For The Love of Travel

THE best day yet on this holiday…Daintree country/river and further up north to Cape Tribulation (named by Captain Cook; local indigenous called the area ‘Kurangee’, place of many cassowaries). Lots of road signs warning of the need to slow down (speed humps)…some wags decided to alter the road signs…..

After major storms last night up the east FNQ coast, everything seems greener, brighter in hue and glistening!

On the river cruise this morning, saw a baby 1 foot croc hiding in mangrove swamps, a gorgeous green tree frog and baby silver flycatchers waiting for a feed…the respiratory system for mangrove trees is amazing…see all the little spikes in the swamp….yep, breathing mechanisms!

Cloud formations were lovely, very striking as a backdrop to the green of the cane fields and brooding mountains. You can feel the next storm building and waiting for release….beautiful Thornton Beach took my breath away….even more so than Cape Trib!

Beautiful tropical plants at large as well.

Sunrise, well many more and different colour hues this morn!

Off down the Captain Cook Highway to check out Port Douglas. Pristine beaches, lots of palms and beautiful scenic stops along the way; threatening skies.

PD has a disappointing lookout, with views being blocked out by residential development. Judging by the palatial properties secreted behind gates, up long winding driveways…there is lots of money in them thar hills surrounding the town!!
Lots of shops and cafés to while away those hot humid hours….

Still 4 mile beach was a delight…white sand, gorgeous blue green water, palms providing shade from those hot rays.

As was the little St Mary’s Church by the Sea, with lovely stained colour windows, perched on the water’s edge. Lots of tropical plants, especially gorgeous the poinciana tree!

Went out for a walk to catch the sunrise…quite a cloudy morning but still pretty hues. Today’s adventure is by the 7.5km Skyrail cableway up to Kuranda village – gliding over the (world heritage) rainforest canopy dating back 120 million years, getting great views of Barron Gorge and Falls.

The original Kuranda village markets began in 1978 on Honey House land by a group of local hippie artists trying to attract visitors. The markets have been an amazing success, providing employment for many, while the town is recognized as a unique Australian rainforest destination. Greatly enjoyed ambling through galleries and shops, looking through locally designed and produced fashions; hand crafted jewellery; indigenous art work.

Then back by the Kuranda Scenic Railway. An engineering feat of its time – 1500 men of Irish and Italian descent commenced it’s construction in 1886 and completed in 5 years…men using their own pick axes to remove earth, create 15 tunnels, 55 bridges and 98 curves in the 37km track. Stands as a monument to the fortitude and suffering of those engaged, and who lost their lives, in its construction.

A huge electrical storm tonight over the ocean tonight…very speccy watching from the apartment.