We spent a week in Port Douglas, it was really beautiful place. The scenary on the drive between Cairns and Port Douglas was spectacular with mountains on one side and blue sea on the other. The beaches still have the lovely golden sands and it is ok to go in the sea at the moment too. Although there are vinegar stations everywhere for box jelly fish stings - think they come out in November when its warmer!

We spent the first day wandering around Port Douglas and the beaches. This was a really nice relaxing day. we went to the lookout and Anzac Park, the marina and the main street. The shops look really good here although I'm not allowed to spend any money!!! The park is very pretty, its on a cliff top which is lined with palm trees and mountains are in the distance. There is a beautiful chapel in the park, which was built in the 1880s. It is a white wooden structure and inside is still in the original way. There are no stained glass windows because the view is so nice in all directions!

We went to Mossman Gorge and Daintree, these places are only about 45 minutes north of Port Douglas. We went for a walk around Mossman Gorge, it is a lovely walk through the rainforest, but it is so hot and humid so we felt really tired even though it wasn't that long. There was a swimming hole at the end of the walk - it looked so nice but we hadn't taken our swimming stuff. How annoying! In Daintree we went on a crocodile Cruise down the river. We saw 4 big ones. They were lazing on the bank as apparently it wasn't hot enough in the water yet. It was 24 degrees but they need it around 30 degrees. When we were cruising down the river a cow came for a drink at the riverside but it was scared off by something in the river and I've never seen a cow run backwards so fast in my life. Also I don't think I've seen a cow show any emotion either but this one looked petrified. It managed to get back onto the bank safely though!

We took the Skyrail from Cairns to Kuranda and back again. This went so high in the air - I didn't feel particularly relaxed in it especially when the wind was blowing! We saw a good view over the coast and the rainforests though and we could hear the tree frogs as well! Kuranda is known as the village in the rainforest which we went for a walk around. However, it is a bit touristy and the market was filled with souvenirs. We decided to go for a walk along the river instead and this was really nice. However, we didn't get too close to it due to crocs!

Cape Tribulation is lovely and is as far as we could get without a 4WD. The beaches look like paradise here, they are lined with palm trees and massive expanses of golden sand. However, we didn't venture into the blue sea as we heard that crocs sometimes venture into the sea from the creeks! We did however go on a seakayaking tour around the cape. This was really good to fun but hard work in the waves. We got stuck on some sand so Neil got out to push - we forgot about crocs temporarily but its ok he's not eaten!! We haven't made that mistake again!!! However, the guide said he doesn't come out of the muddy creek until November so phew!

On the Saturday I left Neil sunbathing on the beach for the day whilst I went on a specialty diving course - Naturalist Open Water. The instructor and I went to look at the coral and sealife. It was really interesting, as I got to see far more than usual. In fact - I saw a sting ray and 3 sharks as well as everything else! For the last dive I did a drift dive. This was quite scary as I had to step off the boat when it was still moving with an empty jacket. But beacuse I was nervous I got to fill up my jacket! It was really goof in the water though as the current pulls you along quickly and you get to see a lot on the way. Its hard work to get back on course if you veer off though!!!

On Sunday Neil decided his foot was better so we went diving again! This was to the outer barrier reef too. It was good as we saw a lot again but no sharks!!

Fianlly we went to Cairns before we flew out. This felt like a bit of a wasted day as there isn't much there at all. Its just kitted out for booking tours really. Although I did see a pink mask, fin and snorkel set but I wasn't allowed to get them! Mind you I have no sapce for them really!