Today was spent exploring Cape Tribulation, the Daintree River and surrounding areas.
At first we had a short cruise up and down the Daintree river searching for crocodiles again, due to this river being salt water as it is connected to the ocean there are fewer crocodiles that inhabit it (as opposed to what we saw in Kakadu last week) – which is extremely ironic considering they are called SALTwater crocodiles… Don’t let the name fool you, these salties prefer fresh water to lay their eggs in and hunt on more prey.
After our cruise around the river we hopped back on the bus to the most spectacular lookout point where rainforest meets reef – Alexandra Lookout. Today we were blessed enough to be on the edge of two of the most spectacular world heritage sites – The Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation Rainforest (one of the oldest rainforests, tracing 40-60,000 years old so I’m told by our wonderful aboriginal guide).
Lunch was a feast in itself! In the tiniest corner of the most vast rainforest lived a little restaurant which believe it or not served the best steak I have tasted since being in Australia. It was truly melt in the mouth and the good company made it taste all the better.
One thing I love about travelling alone is the look elder people give you when you confirm to them that yes you are in fact travelling alone – I don’t even know how to describe it, it’s almost an awe mixed with jealousy I think. My company for lunch today was exactly that. Around my table sat professors, consultants and project managers that were looking at me in that way simply because I was a young female travelling alone – grass is always greener on the other side though isn’t it. I was looking in awe and jealously of the strong and stable careers they all held – it was an interesting lunch conversation to say the least!
After lunch we headed to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen with the water so deeply tempting – but remember this is Australia so it was also extremely deadly… That’s right folks – it’s stinger season (jelly fish) and with the crocs around too I don’t fancy my chances thank you!
I appreciated the Australians attempt on Cream Tea scones but they’ve got nothing on the mighty Devon!! (It wasn’t even clotted cream !!)
We then headed towards Mossman Gorge where we met the lovely aboriginal guide previously mentioned who showed us how the aboriginal people would use the natural resources to make paints, spears as well as medicines (just to name a few). He beautifully described to us how his culture is one that appreciates others an their backgrounds as well as how it also seems to be the oldest culture which is still going strong today.
I must say it contrasted with what others have previously described of aboriginal culture today but it did sound beautiful in it’s ideology.
We then got the shuttle bus down to the Gorge itself and the wobbly walkway platform before we got started on our beautiful journey back to Cairns.
eyes abroad 