a room on the ground floor.  So much easier than lugging those cases up and down three flights of stairs as we did previously as this hotel does not have lifts.  And our poor little legs used to have a hard time climbing all those stairs after a big day out sight seeing.

We were welcomed back in style with a grand fire work display – how nice was that!  But to be truthful, it was all part of Cairns Festival and there seems to be plenty on.  The Esplanade at night is always quite pretty with lights.

 

And we joined the crowds at Festival Stage to listen and watch the highly energetic group “Bombay Royale”.  A mixture of Bollywood and loud driving rock, this large group had the crowd up dancing and wanting more.

Cairns is an interesting place, and the locals are just as colourful as the visitors.  We spotted the latest in roof rack decorations recently – real he-man stuff.  Spare tires, containers of water or fuel maybe, and a couple of bovine skulls tied on the front.  Wonder how this would go in downtown Levin?

What we like about Cairns is the fact that such a busy tourist spot is so casual.  Hoards of tourists flock to the Esplanade area, wave after wave of young Asians, and lots of older tourists like us.  This is a place that Aussies who live in cooler climes like to escape to for a winter break.  The outdoor dining is delightful, as is the people watching, and getting “dressed for dinner” hardly ever happens. Tidy and casual seems to be the way, and shorts with off the shoulder tops for those with young slim figures. Everyone seems so laid back, and we haven’t witnessed any trouble at all – a taxi driver told us that this is a very safe city.  There doesn’t seem to be flies around, or any of those nasty biting insects, which is a bonus, as I’m usually top of the list for insect bites. 

We’ve since returned to a couple of favourite eating places, such as the RSL Club, where we enjoyed one of our favourite meals, slow cooked pork belly.  Although the servings were so large I just couldn’t finish mine.  As mentioned previously, everything stops at 6.00pm as the Ode is played and everyone in the Club stands in respect.  What is really nice to see is that people walking by on the footpath stop and wait, and even those across the street on the boardwalk.

Slow cooked pork belly for dinner

Last night we viewed City Lights, part of the Festival.  Now in it’s third year, moving artworks full of colour showing the culture, history and lifestyle of tropical North Queensland are projected onto the front of the Library building. 

City Lights at the Library

We treated ourselves to a wonderful breakfast today from one of the many local cafes.  Avo, tomato, and feta on toast with smoked salmon and poached eggs for her, and a huge plate of French Toast, bacon and luscious fruit for him.  Wonderfully presented and quite reasonably priced too.

Not bad at all

So we are just pottering around, done a little last minute shopping, and making sure we get rid of any perishables in the fridge,  As it will be our last night in town, we will be taking ourselves out somewhere nice tonight for our final evening meal.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day as we are off on another train ride.  This time, the Spirit of Queensland, a 24 hour trip from Cairns to Brisbane.  And we won’t be roughing it either – sitting in economy all that time.  Oh no, our upgraded seats magically turn into a RailBed so we can hopefully get to sleep at night – will let you know how that all works out.  So it’s goodbye to Cairns, and hello to Brisbane.