9 Foodie Travels: Cairns, Australia

  

So, one of the best things about being married to someone in the military is that you are always moving!  We have spent the last two years living on Guam, which afforded us some incredible opportunities to travel.  I thought it would be fun to share some of our foodie travels with you, so I'm starting at the very beginning.  Back in 2009, our very first trip and it was a huge check off the bucket list.  Australia!! I have to brag just a for a second, it was only a 5 hour flight.  Amazing.  Ok, now to the food part...

The first night we walked up and down the Esplanade before deciding to eat at Splash.  We had the Roasted Gulf Garlic Bugs with herb, shallot, and aioli as an appetizer.  I know, Bugs?!  We had to ask too.  It's somewhere between a Prawn and a Lobster.  Delish! For our Entrees, I had Barramundi Fish and Chips, and he had the Mahi Mahi.  It was the perfect start to our vacation.

Afterwards, we walked the Esplanade and ended up with an impromptu animal encounter...

Day two we got up early to take a Catamaran out to the Great Barrier Reef for some snorkeling.  This was a dream come true! We only saw one small Black Tip Reef shark though, no Great Whites.   And of course, we did see a Sea Turtle.  (For those Finding Nemo fans out there)

By the time we got back we were exhausted and starving.  We ended up finding Perrotta's at The Gallery which is just outside Cairns Regional Art Gallery.  This was my first experience having Nudi, which is "naked ravioli".  Basically just the ravioli filling, cheese and spinach, simmered in a rich tomato sauce; heaven.  I honestly can't remember what he had, hey I was in Nudi bliss over there. 

Day three, was left for exploring.  

This dinner was my favorite.  I can't remember where exactly we ate...I want to say Rattle N' Hum, but I can't be sure.  This pizza though, oh I will never, ever forget this pizza.  It was called the Zucca.  It was topped with garlic, rosemary, pumpkin and pine nuts.  Absolute perfection.  I have been trying to recreate this pizza.  I would pay anything to go back and have this pizza again. It's just. that. good. 

We took a red-eye back to Guam that night.  It was truly the trip of a lifetime and I will never forget it.