Cairns, Australia

Cairns came right after Sydney, and it reminded me very quickly of something I had already learned in Panama City. Going to a tropical place in the middle of summer means rain, humidity, and the kind of warm air that clings to you the moment you step outside. At first it felt like a challenge, but the city had a way of turning those conditions into part of its charm.

Despite the weather, Cairns became one of the more memorable stops of the trip. A day at Palm Cove Beach offered exactly the kind of calm I needed, with soft waves and a coastline that felt far removed from the busy rhythm of the city. Later, exploring the local breweries and distillery added a different kind of pleasure. Coral Sea Brewing Company, Hemingway’s Brewery, and Wolf Lane Distillery each had their own character, and tasting my way through them became an unexpectedly fun way to spend the evenings.

But nothing compared to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling there was the absolute highlight, the kind of experience that stays with you long after you leave. The colours, the movement, the sense of being inside a completely different world made it feel almost unreal. It was one of those rare moments where travel delivers exactly what you hoped for and a little more.

Cairns may have been hot, wet, and heavy with humidity, but it offered some of the most vivid memories of the entire journey. Sometimes the weather is just background noise, and the real story happens in the water, on the beach, and in the small discoveries along the way.