The morning view
GREENS FOR BREAKFAST.
– – – – X
Well, I woke at 7:11am. Sure could’ve done with a 7/11 energy drink to help kick start the day, but I was up. Squatted on the floor for a while, looking about as bleary eyed as little Larissa while I stroked her silky fur.
Once I got outside, I really couldn’t keep my eyes off the vibrant green surrounding me on all sides, even while a pair of boisterous dogs barked at every live thing passing in the street below us.
“OMG OMG. CAR. OMG OMG. DOG. OMG OMG. PERSON!!!”
-The Neighbour’s Dogs
We had breakfast at Wharf One, very near the Cairns Naval base, a cute little boardwalk cafe. I had “the avo” because I’m a millennial Aussie, obviously.
The fig tree a few metres away is so cute, almost like a treehouse the way the boardwalk goes around it and the little playground protrudes from the branches like it always intended to welcome children. I only wish I wasn’t so big anymore, otherwise I’d be all over that adventure!
HIDDEN WATERFALL.
– – – – X
When we got back home Dad took us on a walk further up his street to the top of Bayview Heights. I was trying to hide how out of breath that hill alone made me feel. Under the sweltering sun, breathing water instead of air, I’m just not used to 90% humidity. But then he led us down a “path”. I say that liberally because it was more like a vaguely traceable rain run, and the incline was steeper than housing rates in Melbourne CBD.
It was well worth it for the paradise we found at the bottom. Small but mighty, this waterfall flowed into deep pools of warm welcoming, and we hopped and skipped across the winding creek on a little exploration of seemingly unmarked territory.
After returning home I spent the rest of the afternoon indulging in some well earned relaxation. Drifting round the pool, I enjoyed my surroundings, if not the weather.
Unfortunately I was being attacked by some UV rays while I sat on the verandah, colouring and enjoying the sounds of birds and buzzers. Rookie mistake, in my arrogance I thought I would be fine under the cloudy sky and only avoided the fully fledged sun when it reared its ugly head. A silent killer, the Australian sun.
Still, I enjoyed each creature that found me (or I it), from the key-lime pie coloured butterflies, to the 5 inch lizards scattering stones in their hurry to hide. Geckos and caterpillars are like a brioche ballet, always in abundance.
I did attempt to take a better photo of the sunbird there above, who’s been nesting on the verandah, but she’s a little flighty.
Upon dusk we enjoyed burgers on the patio to the cacophony of bats rising from the trees, accompanied by the orchestral cries of the bloodcurdling curlews. I swear they sound like the ghosts of slaughtered children rising to beg their vengeance.
I also got a terrible shot of this cheeky rhinoceros beetle who obviously has an affliction for all things gay, including my brother, my dad and his partner, and their rainbow-roofed patio.
It was an exciting end to the evening, enjoyed alongside cheap Chardonnays and B-grade movies. Now that I have finally settled into bed, I wish you another goodnight!
Love Gem xx
Hidden Gem 