Day 44 – South of Cairns, Australia – 9:15 AM

I wish I had one more day in Cairns.  I really only had one day to experience the city as my first day was occupied waiting to check into my hostel.  Unable to stow away my bags until reception opened, I was forced to wait out Day #1 on my hostel patio.

However, yesterday morning I awoke early and got a jump on the day.  My first stop was the Cairns shopping plaza to purchase sunscreen and a number of other odds-and-ends.  When I approached the cashier, she told me the purchase of that particular lotion made me eligible to receive a free beach towel.  As I don’t have a beach towel and I’ll welcome anything that is free, I accepted the towel and completed my transaction.

I returned to my hostel and prepared to walk down to the lagoon.  The Cairns Lagoon and accompanying esplanade is a large pool that abuts the ocean.  A man made beach lines one side of the pool and large grassy park stretches beyond.  However, at the time I did not realize this.  I expected to arrive at a real beach with the opportunity to swim in the ocean.  I threw on my board shorts, made a quick sandwich and prepared my bag.  I grabbed my sunglasses and started my trek to the lagoon.  Only after I arrived did I realize what the lagoon actually comprised.  The pool was swarmed with children and I didn’t see anyone swimming in the nearby ocean.  My first swim off the Australian coast would have to wait.  I found a quiet patch of grass, unfurled my free beach towel and sat down to get some sun.  In the past I’ve been known to forego sunscreen, expecting that one day I’ll no longer get sunburned. The result is usually me red as a cooked lobster.  The days of not wearing sunscreen are behind me and I lathered up with my SPF 30.

After a couple of hours, I packed up my towel and walked around the esplanade.  I passed numerous bars and restaurants.  Storefronts advertising Great Barrier Reef trips, skydiving and an assortment of other tours lined the sidewalks.  I returned to my hostel, removed my pack and chatted with my roommates about the day’s activities.  A student from Germany had one day remaining in Australia before returning home after completing his semester in Cairns. He spent his final day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.

As the sun started to set, I packed up my things and prepared for my bus ride south to Mission Beach.  On a recommendation from someone I met in New Zealand, Mission Beach is supposed to be very beautiful and worth a stop over.  I’ll remain in Mission Beach for one night before continuing south to Airlie Beach.  My month in Australia just began but I have a feeling the next 29 days are going to pass in a blur.