Day 1 - Saturday 13 September - Canberra to Cairns

So I always forget *something*. This time I forgot all the paperwork for the trip. Not super critical, but annoying. And the map. But mum brought hers. I also wish I'd brought a bottle opener. How is one meant to kick back with a beer at the end of the day, sitting overlooking the marina and typing up the day's blog entry? Unless one makes sure to get twist tops or cans. But I digress.

So I was up at 5am. The sweetie kindly took me to the airport.

I love this sculpture at Canberra Airport

The first flight was in a 717 (really a rebadged MD-95). I'd only ever been in a 717 at the Canberra Airport Open Day, and never flown in one before (I think I've been in other MD planes though). I had seat 22F, which is up near the back of the plane, as I prefer. However the wings on a 717 are *way* back. And the engines are *just there*. In fact if I'd been any further back all would have been able to see would have been the engines. Note to self: next time flying on a 717, get seats up the front, further forward than rows 13/14 which are the exit rows.

Boeing 717-200 VH-YQW at Canberra Airport

Tiny view between the wing and the engine on a 717

We didn't get much in the way of breakfast, just a slice of banana bread. Qantas have also relaxed the PED (Personal Electronic Device) rules. If they're switched to flight mode you can leave them on the entire trip (except laptops, they still want you turn those off for takeoff/landing). And they had these little iPad minis that you could play movies, music and tv on. Sadly no games, which was a bit of a downer. Also the home button was disabled so didn't take you home which was a bit of a poo. Anyway I watched a doco - the Twitter Revolution, which I didn't quite finish because we landed.

iPad Mini entertainment system on the plane

Also there were clouds most of the way, so the view was pretty boring for most of it.

Anyway. Arrived in Sydney then went in search of a bit more substantial breakfast. They don't have a Maccas inside T3 so I had to have Hungry Jacks hash browns :(

Then went and met up with mum. We also saw a couple that had Outback Spirit bags as well, so chatted to them a bit too. They were doing a Cape York tour.

Our next flight was on a 767. Up the back again, as per my preference. Mum was happy that she didn't have to sit in the middle seat next to a random because of the 767's 2-3-2 seat configuration.

Boeing 767-300 VH-OGT at Sydney Airport

Me and Mum on the plane to Cairns

We took off to the south, but again the clouds made the take off pretty boring.

View towards Brighton Le Sands and Kogarah from the plane

They gave us a more substantial breakfast this time, but being at the back of the plane it was quite late arriving, so I was glad I'd had something else to eat earlier.

Watched The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (on full iPads this time) which I quite enjoyed. Mum watched The Other Woman, which looked like it might have been fun. Sadly they didn't have Frozen. They didn't even have the Lego Movie on the iPads, although they had it on the minis on the short flight. Go figure.

After our movies finished we began our descent. Came in from the north but clouds prevented us seeing Cairns before we arrived.

Coastline northwest of Cairns

View towards Cairns

Palm Cove northwest of Cairns

I may have gone and said hi to flight crew after the flight!

Cockpit of the Boeing 767-300 VH-OGT

So picked up our bags, checked the price of the shuttle ($28 for two people), then went and took a cab ($26).

Mum at Cairns Airport

Our hotel is lovely. We have a nice view of the marina and the mountains to the south.

View of the marina from our hotel room

Me on the balcony of our hotel room
Photo by Mum

Now if the sweetie had been here he would have flopped onto the bed and declared it a day. But it was only about midday, so mum and I decided to go for a wander. We got changed out of our winter clothes and into something more appropriate for the tropics and off we went.

After checking out the pool we meandered past the jetty, lagoon, war memorial etc, then headed through town up to the station. Stopped in Cairns Central for a *very* late lunch at Surf and Thai. Which was more like surf and western Chinese, but whatevs.

Cairns Esplanade and waterfront

Fish sculptures in Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Cairns Esplanade and waterfront

Shark warning sign in the water

View from the gun at the war memorial

Naval gun at the war memorial

Cairns Cenotaph

Shangri-La The Marina Hotel

Saint Monica's Cathedral and Bishops House

Saint Monica's Cathedral
Photo by Mum

Interior of Saint Monica's Cathedral

Cairns Station

Then meandered back to the hotel to get changed to go for a swim in the lagoon! Mum has been to Cairns a couple of times but for one reason or another has never managed a swim in the lagoon. It turned out to be quite pleasant. So stayed in there for a little while, then came back to the hotel again.

Peaceful Dove outside the hotel

So this is where I went on a little expedition to get beer, and sat down outside to type up what we've done so far today :)

Me with a beer at the hotel

View of the marina at dusk

It's been quite windy today actually. Which in the tropics is quite a blessing. I'd have been dying otherwise!

Moving on. So after typing up what we'd done so far we went out for another wander. Took some photos of the trees and the lagoon by night - very pretty.

Waterfall in the pool at the hotel

Pretty coloured lighted trees at the esplanade

Fish sculptures in Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Then battled the crowds in town. It had been the Amateurs day at the races, so there were a *lot* of short skirts, crazy high heels and fascinators. We had a quick wander through the Night Markets, Cairns attempt at an Asian-style market to keep the tourists happy. Then we ended up at Coffee Club for some calamari and chocolate cake.