Monday - Cairns

 Up again at 6 a.m. to finish blogging and grab our coffees... see a routine here! 

As our ship stayed anchored of the coast of Cairns overnight, we caught the 9:20 tender back into Yorkey’s Knob and it was packed with lots of people doing shore excursions through both the ship as well as privately.  Once on land, everyone headed to their respective busses destined for various locations... lots going to Palm Cove. 

Nice comfortable tenders

Tour busses lined up

Marina

Kelly popped over to the little market that was set up on the yacht club's huge deck next door to the busses. There was one lady in particular whom she had chatted with about certain items so back she went. 

After the goods were purchased, we jumped on the cruise supplied free shuttle into the heart of Cairns. The bus arrived safely downtown at 10:30. Kelly had said she needs something at Meyers (code for going to the huge mall and shop!) so off we trekked... only 13 short minutes and we were in Meyers and subsequently the largest retail space in Cairns.... funny how that works. I was watching all the men loiter outside the shops ha... like me. After an hour of cruising through the mall, we popped into a pharmacy and picked up a few items, toothpaste, cough drops etc.

We walked back toward the esplanade via Shields Street (pedestrian walkway with big trees etc.) and found ourselves out near the big splash pool. It was raining at this time but luckily it stopped after a few minutes. 

We had lunch at Boardwalk Social on the waterfront esplanade. It’s nice and close to the bus pickup as well and gave us some nice views of the dreary clouds outside. Fish & chips for both of us and it was very tasty.

 

After lunch we walked the boardwalk again and then headed to the shuttle bus for our trip back to the tenders in Yorkey's Knob.

 

 

Back to the ship.... on the buss at 1:22... on the tender at 1:52 & on the ship at 2:26!

Not too bad for a trip into town and back. We each relaxed a bit and the got ready for the next activity of the day. We have the "Captain's Club Elite Cocktail Session" from 5 til 7 p.m. tonight in the Eden Room. Very nice. Not sure why but we will accept any freebies willingly!! Especially in Eden.

All cleaned up, we headed to the back of the ship to enjoy our cocktail hour(s) and schmooze with the crew there. Lots of folks were there getting free drinks and the bartenders were super busy as one would expect. We grabbed a drink and spotted Bill and Nolene sitting on a couch. We joined them and shortly afterwards Avis arrived. George also came a few minutes later.

We had a great time chatting to these folks along with some others about recent excursions and the plans for tomorrows stop in Port Douglas. We made sure the bartenders earned their keep at this event.

Off to Cosmopolitan for dinner but they could not accommodate a table for six at the time so, after a call to Tuscan, we were ushered over to that dinning room. Quickly seated ahead of the queue, we enjoyed a nice meal and conversation. 

 

A quick stop at the casino followed but there was not a lot of luck going around so it was off to the room and our bed.

 

Steps 10,900