Day 58: Port Douglas - Cairns

We were very sad to leave Port Douglas. We liked it a lot, so far it is probably my favourite place. I loved the small town community feel and the added bonus of having fresh faces every day. Port Douglas is predominately a honeymoon and diver destination, they are generally not too much of a rowdy bunch.

We spent a lot of time this morning in Bundarra Gallery choosing some paintings. After much deliberation we finally chose a panel by Peter Overs and two squares, plus six small A5 and a couple of A4 canvases. Quite a productive morning.

The only down sides of Port Douglas we found were:

1) Oly was eaten alive, alive-o by mozzies. That put a huge downer on it for him. If I ever have to locate him I just follow the Bushmans or Tea-Tree scent.

2) It was so expensive to eat out and the food was mediocre. I am sure you all gather Oly and I are real foodies and are only too happy to spend a lot on a meal, providing it is good. We keep on going back to the Waterbar & Grill in Cairns because the steak is exceptional, when we deviate from that we are sadly disappointed.

3) Finally, the humidity in Far North Queensland is something to be reckoned with.

So it is bye for now to Port Douglas, maybe see you again soon.

Em

Day 57: Cape Tribulation - Port Douglas

Back to reality.

We left Cape Tribulation with the sun streaming through Henry's windscreen and made a detour at the Daintree Natural Therapies & Spa for an indulgent massage.

Suitably chilled we carried on the journey back to Port Douglas.

Back in the camp site, Henry was pleased to see Blondie was back and OK (she had gone back to Cairns with an oil leak).

Things to do before you die in Port Douglas:

Cane Toad Racing at the Iron Bar

Oly said we couldn't leave Port Douglas without seeing the Cane Toad Racing. Seeing is fine, participating is another thing.

Cane Toad Racing involves picking up your toad, hugging it, kissing it and placing it in a bucket until it is released on a table and then blowing a party streamer at it until it hops into your hand at the edge of the table and then you put it in a bucket on the other side of the room.

So, my number was called out first... I gave it to Oly. Oly's number was called out second... bugger! We should do the lotto.

I have to say, I felt sorry for the toads and don't like animals being used for things like this. But it was amusing watching girls and men getting all jumpy and squeamish.

Oh, in case you are wondering, I gave my inherited ticket to the nearest willing participant who turned out to be really drunk and came last.

Emelie

Day 55: Port Douglas - Cape Tribulation

When it rains, it pours.

We set off for Cape Tribulation this morning. The closer we got, the heavier the rain. This was not looking to be a fun trip.

We did get to drive through beautiful countryside, ranging from sugar cane plantations to huge rainforest vegetation speckled with tantalising glimpses of the "reef". Some of the palms you could easily sit on and sail down the (croc infested) river.

Part of the rainforest is protected by the Daintree National Park and has a Wet Tropics National Heritage listing. It contains some of the most primitive forms of plant and animals and the largest number of plant and animal species that are rare, or threatened with extinction, anywhere in the world.

Pretty incredible.

So we finally get there, crossing the Daintree river on a ferry and meandering along the rainforest mountain roads that is part of the Great Dividing Range.

We arrived at Cape Tribulation Camping Ground around lunch time and it hasn't stopped raining since we crossed the river. The thing about rainforests, everything seems to be bigger and bloated... especially the raindrops.

Emelie

Day 54: Port Douglas

We didn't do much today as the weather was miserable. All this rain is not helping Henry's damp. Nothing is drying and when that happens he gets musty. It's really not going to impress his new gf if he is wiffy.

Our tent leaked again, this time all over my clothing bag. It's costing me a small fortune in washing and drying, not to mention the man hours I am having to put in folding everything.

Tomorrow we are off further north to the Daintree National Park, which happens to be a rain forest.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Emelie

Day 52: The Great Barrier Reef

Divers Log, Divedate 1...

I was only a little grumpy having to get up early... my instructor, Gary, was even grumpier after being kept up all night with a tooth ache. It's not often someone can out grump me in the mornings.

We travelled to three dive sites on the Aristocat. On the second dive, as we were getting our gear on, Gary said "The first in the water gets the big fish", he wasn't joking.

Upon entering the water, Gary (who by now was feeling a little better and, dare I say, playful) produced a bottle full of beef and emptied it in to the water. I looked on daydreaming in my own little world waiting for the cute little tiddlers to come aswimmin'. The biggest fish I have EVER seen in my life started coming towards us like an express train. Two of these and five loaves could have easily fed the five thousand.

Axel, as he is known to the locals, is a huge estuary cod and in its mouth you could easily fit a limb of your choice into. Much to my horror he (actually it is a she) was really friendly and as I was making the most movement (trying to get behind Oly) the bugger kept coming for me thinking I was going to feed her.

In my controlled panic I had a continuous jet of bubbles streaming from my regulator in a column above my head. Oly, on the other hand, had a continuous jet of bubbles streaming from his reg due to his uncontrolled laughter. No matter what he did to get in between Axel and I, the sod kept on going for me like a eager puppy. At one point I tried to use Oly to propel myself away and in my haste put my hand square on her very cold and solid body.

I need to buy myself some dive gloves...

Another long day tomorrow, lets hope we do a different set of dive sites.

Emelie

Location: Click Me!

Day 51: Port Douglas

Port Douglas has recently been the focus of a lot of media attention with the filming of Fools Gold, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) we arrived long after all this excitement so we won't be in the back ground as extras waving to the camera.

I managed to do five hours of homework for my diving course while Oly reformatted my laptop. I am not sure which one of us drew the short straw.

There have been a few more famous people walk the same Port Douglas high street as Oly and I, notebly Bill Clinton and Kiefer Sutherland. They have their rather large shiny photographs proudly placed next to the menu at the Jade Inn Chinese. I am sure if Bill knew where his photo would end up he would look just as miserable as Kiefer.

Emelie

Location: Click Me!

Day 50: Cairns - Port Douglas

Port Douglas seems to consist of a high street, marina, a 4 mile beach and lots and lots of hotel resorts.

And it really is nice.

It took us just over an hour to get here. The scenery was wonderful, miles of beaches and palm trees along a winding coastal road.

When we arrived at the caravan park, Dave (who showed us where to park) recognised Henry from a former life when he was Charlie (Henry, not Dave) and lived in Exmouth.

Oly and I cycled into town and checked out a few dive centers for diving on the Great Barrier Reef. I decided to advance my PADI certification so we met with Gary, who runs Port Douglas Dive, and booked in for two days of diving starting on Wednesday.

And its still raining...

Emelie