30th March

25th - 28th March

Cairns

Following a long, kangaroo-free drive, arrived in Cairns. We found a hotel on the beach and took a lovely stroll along the board walk into town. We were a little alarmed to see signs warning us of the dangers of wading in the Cairns lagoon. An 8 foot croc had been found cruising the waterfront just a few months ago. It was then that the giant fruit bats started circling overhead, fury creatures with a 4 foot wingspan. It is fair to say that there is danger everywhere in Australia.

Above: Trip from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef

Above: Coral cay, sporting our stinger suits

We had a fantastic day on the Great Barrier Reef. We opted for the fast catamaran, versus the sailing option, no surprise there. Our first stop was a coral cay. Stunning and within minutes we had spotted a turtle swimming around the island. Following a glass bottom boat trip we snorkeled from the cay back to the boat. Amazing corals, giant clams and beautiful fish everywhere. Adam was in heaven.

Above: Adam last out of the water again

In line with our trip motto, "do something every day that scares you" we opted to dive at our next stop. I felt a little nervous as we entered the water, particularly as my mask kept filling to the brim. The lovely instructor sorted out my mask, then my next problem was over-buoyancy. After adding further weight to my belt, I sank to the sea floor like a sack of spuds. All good fun. Jules and I dived together and immediately spotted a green turtle - wonderful creatures. We dived down a wall of coral, found giant sea cucumbers, anemones full of nemos and swam amongst shoals of bright, beautiful fish. Another fantastic world just meters below the surface.

No sharks (this time), but Adam and I will be back in Cairns in a few weeks and there is plenty of diving on the agenda as we plan to complete a PADI course. We are booked in for a night time dive. That rather pushes the "do something that scares you", into the "do something that terrifies you" bracket.

Above: Views over the reef

Adam and Kirsten went for a bungee jump. Kirsten was terrified and I think is still suffering from Post Traumatic Shock. She was uncharacteristically quiet for the day following the jump. Nothing like the hyper-active rush that Adam experienced. Adam decided to do his jump backwards. Ekkkk.

Above: Kirst jumped first. Not bad for someone that is afraid of heights! Shame about the sicky burp.

Above: Filby jumps off backwards. Watch him spinning. What will he do for his next trick?

Enjoyed our last night in Cairns, after which Adam and I left Kirsten and Jules. Adam and I headed back to Sydney, and Kirsten and Jules went on to Perth.