Flying from Japan, it was cheaper to fly to Cairns than a lot of other options along the east coast, and I had read that Cairns was a superb gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. So, that’s what I opted for.

My flight had arrived at 5 am, and it took me about an hour to get through immigration and walk and hitchhike into town. My couchsurfing host had left the door open for me in anticipation of my early arrival, so I walked in, laid on the couch, and passed out. Continue reading →