A TASTE OF PARADISE AT PORT DOUGLAS
A TASTE OF PARADISE AT PORT DOUGLAS
It was another extremely early start for our trip to Port Douglas. After a 5 hour flight, we arrived at Cairns at 7.30 and we reached Port Douglas shortly after 9 a.m.
Of course, our room wasn't ready and we were already sweltering in our travel clothes, with the temperature of 30C plus and almost 100% humidity. However, a swift change in the shower by the pool soon saw us more comfortably dressed in shorts, tee shirts and sandals.
There was only a short walk to Macrossan Street, which is the main street in Port Douglas for restaurants,bars, tour info and all kinds of shops and we enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast.
By the time we returned to our hotel, the Meridian, our room was ready and what a delight it was. We had a large double bed, a compact kitchen and a spacious sitting room which led on to a balcony over looking the swimming pool (see picture 1 right).
Later that day, we went back into town to do our supermarket shopping for the week - cheese, biscuits and fruit. We also investigated the trips we wanted to do in the coming days. By 6 p.m. we were knackered and after dinner at Zinc, the nearest restaurant to our hotel, we were almost falling asleep. So, it was early to bed in anticipation of a full day to come.
Tuesday 26th 8 a.m. at the door ready for our long anticipated trip with 'Wavelength' to the Great Barrier Reef. On board we were given our flippers, stinger suits and snorkels for the day. We both had our own prescription masks, although Wavelength could also have provided them, such was the professionalism of this company. An hour and a half journey to our first site was aborted as it was too 'green' and the sea wasn't clear enough. We moved on a short distance to our most northerly site, at Opal Reef, where conditions were very good and we donned our sexy stinger suits.(see picture 2 left). We were both apprehensive as we hadn't been swimming in such waters and our tummies were both a bit wobbly from the journey out to the reef. Cautiously, we entered the surprisingly warm water and were immediately transported to a different world of coral & many varieties of colourful fish of different sizes. Most of the others on the boat were stronger swimmers. David was a little out of his depth so didn't venture far from the boat and soon returned still feeling a little queasy. Linda had a touch of cramp after 40 minutes but was expertly assisted by one of the marine biologists accompanying us.
John, who was in charge of the boat, explained that it was not uncommon for deep water to bring on motion sickness. W e spent the second dive chatting to him about the state of the reef and felt better by the third dive. This was incredible. Our experts had explained that if you just stay still in the water and let the current move you the fish would come to us - and they did in abundance! Everyone swam all along the reef on their own but adroitly guided to where the coral was in good condition and the varieties of fish amazing. In the water for nearly an hour with no hint of motion sickness. We loved every minute of it! Back to port and later dinner on the edge of the river at The Tin Shed.
Next day we went back to Cairns and took the old narrow gauge train to the Aboriginal village of Karunda (see picture 3 left). The railway was built in the 1870's through cliffs, over a gorge, on sharp bends and across wooden viaducts.
Looking out the window from our carriage one way we could see the engine entering the mountain and look back and see the rear curving after us. We took the Gold Class service (what else!) and had a waiter serve us morning delicacies and drinks. Apparently, Michael Portillo did this trip earlier in the year and the crew were not allowed in the carriage whilst he was being filmed!. After lunch, we returned in a cable car over the rainforest canopy (see picture 4
right) spectacular. Dinner back at Port Douglas at The Courthouse was excellent.
The next day, we had a rest, washed some clothes and had a swim/walk at our local beach (see picture 5 left) inside the stinger nets i.e. keeping out the small and painful jelly fish.
On our last day we took a walk in the Daintree Rainforest. We were so lucky going to the only place in the world with two world heritage sites. The rainforest walk and explanations from our guide were excellent. We understood how everything is connected, between the animals, the trees and the insects - how each depends on the other. After lunch picnic style in the forest, some of our small group, swam in the water hole. The trip ended with a visit to the Daintree ice cream factory, where we saw one of the local marsupials (see picture 6 right). Last dinner at On the Inlet. Another great fish dinner.
Then, it was time to leave our little spot of paradise. Our shuttle bus picked us up at 4.30 a.m. for the ride to Cairns airport and our flight to Hamilton Island...
