On the road again

Today was notable for two things. First, the difference between our experience of Apollo Motorhome in Auckland and Cairns (horrible versus great). And the motorhome, although the same model, was much newer and cleaner, with brand new curtains, camping chairs, and kitchen equipment; and they gave us a free helpful starter pack (tea bags, washing up liquid etc). Plus air conditioning! Very good. We signed the papers, and drove off happily, pleased to be roamers once more.

Our destination was a short hop up the coast - an amazingly beautiful white-sand-beached, palm-fringed, lush-mountained, completely deserted coast. We parked up in a campsite with a view of the beach, and I unpacked and made the beds while Kevin and Jemima swam in the pool. Then a lovely family walk on the beach in the early evening, chasing tiny, very speedy crabs. A walk only - you can't swim in the sea from November to May because of the marine jellyfish, some of which can kill you. They did have an enormous "stinger net", a huge contraption with a net hung from floats fixed out into the sea, creating a supposedly stinger-free zone; but there were lots of caveats up about how you might still die. The beach did look stunning though.

So then it was dinner time. We drove two minutes down the coast to chi chi Palm Cove, where the rich Cairns-ites live - and it was absolutely lovely. An immaculate grassy esplanade meandering along the perfect tropical beach (apart from the "don't get killed by jellyfish or crocodiles" signs), with an array of swish-looking restaurants across the road. With unerring judgement, Kevin led us into Vivo, and the second notable thing: the best meal of the trip so far: beef tartare for me, a spinach, pumpkin and feta pastry for him, and then seafood paella for us both, with steak and chips for Jemima. Best paella ever? Possibly - and we've had a few. Desserts didn't quite match up, but as a set menu including a glass of wine at $49 (£30) for three courses, we forgave them. And rolled merrily home. I am enjoying Australia very much so far, (despite the number of things that can kill you).

 

Ellis Beach:

 

Palm Cove:

 

Another photo of me drinking a Sauvignon Blanc: