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Published: April 12th 2006
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As we had not been on a tour or anything for a while, we were really looking forward to seeing Cape tribulation as we had heard it was really pretty.
So we were up at 6:30 for our 7:30 pick up, it was a nice morning, only a little cloud. We were greeted by our guide for the day, his name was Rowan, a really nice guy. We were the first pick up so from our hostel we had a drive around town to get our bus full. Then we set off out of Cairns for our day out.
On the way we saw a different perspective of Oz. As you all know we have been into the outback and seen the vast areas of nothingness, but the views we were getting on the way were a nice contrast, big rolling hills covered in lush green rainforest, fields upon fields of sugar cane and the odd banana tree plantation. We learnt that the sugar cane grows really well up this neck of the woods because it can cope with all the rainfall it gets.
Now the Australians aren't always that bright. They introduced the cane toad to eat the cane
beetles because they were destroying the sugar cane, the problem was though that the beetles live on the top on the sugar cane, about 1.5m off the ground and the toads can only jump about 30cm! The place is now over run with the toads and are cosidered a pest! What a success. You now see cane toad purses and all sorts in the shops.
Our first stop on our schedule was the Daintree river and a nice coffee and bickie whilst we waited for the other bus to catch us up as our driver was a little keen with his speed.
So from here we boarded a boat for a 45 minute cruise and crocodile spotting. This was very nice calm and peaceful, the guide told us about all the different plants and trees and we were lucky enough to see a couple of WILD crocodiles. One was a female with her hatchlings.
Back on the bus we headed to our second destination, a board walk through the rainforest. Here we saw lots of strangler figs, including one that was hollow because it had strangled the tree to death.
Ever heard of the surf brand Billabong? Well the
Spot the baby croc
Write in if you can you see it? name comes from an area of flood land next to a river, which is called a Billabong. So now you know. We saw one of these on our walk. Along the way we spotted some ants on the hand rail and the guide told us that if you lick the bums of a green ant they taste of lime. So we had a go at licking an ants bum! And yes they do, they taste like a sour sweet. Some people (german) were licking the wrong end and got their tongue bitten! Ha ha. So this was our fist taste of bush tucker in 4 months.
The walk was very nice, we didn't see any animals but we saw lots of rainforest.
From here we got to cape tribulation and this is where we tell you why they call it 'Cape Tribulation' we know you are all dying to know.
Back in the day when the Yorkshire man Captain Cook discovered just about everything, he was heading down the east coast of Oz when he ran aground on the great barrier reef, as it was low tide. As the days went past whilst they were fixing the boat some
of his men were on the mainland getting sick from the local fruit. Captain Cook wrote a diary about his trials and tribulations, hence the name "Cape Tribulation'. You guys are learning some rubbish from us eh?
Ok back to the day, we went to PK's Jungle Hostel for our included lunch. It was yummy and free! After lunch Andy and I went for a walk to the beach where you can see the rainforest meet the reef. The only place in the world where this happens.
From here we went to the Daintree Icecream factory, we gave that a miss, next stop on this fun packed day was Alexandra lookout. By this time it was looking worryingly grey. From this point you could see the rainforest, islands, daintree river and the beach. This was a quick photo stop as we were trying to beat the low tide to get the cable ferry across the river. We succeeded! Back on the road to Mossman Gorge, a national park that has just been given back to the Aborigines. By now it was chucking it down so our intended swim had gone down the river as it would have been impossible to
get dry again. Again this was nice, the river had strong currents and rapids. Our guide had a bandaged knee from where he had rescued a girl a few weeks before. So in the rain we had a walk around and over the swing bridge.
Our final stop for the day was Port Douglas, a nice little port town. You could see it would have been nice if it wasn't hammering it down. So for the half hour, we spent it taking cover.
Now on our way back to Cairns Rowan through in an extra stop at the Rex lookout. It was his last day after 2 years, so as the day went on he got more crazy!
We got back at about 6.30pm and went straight back out. We booked our hostel for Singapore and tried to ring everyone at home, but you were all out! We went to Rhino Bar for our second free meal of beef curry and rice. Had a brief market and icecream stop, then grabbed a beer from the liquor store. We have never told you this but over here in Oz, they have drive through liquor stores. How crazy!
Back at the
hostel we had a nice cool off in the pool and had a nice chat with Anna.
End of a good day and end of Oz!
G'day cobber! Bloody idiot! You beaut! Strewth! Stone the crows! I'm goin to the dunny. Crickey! Johnny hopper (copper) etc.
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Dad and Anna
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Nice 2 C U 2 C U Nice
Some lovely photos of you two, you both look realy happy. Have a great time and stay safe.Love Dad and Anna