Often asked, “Why did you settle in Cairns?”, I’ll let the photos of our lifestyle answer that question. I have travelled extensively and lived in four other countries. My career could have produced many more academic and financial rewards if I lived else where, but, I love my lifestyle and I love Cairns. I also particularly love Old Queenslanders (the style of house we live in – old, all timber, and suited to a tropical lifestyle)

Given we are essentially outdoor livers, we naturally have our kitchen outside, on our verandah (our house has wide sweeping verandahs all the way around). There is no other kitchen upstairs – this is where I cook.

With daily views like the next few, why on earth would I want to cook in a closed in room with a smallish window? Not only does my kitchen feed the family, it also feeds our souls. I NEVER get sick of the views and of the communion with tropical nature.

Even when we have to be inside, we still do get some pretty groovy views. This is a fan palm right outside the window of my downstairs office.

With outside living comes the usual exposure to wild life. This is what I was greeted with this week. While I coped, I am glad that Paul was not home as he is less snake friendly than I am

How do you live? In the interests of social understanding I am keen to learn how others live their family life. If you’ve blogged about your lifestyle, leave the link in the comments so that I can come and have a look.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed your virtual tour of our outside lifestyle – we do also have a whole other inside life  but we’re rarely inside so we won’t even bother with that.