G-day, Mate! Finally, we're in the Land Down Under!

G'day, Mate!  Finally, we're in the Land Down Under!

October 23, 2014

The ONLY reason we didn't have to be dragged off the Solstice kicking and screaming, is that we are REALLY excited to finally arrive in Australia!  We are docked directly next door to the Sydney Opera House amidst the most glorious sunshine and warmth!  Unfortunately, the harbor is under-going construction and we had to walk a block or two for our driver to pick us up.  Eventually, we all connected and headed to the Sydney Airport.

Since our flight wasn't for a couple of hours, we enjoyed coffee in the free wifi area, and caught up on emails, Facebook, etc.  Finally, we boarded our Virgin Australia flight for Cairns.  Every journey needs an adventure, and today, we certainly had ours.  As we're taking off, a very drunk Russian guy decides to get up and use the restroom.  The male flight attendant just about tackled the passenger, returns him to his seat, and lectures him on safety/seat belts, etc.  Two minutes later, the same repeated scene.  Now, I'm getting annoyed since this is all taking place two rows behind us.  The flight attendant tells the Russian guy that if he doesn't sit down, the pilot will turn the plane around and return to Atlanta.  The guy sits down, and I give him the meanest teacher took I could muster, meanwhile, I'm thinking, "Buddy, I've waited a REALLY long time to see The Great Barrier reef, and I'm two hours away from my destination.  If you don't sit down, I'm going to take you down!"  Luckily, he falls asleep, or passes out, who knows/cares, and we continue.

Cairns is a lush tropical seaside town, loaded with personality!  Our hotel, The Pullman, is luxury PLUS.  We settle in, only to discover that we need an adapter for our multiple American appliances.  We venture into the center of city, find our adapter, enjoy a delicious baramundi (Australian fish) dinner, then head back to the hotel for a good night's rest.