The first few days in Cairns, we don’t do a lot of things. Visit the city center, shopping center, rest, watch TV from the hostel to watch the Olympics, update the website, a small turn in the "lagoon" ... To say a little more, it is true that we spent much time at the hostel, especially since the weather was always so bad: rain uninterrupted. But we had something to do with the website, our travel diaries, and the Olympics on TV! To clear his head and when the weather permitted, we went several times to the mall just minutes from the hostel (it's not easy to move, it's so hot and humid ...). We bought some stuff taking advantage of some special interest (candy to almost 75% reduction, we cannot refuse!). It was also a clothing store with good reduces. It starts we can no longer bear the clothes we have over 3 months, and then some begin to no longer look like much ... So we managed to buy some clothes for not very expensive.

On Saturday, February 20th, we went to the lagoon, the same thing we saw in Brisbane, that is to say, a large outdoor swimming pool, public and free in front of the sea But of course, we could not stay very long because he soon started to rain. Not that the act of getting wet by being in the pool bothers us a lot, but it is annoying for our stuff, as the sarong that was supposed to get dry. But unfortunately he was found soaked. So, we tried to dry as we have in the locker room with the hand dryer. Anais was dressed with the sarong still wet, and Nadège put her clothes on her swimsuit dry. Not very pleasant all that! In town, trying to find food here but they have no specialty other than the "pies" and suddenly we find that Asian restaurants or McDonald ... Not very Australian all that! 

The other 2 nights when we are at the hostel, we returned to the restaurant that offers free lunch, accompanied by the Germans in our dorm (there is one who is happy ...!). The first night we resumed spaghetti with vegetable sauce this time. Then the second night, we offered a little more, allowing us to have more choice in the menu. So, we choose one every 2 schnitzel with tomato sauce and melted cheese on top, with salad and rice (for Anais) or ships (for Nadège). Delicious, indeed! These 2 evening, after dinner, we stay a while at this restaurant which is also a bar (with dance floor). On Friday, there is a good atmosphere, lots of people dancing and the music is nice. Surprisingly, on Saturday evening, there are not many people. There is still a race organized with fish! A fish by country (bar for tourists here, not hard to find people of different nationalities) ^ ^ The game is simple: 2 persons: has in front of her a Plexiglas tube filled of water, then the referee puts the fish at the same time at the beginning of the tubes. The aim is that the fish arrives at the other end as quickly as possible, of course, and the 2 opponents blow with a straw in their respective fish to help it move forward. It is partly a game of chance, but fun to watch! Anais stay a little longer the next 2 nights in this city because she wanted to dance! 

On Sunday, February 21, we move home. A guy from couch surfing is willing to welcome us home for the week. Steeve, in his fifties, is super nice, it comes pick us up at the hostel! Well, it's just a van so we all crowded inside but it does not matter, it is already very nice. He lives in the North a bit further from downtown. Her dog welcome us (too) politely. Very nice, she loves to see new people so she jumped them. And she loves to lick ... We come in and Steeve talk a moment with us. He is super cool, smiling. Then it's time to go for barbecue, organized by people of Couch Surfing. It is planned to the esplanade, where there is the lagoon. It's great here, every 300 meters at the water's edge, there are plates for barbecues available. So, this is the place to meet friends. 

We go around 16:30, and when it happens, there are already the most people. It is all a good fortnight. We brought with us some sausages and drink. There was not hungry right now because it is still early, but there are those who have already started to cook their meat and the smell makes you want! While we were talking a bit around the table, some persons come back from a barbecue. Saying hello, we see that a guy says us something, especially when he exclaims: Oh, but I recognize you! And yes, incredible as it may seem, is actually a person you have already encountered. But not here, in New Zealand. This is actually the U.S.A guy who hitch-hiked to Lake Tekapo. We never imagined see him again here in Cairns, at a meeting of Couch Surfing! Because what the world is small ^ ^. We spent a nice afternoon, even if a little bored. Nadège is happy simply because there is a Quebec's girl who comes during the afternoon. A country to visit later  We went home Steeve early evening, then you watch a film from Ireland. No clear understanding with the accent, but it is a very good film with good music.

Monday, February 22. To change, now it's raining. It's pretty desperate, and suddenly we do not really know what to do. It prepares and then quietly late morning we took the bus to town. Just time to get to the bus stop is 10 minutes walk, and we end up completely soaked ... There is not much in town, a few souvenir shops, then look different agencies we could book a tour in the North for the coming days. As we don’t leave Cairns before February 27, we have time to spend 3 days visiting a few more East Coast. We reserve the tour, we did some shopping and then go home to Steeve. For dinner, we prepare a potato gratin. we have not yet done, but it is not afraid to Anais! Finally, the meal is delicious! Movie before bed. Tomorrow we should get up earlier to leave to Cape Tribulation.