Rain Forest and Cape Tribulation

We took a road trip north to the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulatiion.  We left about 10 a.m. and returned by 4.

First stop was the rainforest where believe it or not it was hot and muggy.  We boarded the shuttle bus for a couple mile trip up the mountain.  The windows were covered with beads of water on the outside so we couldn't see out.

Took a 30 minute hike around the walkways and trails.  Interesting and much like Jurassic Park though we didn't see any dinosaurs, only this turkey and some fish in the river.

Sorry the pictures ain't worth the effort.

On the narrow and windy road with signs to be watchful for Cassowaries, the ostrich like birds with the colorful heads.  We saw one at the 'zoo'.  We were quiet sure it was a tourism ploy, but sure enough we saw two along the way.  Stopped and Paul got some pictures that he hasn't shared with me yet.  Pretty amazing to see such huge birds in the wild.

Came to a wide river and took a ferry across to continue to Cape Tribulation where Captain Cook repaired his ship a few years ago.  Just a deserted beach.

Back on the road for lunch and another stop for ice cream.  

Got to the room to discover the A/C decided to quit, but got it on in a few minutes.  

No exciting night life today.


Today, Thursday, Pam and Sharon went shopping and Pam & I signed up for an outer reef snorkel trip for Friday.  I went in this morning with Paul at 8:00 and was going to go on my own if there was a spot available, but the only one was on a 60 passenger scuba and snorkel trip.  I signed up to tomorrow's all day, three stop, 30 person, snorkel only trip.  I took the ladies into town to shop and signed Pam up as well.  There was an older couple in the shop that went on the trip yesterday and said it was all you could imagine.  She said the skipper was quite attractive as well, but I told her I wasn't that interested.

Now to try to load the pictures.....  never mind

getting ready for breakfast for the reef trip

Snorkel Trip

We signed up for a 2 1/2 hour snorkel trip to the Low Isles on a super fast boat.  It had 3 300 hp motors  with a speed of 80 kpm, which is FAST.  There were 4 other Jones folks waiting in the lobby and only 14 people on board.

Four of those were a filming crew from the channel 9 Today show with fancy cameras and gear.  I couldn't find the clip on their web site as they expected it to show the next day at 6 a.m.

Loading

Tina and Eric who were on our Morocco trip took the front row.

The skipper played the theme from Titanic on the way out of the harbor.  We also heard Jaws and Gilligan's Island.

Sharon and Paul donning their sexy lycra, anti jelly fish suits.  We were exhausted just getting those on.

Pam

The water was a little murky, but warm.  Saw a few medium sized fish and one small stingray.  Back in time to spend a little time at the pool, but it was HOT.

I'll try to upload this before the system crashes.  Real slow upload speeds and this blogger is frustrated.  More later. . . 

Down Under

Sorry for the slow blogging, but when you do it only a couple times a year (blog that is), I have to relearn the tricks.  Plus the Internet speed here yesterday afternoon was dial-up slow.   .02 mbs on the down and .012 upload.  I headed to the lobby to see if it was just me and there was a techie right outside with the control panel opened and said everything was nearly down.  Blamed the cyclone that passed through way south of here, but that is where the only cable comes from.

We have arrived in Pt. Douglas, Queensland, Australia after a long day(s) and three flights.  Portland to LA; then to Brisbane, Australia; then to Cairns, Australia; then 1 1/2 hr drive to Pt Douglas.  We left on a Thursday night and arrived at noon on Saturday.

Sunrise in the South Pacific

Returning with wine (Pam on the left)

That seems like a long time, but subtract 18 hours and it's still a long time.  We rented a small suv and drove to Pt Douglas with Paul and Sharon, getting lost along the way a few times.  The turn signal is on the right as is the steering wheel.  The windshield wipers were going off often, even there was no rain.

We have a good group of Jones people.  Our friends from Corvallis, Marta and Mark from Vancouver, and the crazy younger couple on the Morocco trip that loved the monkeys and snakes.

It is HOT and HUMID here.  Not in the travel brochure!!

We go outside for a while and moisten our clothes, then into an air-conditioned room and get chilled.  

We have a very nice room/apartment.  No view, but all facilities are well off the coast and it is quiet.  Two bedroom, two floors, full kitchen, laundry, outdoor patio and upstairs a hot tub, bbq, and picnic area.  I went up the spiral stairs to check it out and declared there was no reason for a hot tub or bbq. It is just too hot.  39 C.  I think that is really hot and add 85% humidity.  I doubt we will see that area again.

A huge pool that is barely refreshing with about 90 degree water.

Spent Pam's birthday in a 2 hour meeting where I announced she was now eligible for Medicare / don't worry we have a two bedroom unit.  

We went with Paul and Sharon to the Wildlife Habitat near by and saw the crocodiles, kolas, birds, and kangaroos.  It was hot and humid.  

The Crocs didn't look too scary

The birthday girl feeding the local rodents

Pam's birthday party in the aviary cafe.  I was too sticky so I headed to the air conditioned gift shop.

We had a nice dinner to celebrate Pam's birthday and Sharon and Paul's anniversary on the same day at Salsa's in Pt Douglas.  Home by 8:30 and called it a night.

Today, the 24th, we are taking a fast boat to the Low Isle to snorkel the inner reef for a couple hours.

Enjoying our time.  Hope all is well with everyone!