🇦🇺 My $1200 Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Getaway

"From textbooks to reality—I finally saw the reef!" 🌊✨ 🐠 First-Time Snorkeler’s Diary GBR snorkeling: Mind-blown by colorful corals & fish! (But ouch—sunburned despite sunscreen ☀️🔥) Kuranda Rainforest: Felt too touristy (like Sydney’s Blue Mountains). Palm Cove: Meh, but spotted wild wallabies hopping in gangs! 🦘 🏝️ Fitzroy Island Hits & Misses Snorkeling: Few corals + sharp rocks 🪨 (wear water shoes!). Glass-bottom boat: Saved the day—saw turtles! 🐢 Buffet: "White people food at its worst" 😅 (only prawns & fruit were edible). 🌆 Cairns City Vibes Beach: Not blue, but the lagoon pool is pretty! Food scene: Loved the Thai, noodles, Japanese skewers 🍢 (huge Asian community!). #Australia #Cairns #GreatBarrierReef #Diving #TravelDiaries