If one could
imagine a college spring break, Gilligan’s would have been a perfect
example. This place was party central. Local bands would come in six days a week;
the partying would last until 5 the next morning, alcoholic drink specials
galore, a pool with volleyball net, a sandy beach next to the pool, and even a
waterfall going into the pool. This
place was an excellent spot to unwind for a few days. Even for one who does not drink, there was much to do in Cairns.
During my final
day in Cairns (really, Australia) I walked around and saw the beauty of
Cairns. My sightseeing included the Cairns
Botanical Gardens, hiking the red and blue arrow circuits (it is supposed to
take 5-6 hours, but I did it in 2.5 hours), and the Cairns Esplanade
walkway. The sights were excellent, from
hiking through forests through seeing a beach looking out into the Great
Barrier Reef.
What surprised
me about Cairns was the historical importance of the city. During World War II, Cairns was a base for
Allied forces before going into Japanese-occupied territory. Along the Esplanade walkway, memorials and plaques were dedicated to those in the service from a few Allied countries. The countries included Australia, USA, and even New Zealand. Many of the buildings from the WWII era still stand today.