Day 6 - Good Bye Sydney, Hello Cairns

Day 6 was a travel day. Fighting off the symptoms of a long last night in Sydney, we boarded our three hour flight up Australia's east coast to Cairns (pronounced Cans), the main launching point for Great Barrier Reef excursions. We arrived around noon, checked into the hotel and were in the water by 2pm.


Matt, Mo and Greg at the Sydney airport looking a bit fatigued after tearing up the town for four days.


Mo says good bye to Sydney.


Travel In Sandals touches down in Cairns on the northeast coast of Australia, best known for being the launching spot for Great Barrier Reef excursions.

Matt enjoying the view from the Cairns hotel.

View of the beautiful Cairns bay.


Instead of a traditional beach, the main city of Cairns has a lagoon. Our cab driver said it's because the Aussies and Americans destroyed the beach area launching ships during WW II. The lagoon is basically a massive shallow pool that over looks the ocean and acts as a fun social daytime gathering spot for the backpackers around town. We hung in the lagoon for a few hours relaxing in the sun and catching some well needed rest...our livers were very appreciative.

Mo and Dave check out the Cairns lagoon.

Lounging in the lagoon.

Mo, Greg and Dave having some underwater photo fun.

Mo down under.

Taking in the beautiful views of the Cairns mountains and ocean.

Despite the crazy partying and somewhat unhealthy eating habits, the boys are staying in shape...sort of.

The beautiful Rochelle helps the Travel In Sandals gang book their reef adventure.


The night in Cairns consisted of a delicious Thai food dinner and a couple drinks at a local watering hole...at least that's how it started. Just our luck the watering hole we went to called the Woolshed was 2-for-1 drinks to start, followed by a WET T-SHIRT contest! Here's to wet t-shirt Wednesdays and seeing cans in Cairns!

Matt complying with the local Cairns dress code...capri jeans!

"Wet T-Shirt Wednesday" stamps.

Uhhhh...nice necklace?!?!?!

Matt, Greg, Mo and a new Irish friend take a late night stroll in Cairns.



Day seven is a full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving adventure. Nemo here we come!!