I flew from Uluru to Cairns and drove to Oak Beach. What a transformative experience, thoroughly rewarding, with extremes from a cold, red desert to a tropical, lush coastal habitat.

Lemme be honest, the driver’s seat is still on the wrong side, and the indicator functions as a windshield wiper, especially when I am in a rush. But I make do.

Cairns is not meant to be a transitional city; it ought to be experienced with the clock at a standstill. I was there for all of 15 minutes, longing for 15 days.

The drive to Oak Beach is a slow, sinuous coastal road with frequent roadwork interruptions. It is gorgeous, though, if I had a skilled driver, I would love to enjoy it.

The sunlight fell to the floor, writhing between the wildly swaying trees that densely canopied the road. The light and shadow dance vied for attention, but the heavily trafficked road, with frequent blind spots, demanded full attention.

I stopped at a viewpoint, Rex Lookout, to enjoy a majestic panorama looking at the bay. The feisty winds have stirred the waters that swallowed the shoreline sand and assumed its color.

The Thala Beach Reserve Resort is a doozy. It is a tropical paradise that one would expect in Kauai.

I came here intending to hike; however, the receptionist laid out the lay of the land, and the snakes on the trail were an effective deterrent. I have been not only coaxed but coerced into decadence; the Great Barrier Reef it is.

Walking on the beach, part of the resort property, I befriended a rather forward older beauty. At 12, she retained amazing agility and insisted that I keep throwing her the wooden stick, which she would unfailingly catch in an acrobatic jump. She didn’t tell me her name, a canine and kind one.

I enjoyed the dinner at the resort restaurant, admiring the changing colors of the setting Sun on the tropical jungle, embroidering a tumultuous sea.

The retreating Sun’s blush crimsoned the mountainous clouds on the far horizon.

All in all, a fairly decent day.

Barrier Reef tomorrow.

– brij