driving from Cairns --> Port Douglas

The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas was, 'ehem, totally beautiful.  It's funny, things look a lot like North America, in terms of the road design (besides the whole driving on the left side thingy) and structure of the little towns, but then the foliage and landscape is completely tropical, resembling South America.  The palm trees and lush greenery met light brown beaches followed by crystal blue waters.  We wound around the mountains, hugging the coastline headed towards a jungle hide- away for some R&R after the craziness of the conference.

partyin in Cairns

With such a giant conference, it was really fun to meet up with marine science friends that are now dispersed all over the world.  It even turned out to be one friend's birthday so a bunch of us got together for Vietnamese and BYOW.  The poor little restaurant seemed completely overwhelmed by all of us and most of the other customers walked out when they saw our rowdy bunch.  It was a great time, though, and the brocollinis with rice were delish!  Happy birthday Kate, thanks for getting us all together!!

Cairns, Oz, Thoughts

So I kind of totally have mixed thoughts about Cairns and Australia in general.  I mean Cairns is a kind of cool, hippie dippy, little town that has some really awesome outdoor spaces.  It is tropical and beautiful and the promenade along the water front with public-use-barbeques is really cool .... but I also felt that it was kind of grungy.  There just seemed to be so many 19 year old backpacker- slacker types hell-bent on getting wasted everynight, trying to show one another up in terms of how extreme they are.  I might have once been a 19 year old backpacker, but I don't think wasting all your time and money inside a bar is really a way to experience a place.  Also, there just seemed to be a lot of poverty in Cairns.  Trash strewn about, sad drugged up homeless people, and really sad looking Aborigines.  There were, however, a LOT of cool ethnic food places to choose from, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, French, but unfortunately we were unable to find any sort of Mexican/ Latino joints.... sometimes you just really want a burrito :)

As to Australia in general, and here I really generalize considering I didn't see much of the country/ continent, the people were insanely friendly to the point where I was actually confused.  I was a bit weirded out actually when the Aussie girl next to me on the plane kept talking to me, and when the taxi guy struck up a real-heartfelt conversation (apparently I must see the movie Red Dog), and when random people would just go out of their way to be helpful.  This was really cool.  But on the other hand, being a ex-British colony and all, I kinda felt like I wasn't too surprised by much, most of the people look the same as in the US, the weather could be similar to Florida, and the traditional culture did not stand out.  Also, I did not run into ANY kangaroos or koalas... apparently you need to go to zoos to see those??  I most certainly want to return to Australia one day (and would REALLY like to do a massive road trip there), but overall, it is not a destination that I just am itching to find out more about.  Also... with that 26+ hour travel time, getting there and back is also a slight deterrent.

Cairns/ Australia, no doubt I am sure I will see you again, and I will be happy to do so, but in the mean time, its a great big world out there and I want to see more of it!!

updates

Hey Folks, well I am back... 'eh kinda.  I am actually still in Cairns and have hardly left this little town except for a brief trip to Port Douglas.  In fact, in the past five-or-so-days I have hardly left my hotel room.  Last, Thursday (the day of my presentation!!!), I came down with a pretty horrible fever and what I would later find out to be is a respiratory infection (thanks Cairns 24hour Medical Clinic).  I am now on loads of Panadol, antibiotics, and decongestants.  And yes, Mom, I am drinking lots of fluids.  I am starting to feel better but to be honest, I am just really ready to go home.  I fly back to Saudi-land tomorrow, hamdulilah.

Unfortunately this trip has turned out to be more of a sticky mess than something sweet and I am pretty bummed out about that.  A girl doesn't go to Australia everyday and I soooo had my hopes set on meeting up with Koalas, Kangaroos, and Wombats.  But, one good thing that has come from all of this sneezying-coughing-feverish stuff, is that I know there is at least one person out there that really cares about me.  Someone that was willing to give up his fun-in-the-sun vacation time to take me to the doctor, sit with me while I slept, and get me more medicine.  Thanks mi amor.

Thank you again to all of my guest bloggers!  It was a lot of fun having you, please visit again!