It was another extremely early start for our trip to Port Douglas. After a 5 hour flight, we arrived at Cairns at 7.30 and we reached Port Douglas shortly after 9 a.m.
Of course, our room wasn't ready and we were already sweltering in our travel clothes, with the temperature of 30C plus and almost 100% humidity. However, a swift change in the shower by the pool soon saw us more comfortably dressed in shorts, tee shirts and sandals.
There was only a short walk to Macrossan Street, which is the main street in Port Douglas for restaurants,bars, tour info and all kinds of shops and we enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast.
By the time we returned to our hotel, the Meridian, our room was ready and what a delight it was. We had a large double bed, a compact kitchen and a spacious sitting room which led on to a balcony over looking the swimming pool (see picture 1 right).
Later that day, we went back into town to do our supermarket shopping for the week - cheese, biscuits and fruit. We also investigated the trips we wanted to do in the coming days. By 6 p.m. we were knackered and after dinner at Zinc, the nearest restaurant to our hotel, we were almost falling asleep. So, it was early to bed in anticipation of a full day to come.
Tuesday 26th 8 a.m. at the door ready for our long anticipated trip with 'Wavelength' to the Great Barrier Reef. On board we were given our flippers, stinger suits and snorkels for the day. We both had our own prescription masks, although Wavelength could also have provided them, such was the professionalism of this company. An hour and a half journey to our first site was aborted as it was too 'green' and the sea wasn't clear enough. We moved on a short distance to our most northerly site, at Opal Reef, where conditions were very good and we donned our sexy stinger suits.(see picture 2 left). We were both apprehensive as we hadn't been swimming in such waters and our tummies were both a bit wobbly from the journey out to the reef. Cautiously, we entered the surprisingly warm water and were immediately transported to a different world of coral & many varieties of colourful fish of different sizes. Most of the others on the boat were stronger swimmers. David was a little out of his depth so didn't venture far from the boat and soon returned still feeling a little queasy. Linda had a touch of cramp after 40 minutes but was expertly assisted by one of the marine biologists accompanying us.John, who was in charge of the boat, explained that it was not uncommon for deep water to bring on motion sickness. W e spent the second dive chatting to him about the state of the reef and felt better by the third dive. This was incredible. Our experts had explained that if you just stay still in the water and let the current move you the fish would come to us - and they did in abundance! Everyone swam all along the reef on their own but adroitly guided to where the coral was in good condition and the varieties of fish amazing. In the water for nearly an hour with no hint of motion sickness. We loved every minute of it! Back to port and later dinner on the edge of the river at The Tin Shed.
Next day we went back to Cairns and took the old narrow gauge train to the Aboriginal village of Karunda (see picture 3 left). The railway was built in the 1870's through cliffs, over a gorge, on sharp bends and across wooden viaducts. Looking out the window from our carriage one way we could see the engine entering the mountain and look back and see the rear curving after us. We took the Gold Class service (what else!) and had a waiter serve us morning delicacies and drinks. Apparently, Michael Portillo did this trip earlier in the year and the crew were not allowed in the carriage whilst he was being filmed!. After lunch, we returned in a cable car over the rainforest canopy (see picture 4
right) spectacular. Dinner back at Port Douglas at The Courthouse was excellent.
The next day, we had a rest, washed some clothes and had a swim/walk at our local beach (see picture 5 left) inside the stinger nets i.e. keeping out the small and painful jelly fish.On our last day we took a walk in the Daintree Rainforest. We were so lucky going to the only place in the world with two world heritage sites. The rainforest walk and explanations from our guide were excellent. We understood how everything is connected, between the animals, the trees and the insects - how each depends on the other. After lunch picnic style in the forest, some of our small group, swam in the water hole. The trip ended with a visit to the Daintree ice cream factory, where we saw one of the local marsupials (see picture 6 right). Last dinner at On the Inlet. Another great fish dinner.
Then, it was time to leave our little spot of paradise. Our shuttle bus picked us up at 4.30 a.m. for the ride to Cairns airport and our flight to Hamilton Island...
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