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Early start today, the alarm goes off at 6.30 and we are ready for collection for the day trip at 7.20. Today we are going north of Cairns to Daintree rainforest, Cape Tribulation and Mossman gorge. (Steph continues)...
After being picked up our guide drove us North along the Coastal road towered Daintree. We passed some lovely beaches, waterfalls caused by the recent torrential rain, banana and sugar cane plantations and acre after acre of rain forest.
The sun made an appearance when we arrived at our stop for the Daintree river cruise. After a precautionary toilet stop in less than adequate outside hut filled with spiders and other critters we made our way to the boat.
Once on board our guide informed us of the various wildlife to be found on the river and we went crocodile hunting. The water was quite murky so they were difficult to spot but we did see a baby crocodile on the waters edge giving us the eye and the eyes and head of another one a little further on. At that point I decided not to dangle my arm over the edge of the boat anymore! The place was teeming with wildlife and we saw numerous snakes sunning themselves on tree branches and a variety of birds you wouldn't see back home. All in all it was a very interesting cruise and our first experience of getting close to a rainforest.
Our next experience took us even closer, on a guided walk through the rainforest itself, climbing a tower to the canopy. We were able to look over the wide variety of trees and the guide talked us through the wildlife living there. Sadly we didn't see much as the majority is nocturnal but it was a very interesting experience nonetheless.
Following a BBQ lunch in the rainforest I had my first encounter with a giant spider. On my way to the toilets (yes I know a common theme) I walked directly under the web of the largest spider I have seen in real life. Had I seen the web beforehand I wouldn't have taken that route. Our guide told us that it was a huntsman spider but that they will generally leave you alone unless you bother them. Needless to say we gave it plenty of space!
We then saw a praying mantis as we were leaving our picnic spot closely followed by a Cassowary which are apparently pretty rare these days.
Our next stop was Cape Tribulation, a lovely beach on the edge of the rainforest. We were on allowed in the sea due to the highly toxic jellyfish which make it their home during the wet season. However, from the beach we did see a shark feeding and a group of rays jumping for food at the surface. That was pretty cool...
We then started our long drive back towards Cairns via Mossman gorge. By now the rain had started again and slowed us down a fair bit. I thought I had seen torrential rain until I came here...brings a whole new meaning to the term!
We braved the rain and took the path to the gorge. The river was running pretty fast and it would have made a fantastic White water rafting spot I am sure. We eventually left and headed back to Cairns, shattered after a long day.
(Stephen adds). Also worth mentioning that the tour guide was called Bruce, and he explained the difference between the Kangaroos and the Wallabys.
The Kangaroos play rugby league and the Wallabys play rugby union
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