Geo: 42.5991, -82.9312We're off to discover a new country and culture. A couple reasons we have chosen to visit the Netherlands and experience its culture are: The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country of colorful tulip fields, windmills, historic canals, architecture, and immense beauty overall. It is one of the top destinations in Europe. The popularity of cycling is another factor that attracts us to visit. There are more bicycles than residents in The Netherlands and in cities like Amsterdam and Den Hague up to 70% of all journeys are made by bike. To make cycling safer and more inviting the Dutch have built a vast network of cycle paths. These are clearly marked, have smooth surfaces, separate signs and traffic signals for those on bicycles, and wide enough to allow side-by-side cycling. The ... read more

Geo: -16.9254, 145.775Rusty's Market was out first destination this morning. We found an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetable stalls. They were selling the usual apples, oranges, grapes, pineapples, watermelon, corn, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, celery, cabbage, and cauliflower. A difference we noticed was halves and quarters of cabbages were available as well as halves of a cauliflower. Several stalls were selling oriental lettuces, pea pods, and cabbage. Most of the stalls had samples out of all the fruits they were selling, We tasted quite a few of the regular fruits but also tried a frog skinned or toad melon. It was juicy and sweet, along the line of a honey dew melon. Two fruits we are not familiar with were the custard apple and the dragon fruit. They were very expensive so as a result there ... read more

Geo: -16.9254, 145.775Plans for today meant another early start to the day. When your time is limited in one location you need to pack as much into a day as you can. Our plan for today was to do an excursion to Green Island where we would see the Great Barrier Reef. Our intention was to do a half day trip in the morning but it was overcast and misty so we got our tickets for the afternoon departure. That proved to be a good decision because the skies cleared and the sun was shining by departure time. We spent the next few hours on more exploration of Cairns after a leisurely breakfast stop. We went to Rusty's Market finding it only to be open on Friday and Saturday so we will return on Friday. We ... read more

Geo: -16.9254, 145.775We were on the move early again this morning leaving our hotel in time to catch a 4:30 a.m. train to the airport. Everything went smoothly and we arrived in Cairns and checked in to our hotel. We were greeted with cloudy skies but warm and humid temperatures. We can't complain since we have had beautiful weather for our entire trip so far. If the sun had been out it would have made walking around a little uncomfortable. Our first stop was a grocery store to pick up some lunch items to have a picnic lunch at the waterfront. We walked to a park by the Swimming Lagoon where there were many picnic tables and benches. Along the the Esplanade there are also several barbecue grills for public use. The swimming lagoon is a ... read more

Geo: -27.4676, 153.028Our morning started quite early today. We set out for a Sunday only market on the Eagle Street Pier. The stalls were occupied by artists and others selling their goods. There was jewelry, clothes, paintings, toys, massages, and hats. The area was very crowded since the nearest building was having a Climb for a Cure fund raiser going on. There were hundreds of climbers along with their supporters waiting for their time to climb the steps of a high rise on Eagle Pier. Their was a band playing and lots of cheering happening. Our next stop was Saint Stephen's Cathedral to attend Mass. The hymns that were sung are the same ones we have been singing at home. With the exception of the stained glass windows the Cathedral was plain and simple. They must ... read more