Vanless in Cairns

Our last day in the van today! Eight glorious weeks of travelling, climbing, surfing, snorkelling, sailing and kayaking are drawing to an end...

It's amazing how much 'stuff' you can accumulate over one summer! It took quite a few hours to take down the posters, empty the cupboards and start packing our equipment away. After the snorkelling trip, we'd managed to pass on a shorty wetsuit (too cold to use it in the UK!) and Clare's surfboard to a very greatful recipient. It's nice to be able to pass things on and this morning we filled our surf bucket with the left over food, wine glasses, the coffee maker and all the other bits and bobs that we'd acquired en-route that could be of use to other travellers. 

They were gradually taken away and distributed to passing campers. One lovely lady was so pleased with her 'gifts' that we received an open invitation to her house next time we are back on this side of the world!

By mid morning, we were packed up, cleaned out and on the road. We went straight to Cairns where, we did some topping up on gas and fuel. But not before stopping to check out the coastal views one last time. 

Because Cairns is so hot, yet the sea side so dangerous, they've gone to the trouble of building an inland lagoon swimming area! It's amazing - a giant swimming pool, complete with white sandy beaches, fountains, lifeguards and a big palm tree lined grassy area that was packed with sunbathers. It seemed rude not to have one last dip.

Finally, it was time to return the van to the depot. It had been a great and reliable companion for the journey, during which it had clocked up just under 6000km under our captaincy! Having dropped our luggage at a hotel first, we took a cab from the depot to the Botanical Gardens, where we took some time out to reflect and recharge in the cafe under the shade of some big ferns and palm trees.

To return to the hotel, we followed a boardwalk through the gardens (which was more of a jungle than gardens really).

There were loads of the spooky looking 'strangling figs', that grow up around a heathy tree and eventually choke them. 

This took us past a salt water lake and (we hoped) towards civilisation and the hotel. 

On reaching the city again, we found a sheltered sunny terrace where we chinked a final trip beer. What a summer. What a journey...