On to Cairns

After a pancake breakfast (made by a machine -- you push a button, wait 2 minutes, pancake drops out -- quite the novelty for everyone at the fine Legends Buffet). Even I sampled one; great concept, shaky on the output. Will stick w/ the line cook approach.

After a short flight (let's face it -- a couple hours is nothing compared to the trek from Delhi to Brisbane) we found ourselves in Cairns and stuck in a holiday parade. Somewhere ahead Santa was canvassing for EMS donations, much to the consternation of our hotel shuttle bus driver.

Our hotel was located on the Esplanade, next to the coast -- a gorgeous area with mountain surroundings. Packed with bike and walking paths, tennis courts, skate boarding park and cool playgrounds, we explored, steering clear of the water as Claire found a sign warning of snap-happy crocodiles. We didn't see any of said creatures, but spied plenty of pelicans and other birds.

After hitting the hotel pool with swim up bar (great concept for parent traveling w/ small children) we headed back to the Esplanade for good Italian al fresco.