A View Of Cairns

The building Lyndon has helped construct in Cairns city, is nearing completion. People have been moving into their flash apartments and penthouses, and the hotel section is up and running.

We went in to his work on Sunday so I could have a look around at the near completed construction work. And to take some photos. The view from Level 13 (the highest level) is wonderful with views of the Coral Sea reaching to The Great Barrier Reef, the Marina, the lagoon, the city center and the surrounding rainforest clad mountains...

This above snap is of (besides the large carpark) the bay Cairns is situated along. It is not a beach but rather mudflats, which can sometimes be a little smelly. The tide here goes in and out but walking alongside the boardwalk which adorns the flats, you can usually spot an abundance of wildlife (mud crabs, fish, pelicans). The light blue patch there above the carpark is the gorgeous lagoon, which is a hub for all the beautiful people. The white building on the right is part of the Shangri-La Hotel complex.

Ahh, the lovely Marina/Reef Terminal. This is where the large boats take hoards of cashed up people out onto the Reef. Some trips take up to 2 hours to reach particular areas of the Reef.

This is looking westerly over the City skyline. Yep - no high rises here (the highest complex is the one Lyndon has been working on!) but plenty of hotels and apartment blocks. And shops. And drinking places.

Cairns population has been steadily growing and latest reports state that Cairns has the fastest growing population in Australia (there is so much employment opportunities available up here. We are prime example!) Once a sleepy little northern town, it is now building into a hustling little city with the fifth busiest airport (for both domestic and international) in Australia.

I love Cairns for its diversity of people. I love it for its tourism and for its tourists. I have never seen (nor lived in for that matter) a place like it. No where reminds me of somewhere else. It has a heart all of its own. It has this laid-back, leisurely feel with a great outdoor lifestyle. People don't worry about the little things in life, it's all "She'll be right mate" and it is not unusual to spy the pubs bustling with early morning drinkers.

And sure, there are a couple of things I don't like about the place (which includes the never-ending rain sometimes for weeks on end) but overall it is a great place to visit and a wonderful place to live.

For the time being.