April 2nd, 2025

We had a tour planned for today through Viator but when we woke up we had an e-mail from the tour operator saying that we were the only 2 signed up and they were not canceling the tour yet and hopeful that more people signed up before the tour meeting time at 1pm. Since we had already payed for the tour we could not cancel and find something else to do because we would lose our money so we just had to wait and see. We got off the ship at 10:30 and the day was warm but not quite as humid as yesterday. We were thinking we would go to the freshwater lagoon which is right on the water for some swimming but when we got there it was closed and would not open until noon.

The freshwater public lagoon in Cairns. This is where they encourage everyone to go swimming because they don’t really have any beaches in Cairns and the water is muddy close to shore with very extreme tides. There is also the matter of crocodiles and it not being safe to swim in the muddy water.

Cairns also has a very nice walkway along the coast with lots of sculptures and shaded seating areas and exercise stops. This was one of the sculptures celebrating all the different kinds of sea life.

With the pool closed until noon we wandered around town and enjoyed the beautiful Banyan trees all around town.

More sculptures along the walk and Kathy by one of the larger Banyan trees in town.

We finally got notification that our tour was canceled which was disappointing but a risk you take when you book off the cruise ship. We decided to go to the aquarium since we now had a day with no plans. The aquarium was very nice and was both fresh water and salt water exhibits. The last exhibit was the best which was a giant salt water tank with lots of sharks and rays. They had a tunnel where they went right over the top of your head.

Not a good picture but one of the rays going right over our head.

We spent a couple of hours at the aquarium and then we were hungry so we found a Mexican restaurant.

We had nachos and an assortment of tacos and a pitcher of margaritas. The lime chili salt around the glass rim was very tasty and something we will have to remember for when we get home.

After lunch we did a little shopping and went back to a grocery store to pick up a few items including a 12 pack of diet Sunkist which we were surprised to find. One thing we cannot find in Australia is Reeses peanut butter eggs. We can find regular Reeses cups but not the eggs which are everywhere in the states for Easter.

We finally made it back to the lagoon at 4pm.

You can see how large the lagoon is and the ocean is in the back ground. The water temperature was perfect and we enjoyed the lagoon for quite awhile. As we were drying off they started playing music and lots of people were coming and getting in the pool for a large water aerobics class.

The water aerobics class.

We walked back to the boat along the water and there was a nice breeze. We got back to the boat at 6pm and cooled off and unpacked and read for a bit. At 7 we left the ship again and went for dinner at a brewery right next to where we were docked.

You can see how low the tide gets which is why there is no swimming. Kathy got a “paddle” of beer at the brewery for dinner. We shared an excellent fish and chips basket.

Tomorrow we go to the Great Barrier Reef for the day.