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As the sun dipped below the horizon along the Cairns esplanade, I captured a 360 panorama at the Cenotaph during the tranquil transition from day to night. The warm hues of dusk painted the sky, casting a serene glow on the surrounding scene. People strolled leisurely, their silhouettes etched against the fading light, creating a harmonious blend of movement and stillness. The Cairns RSL club, just across the way, hinted at shared histories and community bonds. Amidst the gentle hum of conversations and the distant lull of waves, the Cenotaph stood as a solemn sentinel, witnessing the ebb and flow of life. This snapshot froze a moment in time—a tapestry of natural beauty, human connection, and historical significance—inviting contemplation on the intersection of past and present along the esplanade at dusk.
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There are no kangaroos in Austria. We're talking about Australia, the world's smallest continent. That being cleared up, let's dive right in! Australia is a sovereign state under the Commonwealth of Nations, which is in turn overseen by Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. The continent was first sighted and charted by the Dutch in 1606. Captain James Cook of Britain came along in the next century to claim it for Britain and name it "New South Wales." Shortly thereafter it was declared to be a penal colony full of nothing but criminals and convicts, giving it the crap reputation you may have heard at your last cocktail party. This rumor ignores 40,000 years of pre-European human history, especially the Aboriginal concept of Dreamtime, an interesting explanation of physical and spiritual reality. The two biggest cities in Australia are Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is more for business, Melbourne for arts. But that's painting in very broad strokes. Take a whirl around the panoramas to see for yourself! Text by Steve Smith.