Oz Blog
Another first, or at least that’s how it feels – it’s a Bank Holiday Monday and it’s not raining! We might even manage a barbie later. Outdoors!
Another revelation. Kerry and I went to the supermarket and it had just a few people doing a normal shop. They obviously don’t have the UK siege mentality, whereby you have to buy five times as much as you actually need because the shop’s closing early.
You’d also expect loads of kids, as parents in England often seem to view supermarkets as theme parks, with the added bonus there’s no entry fee.
But no. People were treating the shop in the way it was intended which made this a quick and simple task. It’s a pity we can’t do the same at home.
After that Kerry suggested going to Mossman Gorge which is an award-winning ecotourism facility located at the entrance to the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. If you can prove you’re local it’s free to enter, and for me it was only fourteen dollars which included the shuttle bus from the reception to the start of the walk, and back. No arguing with any of that.
The Daintree Rainforest is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world. It’s also the largest rainforest in Australia, at over 1,200 square kilometres and is home to many animal and plant species not found anywhere else in the world.
Guided tours are available, but we just chose to do the self-guided tour, following the 2.4km trail through the rainforest. We moved at our own pace, and there were information boards every so often to explain bits.
The eye takes in more than a mobile phone camera lens can, so the pictures below can only give you an idea of the sheer majesty and wonder of the place, and you can’t hear the forest sounds which accompanied our walk. If you ever get the chance you need to experience it for yourself.
We didn’t see much wildlife, and I’m sure there was more that saw us, but started with green ants which viewers of ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ may remember don’t sting but instead bite, and then squirt formic acid into the wound. We were therefore careful not to get any on us, although apparently they are edible with a lemon flavour which can be used in food and cocktails. They were widely used in the indigenous diet and medicines, including as a cough remedy. As this has already been tried and documented I didn’t see the need to verify it myself, although packs of freeze dried ants for culinary use are easily available online, and I even saw a green ant marmalade! That's Christmas sorted then!
Conor then spotted a Hercules moth in a tree. This is the largest moth in Australia, with adults having a wingspan of 11 inches (27cm). Its wings have the largest documented surface area of any living insect. Fancy that fluttering around your bedroom at night? This one wasn’t bothered though. It was just having a sleep.
We were looking out for a Golden Orb spider and although Conor spotted one we were unable to get close enough for a photo. Females are four or five times the size of males at thirty to fifty mm, so you know who wears the pants there, and their webs are up to a metre across, woven out of a yellow-coloured silk. The web needs to be big as they never leave it, and as well as insects it can also trap birds and bats.
It's not just the wildlife you need to be aware of. Some of the plantlife needs to be treated with respect as well, such as the Wait-A-While vine which we looked at but didn’t touch. It hangs from the canopy of the rainforest with prickles on its thin stem. Initially it may look harmless, it’s only when you get tangled in it and try to walk away that you realise how it got its name. Wait-a-while vines have hooked spines on them so if your skin or clothes get caught on it as you walk past it literally hooks onto you. Also known as the Lawyer Vine.
To cool off after the walk we had a dip in one of the swimming holes, with cool crystal-clear waters and a sandy bottom. At this time of year there’s just a mild current, although in the wet season the force of the water can be enough to move the huge granite boulders that are everywhere. There are signs advising you to take care as the water can be unpredictable, but today it was just a refreshing place to relax.
After a stop back at home to get changed we nipped into Port Douglas for a pre-prandial drink at N17. They sell craft beers on tap, as well as wines and spirits, and all from local brewers and distillers. I had a black xpa, which had a lager taste and a stout finish. Just the thing for sitting outside and watching the world go by.
And then back for the main event. Something almost unheard of in England thanks to our copious amounts of liquid sunshine – a barbie for tea! We kept it simple – skewers of beef, lamb and chicken, plus some haloumi, all of which Conor cooked to perfection.
Then a wind down before bed. I crashed early, due I think to the fresh air and exercise today, but it was a good tired after a great day.
Pictures below show the approach to Mossman Gorge, Kerry and Conor, the rainforest, and again with us in the pictures for scale, a dip in the creek after the walk, a very good spiced rum cocktail, and an Aussie tea
