Swimming in the sun or flying?

Our last day in Cairns marks a end to many things.

Firstly the weather. Sydney is next for a week then 2 in New Zealand, it won't be til the end of August that we see the sun again in Vancouver. This is something we have both been enjoying and will miss.

Secondly the activities. The schedule of non-stop things to ends. Our week in Sydney is more relaxed than our time so far. however, don't get me wrong, the reason we have been so busy is because we wanted to be. And we have loved it. Sinagpore and the slings; Port Douglas and the beach and beer; Cape Trib and the rainforest and beaches; Cairns and Uncle Brians and the Barrier Reef. These were all things I certainly longed to do, Tom was sceptical at first with a couple, more ignorance than concern, as he will happily admit. We leave Cairns completely content, if not a little lighter in the pocket, but content never the less.

The morning was spent sleeping, partly. The tours always start early and this was our first morning to sleep in. A breakfast with Fabian and then handed him the perishable goods we couldn't transport to Sydney. We were late checking out :) we had a tannoy call to get out! Anyhow, with bags in the baggage store we headed down to the Lagoon.

We were told it was a must do while in Cairns (pronounced cans I'm finding). There are pictures of it on the blog. It is a large outdoor swimming pool essentially, with sand around and then grass with a BBQ area. Friday morning was busy there and we enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere. Tom went to find the bird he'd been after for a couple of days while I kicked back with the iPod. I had not been swimming for a few hours and was in need of a dip, so a plunge into the 'refreshing' (we have come to understand the true meaning of that word already ;) ) water.

There was good reason for this interlude, well I thought there was. We had a few hours to kill before our 16.10 flight to Sydney. Lunch was had by the lagoon, and then a strole back to the YHA to grab our bags for the coach transfer to the airport. Well after 15 minutes past our departure time we were concerned. The YHA phoned Sun Palm and we were reassured only another 10 minutes. 45 minutes after our departure time the coach turned up - Justin our driver had just come off the Port Douglas route we had been on earlier in the week - he explained the company were running behind. Hey it didn't matter that 16.10 depature was a while yet.

Justin, very informative with Bristolian grandparents, helped us into an empty airport. This is odd, were my first thoughts, I've travelled enough to know that even the smallest airports in the world busy themselves before departures. Well, all was about to be explained as I asked to check in for 'the Sydney flight'. It appears that the 16.10 departure was actually a 16.10 arrival at Sydney, yes I had missed our flight by 3 hours! It was bound to happen sometime in my life!

The checkin clerk directed us over to the sales clerk, who tried to get us on our original plane, for some reason still on the ground (must have gone tech on arrival or delayed). Alas it was not to be, so I clenched my teeth for the financial penalty of being a plonker. Then reallity took hold as the sales clerk's good nature reminded me that this was Qantas and not some tin pot carrier, transfered to the 17.15 departure with a long wait ahead.

Dinner was plastic on the plane. My faith in Qantas died rapidly as they expected me to pay for wine with my dinner! Anyhow Sydney Airport is well located and 4 stops on the Airlink we were at Sydney central witha 2 min strole to our hostel.

The night was spent in Scubar (the YHA bar), initially for a drink but ended up boogying the night away to a DJ who could not mix tracks to save his life, shame I left my collection at home...