Cairns, Queensland March 3 - 6 Then Aunt Elaine and Uncle Hec at Dumbalk March 7

We arrived in Cairns on a Jetstar flight from Sydney at 2:00 in the afternoon. Cairns (pronounced Cans with a nasally "n") is at the very top of Australia and is tropical, however, the temps while we were there were in the low 80's with little humidity.

Mary's sister Kali, who lives in the area, picked us up and surprised us with a hamper of goodies and supplies. Here's the short list:  Rusty's markets for pastries, fruit, salads; rye sourdough bread from Le Crouet at Freshwater; pastries from Frenchies Patisserie  and date scones from Kewarra Cafe - basket of goodies - eggs, bacon, mushroom, pate' bread, butter, cheese and biscuits, fruit, bread knife - umbrella - water bottles x 2  insect repellant, citronella candles. We were so well supplied that we could have just stayed on our balcony overlooking the bay. There was a bottle shop just below us. it was heaven!

Balcony view at night

View the next morning

This Airbnb - a one bedroom apartment with the balcony cost $83 a night. I want to move here!

The first evening we went out to explore Cairns. I was a tiny bit tired after the "forced march" through Sydney we'd experienced. So I was happy that there were all kinds of restaurants close by. We chose a place favored by Mary's sister Elizabeth when she was here - Tha Fish.

Mary and Kali about to tuck into a big plate of battered "whitebait." Basically, they were about to eat tiny fish the fishermen rejected!

The walk around Cairns after supper was beautiful. The next day Mary and I were up early for a walk along the Esplanade. The views were stunning.

 I was just a tiny bit freaked out by the signs posted all along the walk. Man-eating crocodiles inhabit this area - injury or death? I decided to stay off the beach.

Crocodiles that aren't nice!

Kali was a great tour guide and took us all over the area. We had a lovely picnic up in the rain forest. The views were just fabulous.

Kali put together a terrific picnic lunch: Caprese salad, green salad, kale salad,
and homemade spinach ricotta capsicum fritattas and houmous with veggies

The view!

Goomboora Park Brinsmead - then to Barren Gorge, then picnic lunch - at Lake Placid - up to Kuranda - secret lookout then Barren Falls

In the evening, Mary and I ate fish and chips on our balcony.

The next day, Kali was at our apartment at 7:00 AM and we were off for the day. Our first stop was - Crystal Cascades - where we took a walk along a rushing stream. There were pools along the way that were so inviting that Kali and I jumped in. The water was warm and soft.

Kali assured me there were no crocodiles here!

Afterward, we stopped at Limberlost  Cafe for breakfast. The cafe is in a nursery so we were surrounded by greenery. Then off to Trinity Beach for a beautiful walk.

Trinity Beach

We finished the day at the Raw Prawn and celebrated Kali's birthday there. More stunning views of the bay from our table.

DUMBALK

One thing we definitely wanted to do was visit Mary's Aunt and Uncle - Elaine and Hec near her childhood home. Elaine and Hec will be celebrating their 93rd birthday soon and they are both so fun and sharp the time just flew. It was like a little reunion, preparing me for the big gathering of hundreds of family members coming up this Sunday in Nathalia.

I thought the three in front were "stunners"

We are in the Dandenong Ranges, right on Mount Dandenong. Stay tuned.

Who's that beauty with the big sunnies?