I’m off to Cairns (in far north Queensland) for five days for an actuarial convention. I’ve never been there before and I’m really looking forward to it. There is a price to pay since I have to give a paper at the convention, but there will also be some great side trips to the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef.
I’ve been to the airport… 
Nah, it should be great! Are you going diving/snorkelling? Where are you staying?
Lucky dog! I spent a few days in Cairns many years ago. I remember having some great food there, including crocodile! Be sure to catch a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef for some snorkeling, it beats anything available around the States here.
Well I’m back from Cairns. I thought the city itself was a bit of a dump, although it was enlivened quite a lot by the presence of lots of sailors from an American warship that was in town for a bit of R&R.
The convention was great and I did get an opportunity to take a cruise out on to the Reef one afternoon, which I greatly enjoyed.