Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Because when you pronounce the “R” in “Cairns” the locals genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about.
Seriously people, it’s a word. In our common language. You can look it up.
Who uses a silent “R”!?!?!
They have this giant outside pool right next to the ocean that anyone can use and the fish sculptures are a symbol of the city.
Oh, and just in case you’re asking. “Guys? Why do they have a giant public pool right next to the ocean? Can’t people just swim in the ocean?”
Why yes, yes they could. Right up to the moment where the giant crocodiles that are all over the place ate them.
Which would of course lead you to then ask “Guys, didn’t you just go diving in that water?”
Yeah, well the dive company said the crocs don’t go out to the reef. It’s far away and stuff.
So this is what a few days in Cairns is like when we weren’t on the boat
Cairns is also where we part ways with Chris. After 3 months of professional ski-bumming, a few days pushing cars, FAUX-luru, the Great Barrier Reef and one heck of a long roadtrip mostly spent eating “lentils of unique taste” and swerving to avoid suicidal kangaroos and random wildfires – well, needless to say good times were had by all.
After Chris took off we got down to business. Because remember when we talked about tending a bar out in the outback? Well, with only a few months left on our visas we were on our last chance to make that happen.
But first, In order to get a job at a bar we needed to get certified in “Responsible service of Alcohol.” There’s a course and a test and everything! Being as it was an online class with a test and the notes would not be accessible, Greg asked Tiffany where his notepad was so he could take notes.
Her response –
…two days later we off to serve beers, responsibly mind you, to the parched inhabitants of the remote corners of tropical Australia.
Greg and Tiffany are traveling around the world on sailing yachts and keep a video blog of their (mis)adventures. If sailing to Tahiti on a 44 ft sailboat, 3-day delays for wine tastings, getting pooped on by seagulls, opening coconuts with dull machetes, sailing past tornadoes and ukulele Christmas carols are for you, then check them out at www.CoastGuardCouple.com!
Okay . . . now are you both bartenders in tropical Australia?
Did you see any parrots while walking around Cairns (CANS)? While we were there waiting to get on our liveaboard dive boat, we traveled up into the highlands to see several parrots species.
The Australian dollar is doing well against the American dollar. Our time in Australia saw a more favorable exchange rate for Americans. I guess that’s why they charged us a 18% surcharge on the Spoilsport liveaboard dive boat. We were told that they charge Americans and Japanese 18% more because “they can afford it,” this according to Mike Ball Diving.
Yes, yes we are 😉
Oh we saw some birds. lots of em – don’t worry vids are inbound 😉
Yeah we noticed the varying pay scale for different peoples, it did not please us. Also, funny how now that the Aussie dollar is doing so well and they are the ones who “can afford it” that their prices have not come down…
Ah well, when you can’t beat em, work for ’em and exploit their economic advantage as your own! 😉
Amen brother to that! I’m now wondering if Mike Ball is still overcharging Americans? Its funny because we also did the Great Barrier Reef with the Explorer boats, and we ALL paid the same amount.
My husband was wondering how y’all got a worker’s permit? Don’t they have Australian “bartenders.” LOL!