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Published: February 20th 2010
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Queensland
I was surprised to see large hills in the area. Maybe we were inland towards the Great Dividing Range (although that would make these on the wrong side of the bus or we were heading in the wrong direction). After almost 30 hours on the road I finally arrived in Cairns this afternoon. The rest of the trip was uneventful, with a stop for breakfast and then straight through to Cairns.
Along the way, I finished reading another issue of Men’s Health and resumed my reading of
In a Sunburned Country, a collection of Bill Bryson’s tales from a few of his trips to Australia. It’s very interesting reading the accounts of his experiences here, especially in places that I can now relate to. As silly as it sounds, one of the more fascinating tidbits was about the Australian flies. I had to chuckle at his description of these stubborn flies that will relentlessly persist in annoying you as I recalled several flies following me throughout Sydney. At the time I had thought that maybe I stank but it appears it’s quite common here.
Also along the way, after having traveled more than 2,000 miles by bus, I came across my first roadwork. We were through it in no time as the roads do not seem to be heavily traveled, which is probably why they see no need for an American-style interstate system.
I checked into the
Esplanade
The main road along the water and where my hostel is located. hostel and immediately noticed how empty it is. Apparently it’s off season here. My logic in going to Australia had been
well, it’s summer here with no further thought given. What I should have thought was
who goes to the tropics in the summer?. And that also explains the immense heat and humidity that brings on an instant sweat. But there’s plenty I want to do while I’m here. Besides, it could be worse. I could be shoveling several feet of snow back home.
After checking in I decided to resolve my laptop issue. I went by one store which specialized in expensive Apple systems.
Next. I then found an electronics store in the mall where I picked up a nice inexpensive compact PC that should get me through the next few months.
I got back to the hostel and discovered I now had a roommate, Ernesto, from Guadalajara, Mexico. We chatted for a bit before I went out to grab a meal at the Wool Shed backpacker bar that was included with my accommodations. Cheap Spaghetti Bolognese - yum.
After dinner, I caught back up with Ernesto. We headed back to the Wool Shed where we
Lagoon
The man made lagoon with a sandy beach can be enjoyed without fear of oceanic predators. each picked up a card for five drinks for AU$10. These ended up being pots (half pints) of beer. The last couple were real pints so we made out pretty well for AU$10.
While we were drinking, we discussed our various travels, past, present and future. Ernesto has been all over the place. On this trip he will cover six of seven continents and go to the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa.
Towards the end of our time at the Wool Shed, we came upon some commotion taking place on the dance floor. I had seen the bar staff coming around with goldfish and thought they were doing that silly goldfish swallowing thing. In fact, what was being done was much better. The bar had set up goldfish races, with two long plexiglass troughs filled with water set up side-by-side like drag strips. Fish were dropped in and then motivated to swim rapidly towards the other end of the trough by a person blowing bubbles through a straw at the fish’s tail. The races were tournament style heats, with the winner of each heat advancing. Each fish represented a particular nationality. The Aussie fish won and
Birds
For several minutes, birds would fly in huge flocks to a set of trees along the lagoon. the American fish went home early. Clearly this was rigged but it was great fun.
Having not slept well last night on the bus and knowing that I need to be up early tomorrow I hit the rack around 11:00.
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