I don’t usually get colds. When I do, they’re pretty bad, but usually I tend to be pretty healthy. So I should have guessed that my immune system would conspire against me to get sick the very week I was signed up for a 5-day PADI learn to scuba course on the
Great Barrier Reef. I took a chance in attending my first day of the course, knowing that they conduct a medical to ensure your level of fitness upon starting the course. And I got a clean bill of health too…until the doctor failed my dive medical because he thought I’d have trouble with my ears due to my flu. This gave me no option but to cancel the course, thankfully giving me a full refund, and I suddenly found myself with 5 free days in Cairns. Needless to say, I had an instant craving for chai tea and some travel brochures. Cairns also has a pretty impressive free swimming lagoon, so I thought I’d work on my tan.

Yes, I’m a little upset at the lost chance to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef. Who wouldn’t be? But at least due to the change in my itinerary, I have some freetime to get over my cold. And anyway, I don’t think I’ll have a problem finding something to occupy myself…I’ve already found a cool cafe within a short walk of my hostel. This little change of plans has also freed up a few days to go snorkelling on the reef instead or have a go at white water rafting, all activities that I can do in Cairns.

Oh really, come on, people – do you really think I would waste my entire holiday in Australia hidden in a bookstore? Of course not! …Just an hour or so each day will suffice…