After checking out of the hotel we went downtown to get our rental car.
When we went to collect our car we immediately noticed that our luaggage would not fit in. So we went back to the rental company to swap cars. The friendly staff gave us a free upgrade to a Toyota Klugar. Nice car! And big enough for four large suitcases  (yeah, all that shampoo that three girls need…)

[downtown Cairns]

With our cruiser for the next seventeen days we drove up North along the coast to Palm Cove- and found paradise!  This is hands down the most beautiful place on earth. And we haven’t even seen the Great Barrier Reef yet. 

We even got our own private view into the rainforest, birds and butterflies included.

In the afternoon we went to the beach where we could swim in the ocean for the first time. It’s not stinger season yet and the beach is lifeguard patrolled. The water is a lukewarm 24 degrees and the waves are great. The first part is shallow enough that you can stand at all times.

We ended the day with pizza in our apartment and enjoyed a delicious glass of Australian wine.