After my classes in Sydney were over, Cecile and I boarded a plane to Cairns for two days of R and R before driving to Townsville to set up for the Stitches and Craft Show. Cairns, as you can see on the map, is on the northeast coast of Australia and was one of the many places Captain Cook (below) put on the map.
After we checked in to the hotel, around the corner from the captain, we drove north to Palm Cove. 
It was paradise, except for this little detail…
Luckily it was too early for the tiny deadly irukanji jellyfish, that follow the warmer currants and come south as it gets closer to summer around November, referred to as marine stingers.
It was so fun walking along and watching little clams dig themselves into the sand.
After a barefoot walk along the shore in warm tropical waters we indulged in tiger prawns and squid salad and I had a fresh lychee martini while soft jazz played in the background
and we looked out on this beautiful view. It doesn’t get much better.
Australian trees fascinate me, with bark resembling paper (they use the bark of this tree to make beautiful collaged illustrations) and others with limbs that grow downward from the branches into the ground,
and the flowers are gorgeous too.
One of the main crops in this part of Australia is sugar cane. The bright green fields with dense foliage covered mountains in the background are so beautiful. 
While picking up a few breakfast items at the grocery store I found this Aussie twist on beef jerky.
Next up, my trip to the great barrier Reef.