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| Daintree |
Okay, so today was an odd one… we had a lot of fun, but there were a lot of different little things that happened that made the whole day unfold the way it did…
First – we woke up around six or so again and met a woman named Ellen on the side of the road – at a specific unmarked spot as instructed by our hostess…Ellen led us through the woods to Dan Irby – the man who runs the mangrove river tour – and we were the only two. So, we set off on a wonderfully tranquil, beautiful tour of the misty, sleepy, Daintree River and Barrack Creek in search of birds and crocodiles. Dan and Ellen know their stuff and were experts on the river – we learned a ton about the birds, trees, ferns, vines, canes, and river systems and just as the mist lifted and then sun came out we spotted to crocs just as it was time to go in – it was a neat trip. We realized how much we had learned later in the day as we were pointing out different birds and plants to each other.
And then, we came back to Red Mill, had an excellent home cooked breakfast, did our laundry, enjoyed an hour or so of internet time, and then took on the task of hanging our clothes up to dry on the lines in the yard. We discovered that I have a bit more experience with this than Daniel.
And then, we set out for a walk/hike recommended by our host and hostess that was supposed to end with a swimming hole. This was where we distinctly changed our plans. We essentially drove into someone’s yard and after we persuaded the cows to move out of the middle of the road, managed to park our car in the middle of a cow pasture. Then, after finally finding the poorly marked signs, and hiking up and down some serious hills in direct tropical sun, we found the trail. While we thought would be a beautiful narrow path through a rain forest. No. It was a car blazed trail through someone’s property…that sometimes had shade from trees and then other times cut through more cow pasture. We walked for about fifteen minutes and stopped dead in our tracks when we saw that a significant part of the walk was a valley through a cow pasture (full of cows and their patties) in full sun…
We were walking through someone’s yard and had been asked to pay to do so. It wasn’t a rainforest. It was a hot, smelly pasture. It wasn’t at all what we were expecting and at that moment we said forget it.
So then, we decided to wing it and drive to Cape Tribulation, we were planning on going on Saturday and planning the day out ahead, but eh! who cares - onward!
So then, we had to pay to take the ferry across the Daintree River. The road ends. You either take the ferry or turn around. The ferry is a chunk of concrete with a pully system connected to a cable strung across the river. Sixteen cars can fit on the ferry. Then the chunk of concrete is pulled across the river. We were asked to stay in our cars.
And then, we decided to do the Daintree Discovery Center and to see us some real rainforest. Forget the cow pastures. So, we bargained student discount and then spent a while walking the aerial walkway, climbing the tower that overlooks the whole rainforest, and then hiking through the covered walks. We enjoyed it – it was scenic and pretty and much more of what we had hoped for…and while we were in the “exploration center” or something, we found another, better map of the area…
So then, we decided to go to a free walking trail…
But then, we saw a café that was right on the beach and we realized it was 3 and past lunch…so we had lunch and a great beer as we looked at Thorton beach – which was beautiful…great brilliant blues with a little chunky island just off the water.
We also admired the jellyfish sting station they had with a big jug of vinegar there for public use if stung…
And then, we headed to Marrdja Boardwalk which was a mix of both mangroves and rainforest – and crossed over Noah Creek. Very pretty.
And then, we decided to drive further north to the info center – to find out when the ferry closed and what else there was to do in the area
So then, we headed up to Emmagen Creek, the most northern point you can go before absolutely having to have a 4WD vehicle – and they’re not kidding. After that point you have to actually drive through Emmagen creek and several feet of water. Seriously.
And then, this trail led out to a really cool beach with tons of rocks and lots and lots of washed up coral pieces all bleached out from the sun….
But then, I remembered to leave the coral on the beach, because if customs catches you with a piece of the reef it’s a $10,000 fine on the spot.
So then, just as we were leaving the trail we spotted an awesomely huge strangler fig and got a stranger from Victoria to take a picture with us at its base.
And then we decided to start working our way home. Now food is hard to find. We drove for at least an hour on very windy, bumpy, twisty, rocky roads and only saw one “grocery store” that was the size of one of the US’s gas station convenience stores. So we were looking for a restaurant. We pulled into one and passed. We pulled into another one and chickens and roosters came up to our car to greet us, but the sign said it was closed for the night, and then finally just before the ferry, we passed a sign saying “Family Night BBQ”
So then, we decided to try it out – and we felt really bad because they had an awesome BBQ set up with a ton of food and the whole hour and a half we were there they sold five plates. Two of which were the ones we purchased. But Daniel enjoyed some kind of fresh reef fish and I had a delicious Aussie Porter House steak – all with salad and potato casserole and other good yummy home cooked food.
And then, we finally headed home. Caught the ferry back – which was really odd to do in the dark. Almost hit a rat, frog, and bat while driving home, and safely made it back to our B&B.
So now…we are off to bed – we’re beat. We hiked quite a few trails and stopped in quite a few places. Lots of spontaneous decisions, but sometimes those are the best kind! So now we’re just trying to work out the details for tomorrow so we can have another great one. We’ve decided to take our host and hostesses recommendations with a grain of salt – but are having fun covertly planning tomorrow. We enjoyed some of their recommendations, but were beginning to feel like they were sending us to all of their friends and like Daintree Village is a tourist trap where they all send their guests to each other…
So now – good night! We’re caught up for now! We really would love to post pictures but cannot – Aussie internet speeds are very slow and many have a 2 gig monthly cap, so you can’t use it all up posting a few pictures. We’ve actually learned that Daintree Village uses a satellite internet connection from the Aussie government that is somehow connected with the king of Thailand… interesting…
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