John Cornhill

Journey to CapeTribulation fascinating saw a field full of grazing kangaroos before going up through rainforest and Daintree National Park. Went on a river cruize and saw white egrets, 2 freshwater crocs, 2m and 1m and a beautiful but very small Azure Kingfisher. The rainforest is 175million years old but much logging for hardwoods such as red cedar and for arable farming mainly sugar cane has much reduced the forest on the plains. Also they grow tea here so had some of thelocal brew. Stayedd at PKs atCape Tribulation walked along beach waded accross estuary to get to path to Cape Tribulation Beach which was exceptionally beautifaul laid on the beach for a while, saw and photographed small croc 1m laid on beach for a while then retraced steps to first beach including crossing stream again only to be told back at PKs that a 2m croc had been laying out by the estuary all day. also went to bat 'hospital' got real close to flying foxes quite big they are and on forest walk where saw huge white cockateal and various other strange birds. Some of the others swam in rock pool. had kangaroo stir fry very tasty but mine was a bit tough, next day went on couple more forest walks and this time I did have a swim in a river pool very refreshing1. Met a israeli girl, americans but mostly british on this trip..On way back stopped to look at mouth of Dailntee River and saw Islands where Steve Irwin took his last dive. Saw magnificent Oeprey Eaglenesting in Areal Tower. Stayed overnight and had 1 day in Port Douglas a v nice small up market resort town with a perfect 4 mile sandy beach (but all beachs up here have stingers (box jellyfish) in the sea in summer their stiong can kill and certainly hospitalise). Beach 5 mins from Dougies where I stayed; walked up to headland with amazing views, walked around marina and town. very good market that day had meal in Court House Hotel whaic was only building left standing after hurricaine early 20 century then laid in beach. (Have to use lots of sun protection up here) Back in Cairnd today Mon, off the Whitsundays Wed travelling to Ailrlie tomorrow. All the best to everyone, JohnJohn Cornhill