It's pronounced "Cans"

Cairns.

If Cancun had a giant reef and huge rainforest right next to it, I think it would be Cairns.  It's a completely touristy town, full of travel agencies, bars, hostels/hotels, and cheap restaurants.  It's right on the beach, there are mountains within viewing distance, and most of the buildings in the main area are not high rises, so it has this beach town atmosphere.

Oh yeah, and there's a giant free pool, called "the lagoon" in the middle of the city.  It's open 24 hours, and it's awesome.  Especially when it's this bloody hot outside. 

You all know me, and I'm not into the Cancun drink till you drop scene, but lounging in a pool at 11PM on a night with a full moon is pretty damn cool, getting out to have a drink with two Swiss, one Italian, and one French guy playing guitar...  It's just got that kinda vibe to it.  Very chill, and very international.  Everyone seems to come here, and just end up staying (my roommate is a Cop from the UK, and he's been staying here weeks longer than planned because he's fallen for the girl who works the front desk...), because it's the type of town where beach bumming is a lifestyle that is viable.  You get a job at a restaurant/hostel, and you work to live.  (Don't worry, I'm coming back... I'm not that much of a beach bum, but it is nice to have those days on this trip)

I've got a 3 day 2 night sailboat cruise to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow, and I'm headed to Cape Tribulation (Where the rainforest meets the ocean) for 3 days after that, so my days in Cairns will be full.  But, while here, hanging out with my roommate, his girl/the front desk manager, and other random people that travelling seems to bring together.  There are free public barbecues, so I'm making dinner (of course) tonight for everyone, although the drinking will have to be curbed.  The security is strict around the Esplanade, with tons of cameras, and guards patrolling at night.

Last night, we were sitting, drinking some wine, and this Aboriginal guy and his friend come sit down, very drunk, and start bitching about their lot in life.  He hates what the white man has done to his people, but he doesn't do anything about it except drink and complain, especially since the government gives him a check every week.  It's kinda sad how it works, and I'm sure it's no different with the Native Americans in the US.  He has huge scars on his belly, which he attributes to the KKK, and it seems to be a Black vs. White thing for him always.  We spent 30 minutes telling him how not all white people are part of the KKK, and the Swiss girl was trying to convince him that revolution was the answer, and that she will stand behind him when they start rising against the government.  Yay for anarchists!

She was on call (as the night manager), and got a call from her boss, because the A/C had gone off in the entire hostel, and she wasn't inside (she was right outside).  We go back, and a fuse had blown, but they wouldn't take the help of an Electrical Engineer from LA who was trying to help (makes sense, they can't make a guest liable...).  The A/C eventually went on, but we were sitting outside, eating kebabs and chatting (and playing more guituar) with the whole group, until I decided to call it a night.  The Swiss Revolutionary goes "you're going to sleep without A/C?"

Ha.  As long as the revolution is done at a comfortable temperature, she's all for it.

Alright, time to go lounge by the pool a bit more...