THE TIDE TURNS - FEBRUARY 2020 Blog 1
A new constant has permeated our consciousness, uncertainty. The viral winds blowing south from China have just begun to envelop the mainstream. The first of many impacts to come has arrived; No Chinese Tourists. We are heading, unaware, to a holiday destination which has just begun to feel the devastating impact of this new reality; Far North Queensland ( FNQ ). Our destination? Cairns.
Cairns skyline
The taxi driver's answer to my question was reinforced by our own observation as to how 'quiet' the city was. The question; How's things? The answer; Very quiet, no tourists! This was our first realisation as to how this 'thing' was going to impact on us all in so many different ways. There was still a presence of some overseas tourists, mainly, but not only, Japanese. Already a new normal but strange to us was manifesting itself on the streets of Cairns. Masks.
Another factor impacting on the quietness of the city for both visitors and locals was the weather. The week we were there witnessed record breaking high 30's to 40. Throw in 85% humidity and it's a potent mix. Luckily, believe it or not, our week in SA prior witnessed record mid 40's. The locals were bemused with our exclamations of it being nice coming to a cool change!
Be all that as it may, we made the most of exploring Cairns, Green Island, the coastal strip to Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, and Kuranda scenic rail trip.
Rusty's Markets
Worth a visit
Foreshore bathing (no crocs or stingers)
Dusk on the Marina
Kuranda Scenic Rail & Chair Lift Return
Some scenery from the train
More Scenery
Kuranda Village
Chair Lift Return
Palm Cove, Port Douglas & Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas
Mossman Gorge
Green Island
Green Island Terminal
School of fish
Storm Clouds
