Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cape Tribulation and the Daintree,...the Garden of Eden

100_7368We're here at Cape Tribulation within the Daintree National Forest.  This is one of God's chosen places.  If you were ever going to picture the Garden of Eden, this place would be it.  It's where the lush tropical rainforest meets the ocean.  The warm humid breezes carry the soft noise of the crickets and cicadas.  It's where you can hear the gecko's ( little lizards that like the night lights) calling out to each other at night.

 

 

 

 

100_7363 (2) Yesterday, we got in around midday.  So we travelled down to the ice creamery where we had homemade ice cream with the two mini buses,  loaded with tourists.  We each had a scoop of  blueberry, banana, and a tropical fruit one called soursop, which tasted a bit lemony.  Ice Cream always goes down well.   And then we walked through one of the many boardwalks along the mangroves, wondering if we were going to see a crocodile or two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This morning we got up and headed up to Cooktown.  The 100 klm drive to Cooktown  was predominantly a dirt road and 4WD access only.  And Chris was informed by the local businessman, that it had only just been graded, so all was good.  The drive was spectacular as we drove through some of the nicest creeks and along the crest of the ranges.  We had morning tea near the Bloomfield river where we watched a man get ready to set sail for the open sea.  The cloud cover turned the ocean grey, but I knew that it would eventually break and the colour would change.

 

 

 

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  100_7401                                                                                                                                         Then on to Cooktown, we stopped in to have a cup of coffee and share a Lamington while we watched some of the locals feed the mullet (fish) and the sea gulls some bread. 

 

 

 

 

We watched some local fishermen bring their catch in to clean and get ready for  the day's delivery.   We also threw a line in to see if we could catch a fish or two.  Chris caught the only fish today.

100_7406 He had several bites on his line, while I caught at LEAST four ''rock'' fish. Hrrmph!  And as the day warmed up, the water was calling out to me.  Unfortunately, if the crocs don't get you, the stingers will.  So showers will be the call for the end of the day.

We ate our sandwiches under a big shady tree away from the green ants which are said to have a very nasty bite.  And then we headed back.  There were a few more people on the road this time, which kicked up a bit of dust here and there. 

 

 

 

 

 

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And I was right, the clouds cleared up and the ocean had turned an azure blue. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good day was had by all.  Now, we're preparing to get ready for our trip to Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands.  Hopefully, we can catch some fish there.  Otherwise, it might be hot dogs for tea.  And I still haven't found the elusive Cassowary yet.  There's signs everywhere to be on the look out for them, but we haven't seen one yet, but my camera is at the ready.

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