Daintree National Park

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Hello, back again in Cairns, on my way to Daintree National Park. After a nice and relaxing Saturday with my friends, visiting the local fruit market in Cairns, trying to stay dry as the rains of the tropical wet season were pouring down on us, enjoying some time with the kids, playing ping pong, reading bocks, playing Mau Mau ( a German card game) and wathing them at night, as there parents went to a charity ball, i headed off this morning on a 2 day tour north to Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation. On our way to the NP, our little tour bus stopped at a local Tropical Animal Sanctuary, and we had the chance to feed Kangaroo, see some crocodile, observe the Cassowary and other tropical birds, and basically get a taste for the wildlife that was awaiting us in the rainforest of the Daintree NP. Once we crossed the Daintree River via ferry, we arrived at the National Park and the amazing rainforest engulfed us . Green canopy above, lots of noises coming from the bush, and rain from the heavens above.... it all actually was really mystical. After about an hour drive into the forest, we arrived in Cape Tribulation , a small resort village with a few backpacker hostels, a few hotels and motels, one general store and one pharmacy. The bus dropped me at the Beaches Hostel where i was spending the night, and the rest of the group went on the remainder of the days's tour, which i will get to rejoin tomorrow. I had opted to stay the night to get the chance to explore a bit more of the forest than just a day trip on the bus, and so, after getting organized i set out on foot to explore the beaches and boardwalks through the rainforest that the Cape Tribulation area offers. What an amazing day... the clouds had since made way for beautiful sunshine, and the humity was on full throttle. However, since the Daintree is one of the few places on earth were the rainforest goes directly into the ocean, a nice sea breeze was accompaning me on my walk. After about 14 km on the beach - through the bush- past amazing trees and ferns- through mangrove forests at low tide- seeing spiders and one green tree snake, i made my way back to the hostel to take a shower, and have dinner in the beach House bistro. (it sounds way more extravagent than it was... actually, a bunch of picnic tables on a platform under a huge canvas canopy, with a small open kitchen and a bar is more like it) Since i had run into several other travellers throughout the day, we all congregated in the bistro to exchange stories of the day.... did you see a snake? Did you see any crocs?.... did you see the cassowary run through the campground... etc..... as you can tell, lot's to talk about....

well, another great day... am off to explore the Cape via sea kayak tomorrow..

cheers SL

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Photos

Cassowary
isn't he pretty?