As we freeze in Northern Japan, it is nice to remember our warm days in Port Douglas. We flew into Cairns but decided to stay in Port Douglas, a smaller town about 45 minutes north up the coast. Port Douglas had a big beach and closer access to the Daintree rain forest. We lucked out with our tropical sporty ride and our frog friend, he hung outside our bathroom most days and explored at night. We intentionally spent our last four days in Port Douglas to enjoy a tropical vacation before returning to frigid Japan. As our tan fades I visualize laying on the warm sand in hopes that the image will warm my frozen toes!
We stayed in a small family run vacation rental apartment. The couple who owned it were so friendly, helpful and welcoming. We enjoyed cooling off in the pool and having a kitchen and big T.V. for lazy evenings. The "four mile beach" was a 10 minute walk and town was only a 2 minute drive. We were warned not to go into the water at the beach except for the designated netted off swimming area because it was jelly fish season. The first day we walked to the beach and swam in the swimming area, the water was like bath water. Later we found out that even in the swimming nets the jelly fish get in and there were a few stings which resulted in swimming nets being closed. Good thing we had the pool!
Every Wednesday evening at the Port Douglas yacht club members offer free sunset sails on their boats. You show up, order a drink and wait for someone to invite you on their boat. Captain Chris offered us a ride on his 38 foot sail boat, Frieda (handmade and named after his grandmother). Todd explained that he owned a boat in Seattle and Chris had him steering the boat the whole night. We enjoyed the views from the water and getting to know our captain and the other Australian women invited on the sail. Chris had lot of stories about locals, building boats and sailing along the coasts of Australia. In order to support the yacht club the captains invite you to stay for dinner and drinks. During dinner Todd ended up getting an invitation to stop by Chris's place and see the boat he is currently building.
Captain Chris's work in progress. I can see this in our driveway in 20 years!?
A luxury sail to the Great Barrier reef for unforgettable snorkeling and a gourmet lunch on the ocean, yes PLEASE! The snorkeling in the reef was our highlight of the trip. At first, we explored on our own before lunch amazed at the size and colors of coral. I caught a glimpse of a reef shark and got a jelly fish sting. Then after lunch we were guided to an even better area of the reef with giant clams, tropical fish galore and so many textures of coral. It is so difficult to give an accurate description because every turn of the head is an amazing picture. I regret forgetting to pick up an underwater camera before the trip. Oh well, someday we'll have to go back.
On our last day in Port Douglas we drove further north to the Daintree rain forest, only accessible by river ferry. The ferry was pulled along by a huge cable, why not build a bridge we asked?! Todd really wanted to see a cassowary in the wild (a big flightless bird). But all we saw were lots of signs warning to look out for them. The same was true of crocodiles, we didn't meet any lurking in the water.
We stopped for tropical fruit ice cream. We tried unique flavors of mango, wettleseed and jaboticaba (like chocolate). Then we went to a tropical fruit winery and tasted pineapple, mango, ginger, etc wines and ports. They had a saying, "our wines aren't sticky and sweet," and it was surprisingly true they had a good dryness to them. We bought a ginger wine that we plan to enjoy with spicy Thai food and a mangosteen port. We ended the day with a relaxing swim and taco salad dinner with homemade pico de gallo (no cilantro in japan!?)
I leave you with a dreamy beach scene, but watch out for crocodiles and jelly fish.
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