Port Douglas

Tuesday 15th December 2009, Cairns to Port Douglas

I left the apartment at about 9am this morning to go and pick up our rental car whilst mum and Caroline continued to get ready and pack. Because we had been forgotten it delayed us getting away but then saying that we weren't on time anyway.

After checking out and saying our goodbyes (Caroline and I) we eventually hit the road at about 10:30am. Now the drive between Cairns and Port Douglas only actually takes an hour but because we wanted to stop all along the coastal road we made a day out of it. Caroline and I were driving as mum didn't have her driving license so she sat back and relaxed whilst we drove. Well relaxed as much as she could whilst making all the slow down and watch out noises-nah only joking were not that bad drivers are we mum??!!

First stop of the day was Yorkey's Knob. Whilst here we had a small walk on the beach and took some photos before deciding to climb up a small hill where once we had a look out we spotted 3 dolphins. Originally we just saw 1 but then as time went on there were three of them. We think that it was a mother, father and baby. Either way they stuck around for ages, it was lovely!

From Yorkey's k*** we then stopped at Kewarra and then from there Palm Cove. At palm Cove we had lunch at a French restaurant. Mum and I had special savory crepes and Caroline I think had a salad, but I could be wrong as it was a while ago now! After lunch we had a walk along the beach and the pier and took some more photos of the stunning scenery including Double Point Island.

From Palm Cove we continued along the coastal road where we then one final stop at Rex Lookout. Here we also got talking to a lovely lady and her daughter from Sydney who gave us some great tips. From here it was back onto the road and next stop was Port Douglas itself.

We decided to go straight into the town and too find our accommodation later on. We drove past it on the way into town so we knew where it was. Once in Port Douglas we parked up and then took a walk down to the Marina. Once here we had a drink at once of the harbour cafes. And got an unexpected lecture on smoking from our waiter!! I asked him where I could smoke and oh my god I wished by the end I had never asked! Needless to say he didn't receive a tip!

Once we had finished we headed back along the road to find The Oaks@Lagoon. It was gorgeous! 3 double beds, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen and living room, and a Jacuzzi on the balcony! Wow!! We were three very happy ladies.

Once we had checked in we subjected mum to watching our Skydiving DVD's. We couldn't wait any longer, as we hadn't seen them and there was a DVD player in the apartment. We then put on our Whitsunday photo DVD that we had brought from Damitri. What we hadn't realised was, there were over 500 photos on the DVD and for some reason they took forever to watch! Sorry mum. So anyway we watched it for a while and then Caroline began running the Jacuzzi with bubbles, mum poured the wine and I did the supermarket ruin before joining them both in the Jacuzzi with a nice cold glass of vino!

After the Jacuzzi we finished off the day with George's left over lasagna, salad, bread and cheese. Oh and a bit more wine!!

*Dad you will be pleased to know we now know how easy it is to go OTT on the bubbles in a Jacuzzi. Caroline did it well on the first night and mum did it even better the next night! Very funny indeed!

Wednesday 16th December 2009, Day Trip to Cape Tribulation

We were booked on a day trip today to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River. We were picked up at 8:20am and then stopped pretty much straight away for a toilet and coffee break at Masaman Road House. The stop was mainly for the Cairns people who had already been on the bus for just over an hour. The company we went with was Billy Tea Safari's and our guide was called Andrew. Originally we nick named him Angry Andrew because he was a tad grumpy to start with especially when we got a flat (even more so when the heavens opened as he was changing it!). But to give him his dues he improved as the day went on, so we decided that he obviously just wasn't a morning person-I know how he feels!!! He was also very knowledgeable, which is always good on these tours. It was a small group of only 11 and then there was another group of about 6 who were generally about with us most of the day.

So once the flat was sorted we were on our way to the Daintree River. Our first part of the day was a 2 hour river cruise down the Daintree River. We were meant to see crocodiles but unfortunately they were hiding. As these ones were completely wild it was pretty much up to them if they were going to come up and say hello and today they didn't want too! We saw lots of mangroves though-oh how so interesting!

From the river it was a short drive to our next stop which was a Daintree Rainforest walk. It was a boarded walk and Angry Andrew turned into Animated Andrew. This was really interesting and a nice place. As well as all the rainforest trees we also saw a lizard and several Golden Orb Spiders of various sizes.

After the walk it was onwards to a lovely outside restaurant/café for lunch. Lunch was BBQ steak, salads and bread. It was very tasty. Also here they had some pet kangaroos and wallabies who we fed. There were two very large red kangaroos. They also had a very friendly (behind bars) crocodile. Post lunch we very nearly left mum behind. As usual she was the last one on the bus as she was at the loo and taking photos of the household cockatoo so Andrew thought it would funny to drive slightly forward and therefore leaving mum thinking the bus had gone! He was right, it was funny! Sorry mum xx. The result of this though was that mum ended up in the front with Andrew playing Gardens question time, she loved it!! Us at the back, not so much!

The next 40 minutes were spent in the bus on our way to our next stop which was Emmagen Creek. To get here we had to spent some of the journey on the 4WD Bloomfield track, so a little bumpy but not really! On the way we were extremely lucky to spot 2 Southern Cassowaries. These birds are extremely rare, there are only 1000 wild ones left in Oz. We were lucky enough to see 1 crossing the road in Mission Beach and then we saw 3 Adults and one baby whilst at Cape Tribulation. So as you can see extremely lucky!!

Once at the creek we had a swim. Don't think mum liked it much, as it was a bit cold! And then post swim we were given several different types of exotic fruits by Animated Andrew and Jolly Jez (the other guide) and then we were offered either tea made in a Billy can or wine. Which one do you think we had?? That's right the tea! Oh yeah and maybe a small glass of wine to accompany the tea! The guides actually demonstrated how to make a good tea in a Billy can whilst in the out back, pretty impressive as it involves spinning boiling water in a can above your head!!

From here it was onto Cape Tribulation Beach. We originally walked up too the view point and then from there we walked onto the actual beach itself. If the sun had have been out it would have been gorgeous but as it was it was a bit drizzly so not so great! But still nice too be there. On the walkway between the view point and the beach we also saw a snake. Well we sort of saw it. Andrew spotted it, as it was wrapped around a tree, and then mum and a few others saw it but could me and Caroline see it-you're joking no chance! Andrew kept trying to point it out and saying "Can you see it Caroline, can you see it?" but neither of us could really see it. We could see a brown kind of tail but who knows. In the end we just said we could because it was easier! Ha Ha.

After this it was time to start making our way back to the Daintree River Crossing. On the way we stopped at a lookout which looked out over the point where the Reef meets the Rainforest. Then onto the barge to take the bus back over the river before making the drive back to Port Douglas! Great day!

Once back at the apartment, mum ran the Jacuzzi with hundreds of bubbles! Enough to make a mountain, wasn't there mum?! Haha. Whilst Caroline and I went to grab the wine from the bottle store. We then enjoyed a relax before getting ready for dinner, which tonight was at a restaurant called Zen in the main town. Very nice but very expensive!

Unfortunately for us we had tried the Beach shack which had been recommended, but we got there at 9pm to find them closing. Very strange but bless the manager, he recommended Zen and then gave us a lift as it was raining!

Fab time had in port Douglas/Cape Tribulation by us all!!

Thursday 17th December 2009, Port Douglas to Brisbane

Today was departure day from Port Douglas and arrival day in Brisbane. We left Port Douglas at about 7:30am and drove back to Cairns airport. After filling up the car we left it as instructed in the car park and then made our way into the airport. Our flight to Brisbane wasn't too bad and on arrival it was time for mum's first Australian experience in a backpackers!! See you there xxx