Port Douglas Rainforest

Little did I know that this is the rainy season for Port Douglas.  We have lucked out though, probably because we have trotted out with umbrellas when we thought we might get caught in the rain.  But we have experienced thunder like never before.  One night the noise was deafening and lasted so long, scared the begeebers out of me.  And the humidity!  I thought I was living in a swamp.  We have gone from the city to the semi-arid desert to the rainforest.

After a day of R & R in Port Douglas, we were picked up this morning by Clayton for a full day of new and different adventures.  The day began auspiciously though when we stopped at the zoo only to be told that the koalas were not available for a cuddle.  What, are they in a union?  Is it because they don’t work on Australia Day (today)?  Turns out that they do get a day off after so many days of ‘work’ but because one of them is pregnant and unavailable for work, there were no koalas.  
Clayton leapt into action and rearranged the day.  Off we went to another park with available koalas, huge cassowarys which are the third tallest and second heaviest bird, smaller only than the ostrich and emu, and a crocodile river cruise..all very cool.

Off to the rainforest via a ferry to cross the Daintree River.  Clayton was an awesome guide, all the while identifying every plant, tree, insect and wildlife creature as we walked through the rainforest which makes up .25% of Australia.  Who knew there were so many types of ferns?  Oh, and we spotted a wild cassowary.  There are so many nooks and crannies and lookout areas throughout to just stop and admire the density and greenness surrounding you.  Good thing we sprayed Off all over us this morning.

A delicious lunch was at a rustic but lovely restaurant where Clayton gave the chef our order and we went off to feed sweet potatoes to some kangaroos.

I was afraid this guy was going to join us for lunch...yikes!

Next stop was a real treat...a beach walk with beautiful scenery and, of course, a lesson on beach crabs which created these beautiful designs.

Before leaving the rainforest we had to stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company and Tropical Fruit Farm where the ice cream is made from, you guessed it, the fruit grown from trees on the premises.  For convenience and depending on what fruits are ripe, 4 flavors are chosen and served daily.  The flavors of today were passion fruit, black sapote, coconut palm and wattleseed... delicious.  The sizes and shapes of the fruits from their trees were all new to me.

On to the ferry and back to the ‘mainland’ we went.

Just when I thought Clayton showed us all there was to see for today, he pulls the car over so we could get an education on the bats flying in droves to the top of the fruit trees at dusk.  

We love days like this when we are able to have one on one time with a person who knows their country intimately.  We not only learn about the environment, but we can learn more about their culture and mindset, family and lifestyle.  Clayton was born in Tasmania.  His wife is from Germany; a teacher who teaches in the school their 13 & 10 year old daughters attend.  He’s been a tour guide for 13 years, usually taking out only small groups and absolutely loves his job.