Aug 4, 2011 | root_ks8kzico

Last night in Cairns

Today we were on our own until noon, when Laurie P. picked me up for lunch and a few accommodation inspections — I have to work some of the time while I'm here.  This evening we joined Laurie P. and Maggie for one last dinner. Maggie is the marine biologist/zoologist that our partners work with here in Cairns. She was a joy to meet. Now it is 11 p.m. on Thursday evening and the car comes for us at 4:15 a.m. in the morning — I still need to pack, so I think I’ll sign off for tonight. Tomorrow my faithful companions, Marylin and Yvette, head back to the U.S. and I head southwest to Adelaide to visit with my friends Maree and Jono and get a few snuggles from their eight month old son, Jedediah!

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A Galapagos Penguin mid-jump over volcanic rock and seawater.
A llama stands on a path with the stone walls of an archaeological site in the background.
A woolly monkey balances in the branches of a tree, its limbs outstretched and tail wrapped around a branch overhead.
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Multiple people on a forest trail look through binoculars and scopes at something outside the frame.
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A golden lion tamarin sits on a tree branch.
Close-up of a king protea in bloom.
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A sea turtle uses its fin to grasp onto another turtle in the water.
Underwater shot of a person snorkeling near a large school of fish.