Port Douglas and Daintree River

Between day long visits to the Great Barrier Reef was spent traveling in a rental car and exploring the surrounding area. On short trip was further north to a Port Douglas and the Daintree River. As we both come from cold climates, salt water crocs are a curious thing. They prevent the locals from not only taking a sim in th rivers but even the ocean. Port Douglas has very beautiful beaches that has an area the size of a swimming pool netted off for swimming, very strange.

 A view from the coast along the way..

 A view from the mountain drive...

 Good old Bruce Belcher, a lad who grew up along the Daintree river and knows the animals inside and out. Basically a floating house boat for spooting Crocs.

 Bruce's Dog who comes on every trip and leads the way...

 A side portion of the Daintree...

A 1 year old croc chilling on a tree

 Momma Croc resting on the side of the river, probably 2 meters long

A 6 month old Croc...

 The Beach and a hitch-hiking crab..

 Beautiful woman with a bump. Note way in the background the poles that hold up the nets for the small area for swimming.

Howdy stranger...

Great Barrier Reef: Saxon and Hastings Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is so large that it can be seen from space, so Cairns is only one of several towns/cities that have access. There are plenty of scuba/snorkel agencies to choose from and the first one allowed us to both snorkel and scuba dive (no pregos) from a pontoon or anchored boat. We choose a company that went out towards one of the middle reefs.

This was a typical area where we were able to explore the reef.

Johanna all geared up and ready to go...

Look at this pro!

Some balance issues possibly due to the bun in the oven.

 

A Giant clam, some were up to 1 mtere across, almost big enough to fit a child in.

One of the Sea turtles

A White Tipped Reef Shark..

A school of some sort of fish that didnt seem to be bothered by humans.

Cairns

Howdy folks, although it took nearly 3 years we finally made it to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The weather was hot and humid, we had an extra passenger on board but it was well worth the wait. Very tropical place with beautiful scenery, amazing wildlife and of course the tease of open beaches as far as the eye can see but alas no entry due to crocodiles. We spent 4.5 days in total and managed to make 2 full day trips to the Great barrier reef for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also we rented a car to go on a crocodile cruise along the Daintree river and visit Port Douglas, Korrunda. We will divide the post up to include more pictures.

A Beautiful View of the city of Cairns with the Jungle/mountains behind. 

Along the esplanade and to the Harbor. Note the bun in the oven

Handsome gentleman we ran into along the way

The city made a beach downtown for the populous to use in response to the croc infested beaches on the outside. Pretty good, open from 6am to 9pm.

One of the finds downtown for Jo. A Swedish transplant opened a general goods store and coffee shop. Complete with Goodes and expired cheeze doodles.

    Some of the packages were over 3 months expired but were still for sale saying" old cheese curls expired but still tasty."

A view from the morning breakfast, cafe and smorgas.