Rosie Project Race.

Monday 5th December 2016

This is our last full day at Port Douglas.  We spent it lazily, walking on the beach, reading by the pool and eating up the combinations of food we had left.

The Rosie Project is a book that we have both been reading on our kindles.  It is about a high functioning Australian academic with Asbergers Syndrome who is seeking a wife.  It's hilarious and we have been racing each other to finish it first.  I finished first but I did start it first so it's not a real victory. I am now back into a Jack Reacher book which is a regular book series for me.

At lunchtime we had promised ourselves fish and chips at a small cafe.  There are lots of 'chippies' and we thought it was time to sample some.

Janice had grilled barramundi and I had battered coral trout.  It was lovely fish, I don't think they will have any coral trout at Stramondgate Chippy in Kendal when I get back.  We followed the fish and chips with an ice cream....if I had had it with jelly that would have been my favourite childhood meal.

We had a night in and tried (but failed) to watch the film Gladiator on TV.  The adverts were so regular they were nearly longer than the film. 

Tuesday 6th December 2016

My breakfast included a banana and mango yoghurt buttie, I know it is a bit unusual but it was nice and it was the last of our ingredients we had in the fridge before leaving Port Douglas.  We had one last swim in the pool and one last walk on the beach.

We had a shuttle bus arranged to take us to Cairns for just one night.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn close to the shore.  We had another nice view from our balcony.  Another upgrade aparently!

We went into the city and found a lovely swimming lagoon and harbour.

The statue commemorates the first 1000 lb black Marlin that was caught offshore.

We visited a contemporary art gallery, which we enjoyed.

Today's wildlife feature is 'spectacled flying foxes' (a type of bat) who were residing in some town centre banyan trees.

There were hundreds of them....and they didn't half smell!  They are aparently quite rare.  There is no spot the bat competition but if you can see the spectacles I will be amazed.

Overall the city was nice and compact.  Mainly on a two floor level.  There seems to be a high Chinese and Japanese element, either resident or tourist, probably both.  Lots of signs in Chinese and Japanese.  There also seemed to be quite a few younger backpackers as well but it wasn't busy and the waterfront areas were lovely.

A quiet meal and a walk on the promenade is planned this evening but no nighttime swimming...