Arrival - Cairns 10th April

David Simpson, the other IBMer taking part with me in this adventure spotted me with no troubles. We made our way to gate 38 and pretty easily recognised the Westpac secondees, lap top bags and beaming faces shaking hands. I immediately hopped up and held out my hand, establishing the common link, yes we too are part of the Cape York Program. (above - 1st night w/ the crew)

I spent the flight gazing out at the patchwork ground thousands of miles below and revisiting Noel Pearson’s book, ‘Our Right to Take responsibility’ that was posted to all secondees weeks earlier. Vit Koci (Program Manager) waits at the Arrival gate at Cairns holding a sign that proved to be unnecessary. Most of us know who is and for those that don’t, emerging as one group, there is no chance for confusion. First observation, everyone is lovely, every one of us seems very different but everyone one seems lovely – after all, we all came here for the same reason. Over dinner and beers amongst the niceties and sundry getting to know you banter we share our excitement, our fear our pride of the experience to come. For me, I took a night cap ‘Johno's blues bar’, bid my goodbyes and then back to the hotel - a room with fourteen towels, a spa, a safety sign telling me to “use bathmat when floor is wet”, a plasma TV and fake flowers for “atmosphere”. This is another world but not the one I referred to in anticipation in my first entry . The first two nights are spent in Cairns, a city of touristic shops selling didgeridoos and gimpy souvenirs, a place catered for drunken backpackers, lame honeymooners and retired adventurers. But hey, I’ve been here one night I’m in a new place with great company, I’m not complaining, just being cynical…perhaps it’s time for bed.