Trip to Australia - Day Eleven - February 11, 2018 - Cairns

Enjoyed sleeping in and then we went to explore more of Cairns. We walked to the Esplanade but went the opposite way from yesterday's route. Along the way there are displays which explain the history, important dates, sister cities etc. of Cairns. They have many amenities for their residents and visitors along the Esplanade. There are playgrounds, splash pools, exercise stations, pools and picnic areas for all to enjoy. We then continued back to the harbor but on to the areas we hadn't explored yet. We went as far as the convention center and then turned back for lunch. We had a nice fish and chips lunch along with beer and sparkling wine at the Salt House Restaurant - another suggestion from yesterday's crew. As we made our way home we came upon an art gallery and went in to see the works - I liked some of their nautical pieces.  We also stopped and did some souvenir shopping and got a large frozen coke from McDonalds. It hit the spot since it is 88 degrees and very sunny today. Not sure we're ready to head home to the NNY weather. For dinner, again at our crews suggestion, we went to a noodle restaurant 3 blocks from our hotel called Ganbaranba Noodle Collosseum - Delish - and we were so full we didn't even stop at our favorite little gelato shop. We did stop in and get a bottle of sparkling wine for tomorrow - our last night in Australia.

Views along the Esplanade

Statue commemorating The Great War

Ron trying out an exercise station

Muddy's Splash  Pool

Muddy

Mr. Pelican

Statue about the 1956 Olympic torching carrying that started in Cairns

Large pool for residents to beat the heat

Fig Tree Playground

Convention Center

We happened upon these newlyweds taking pictures

Fish and Chips

Life is good!

Another view of the pool

Views from the Cairns Art Gallery

These are the fruit bats that hang in the trees around our hotel - they are native to this area

and can be found in the mango trees - Yuck! When we looked out the window at 7 this evening
it looked like a horror movie.

Showing off his new hat

My noodles

Another great dinner