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Grotto
Fairy Grotto at Chillagoe Limestone Caves, very pretty with good lighting! G'Day mates
Yesterday we were at a rodeo, this morning we are visiting one of the limestone caves, for which Chilligoe is well known. The ranger who takes on the tour is very pleasant and informative, the stalactites and stalagmites are very impressive as are all the caverns and false floors.
But as soon as the tour is over, it’s back on the road! Traveling from Chillagoe the road alternates between gravel and bitumen, and we just can’t keep up with Karl in his truck, however he waits for us, good job as we’re not sure where we are going!!!! From Cairns we have traveled up through the Tablelands and into Savannah to get to Chillagoe.. Savannah is grazing country and the Tablelands is sugarcane and fruit growing country particularly mangoes, it’s a shame they are not in season, one of my favourite fruit! Driver reviver (coffee stop) at Dimbulah and then it’s on past Mareeba and Mt Molloy to Mossman and eventually the Daintree River, which we cross using the ferry onto Cape Tribulation. This is partly National Park and has some of oldest tropical rainforest in the world. John, a judo club member takes us to his parents house,
Cow Bay
Cow Bay on Cape Tribulation, We obviously didn't see it at its best. for a coffee, this is surrounded by thick forest and at the bottom of the garden is a waterfall dropping into a beautifully clear pool and brook with fish in it. Also in the garden was Cassowary scat containing very big seeds. These are the 3rd tallest bird in the world and usually weigh in at the heaviest!! They are also very aggressive by nature, having a large hard knob on the top of their head and a very long and sharp talon on each foot, definitely not to be messed with. As Karl and Sophie confirmed, as they had met one on a walk and had to back off very quietly, not being able to turn around until they were out of it’s sight, they are both endangered and dangerous!!
The humidity is very high here we know that we would not like to live in this type of climate, nothing ever feels dry or aired! From there we go down to Cow Bay, a picturesque beach when the weather is fine. Sadly it’s winter and there’s a storm brewing, the sea has a swell and the sand if being thrown up taking away the blueness of the water.
Mooring the Boat
Despite teh beautiful colour of the ocean, the weather wasn't that good and there was quite a swell, so mooring the boat wasn't always easy!! Also there’s an inlet with mangroves at the end of the beach and a real possibility of crocodiles being there, as well as the stingers (jellyfish) in the water!!!
By now it’s started to go dark and we have a 2 hour drive back to Cairns!!
Plus we have to get ready to go diving tomorrow, we are being collected at 7.30am.
Karl & Sophia order pizza for supper and very welcome it is too, thank you both!
Next morning bright and early we are collected by Deep Sea Divers Den, of Cairns and taken to the boat, Reef Quest. We travel out through rough seas, (lots of little brown bags are used during this trip), this is the storm that was brewing last night, and the forecast is for much the same over the next couple of days!!
We did 2 dives off this boat and have a great lunch before transferring to our live-aboard, Sea Quest (just for the 1 night). Another dive from this boat before dinner, and then we do a night dive before we have our pudding of apple crumble, custard and ice-cream!! Diving is such hard work!!!! Our cabin is comfortably adequate, 2 bunks
North Beaches Judo Club
Arnie outside North Beaches Judo Club, wearing the club t-shirt and hat........ and a shower and toilet. Breakfast is at 7am and by 8am we are on the move again to another dive site. 2 more dives before lunch and another afterwards, before we transfer back to Reef Quest and are bought ashore in Cairns and delivered back to the Judo Club.
The diving was very good, lots of large and small fish, small rays, reef sharks, big barracudas and turtles. Perhaps the most disappointing dive was the night dive, but we did see some very big fish in the lights off the end of the boat. Our dive leaders were all excellent and the whole outfit were very friendly, helpful and extremely professional. The main thing we did learn is never to dive with the Japanese if it can be helped!!!!
Back at the club Arnie went on the Judo mat again, 3rd time at this club, despite being tired from the diving, we both were!!
The next morning we pack up the car, we’ve imposed on Karl and Sophia long enough and it’s time to be heading south again. Thank you Sophia and Karl for making us feel so welcome and thank you for putting us up and feeding us!!
Hitchinbrook Island
A beautiful view of Hitchinbrook Island from a lookout north of Townsville Good luck in the coming months.
Byee Arnie & Maggie
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