Birthday Bugs

18 July – Friday

My birthday, and an early morning call from Michael and Cameron, followed shortly after by Diane – Emma was too shy to talk on the telephone. Packing up too longer this morning because we were constantly interrupted by fellow travellers wanting to chat.

The road to Cairns was virtually flat all the way, except for a small headland south of Cardwell. Unfortunately, the condition of the road left a lot to be desired, being very bumpy, possibly due to the swampy nature of the country and the amount of rain received each year. Still lots of sugar cane, but with banana plantations for variety, and the occasional pongo (mango) tree. When we stopped in a picnic area for lunch at Innisfail, a couple of European backpackers asked for a ride to Milla Milla – we were gong in a different direction.

Tomtom behaved beautifully today and took us straight to our caravan park, although being on the Bruce Highway, we could have found it quite easily ourselves! Flat, grassy and rather open, the park is no where near the airport, which makes a nice change.

A birthday dinner was the order of the day, and of course, subsequent discussions about where to go. Finally decided to head in to the Esplanade area and see what was on offer. We immediately found a lovely seafood and steak restaurant and opted to sit just inside (no front walls or windows) rather than on the footpath. I think we were the only Australians inside, the others were French or Asian. I had a Morton Bay Bug salad and Les opted for chicken and bacon – both delicious.

Cairns has a very definite similarity to Hawaii about it – open air restaurants, shops open at night, lots of holidaying people – a really nice feel to the place.