Biggles flies again!

Sunday October 31^st

Despite Marg saying once in a helicopter was enough, Biggles Billings and his trusty co-pilot took to the skies once more – well we had to didn’t we. We felt we had come here to see the reef but hadn’t yet managed it. Well now we have!

We were being picked up at 10.30 for the airport, so squeezed in a 30 minute flight at 9.30. We’ve used up all our food and drink money for the rest of the holiday, but it was worth every single cent.

After a safety briefing, we took off and headed out for Green Island – where we’d been the day before. This looked really impressive from the air.

  

After circling the island we then headed out to Arlington reef, which was (to use a word that’s cropped up once or twice before) simply stunning.

We were shown a sand cay on the edge of the reef that you can pay to be dropped off at (and picked up again!) with a champagne picnic provided. From there it would be easy to wade out and see the real reef. Why didn’t someone tell us this before?!

Our pilot was very enthusiastic and would yell out something he’d spotted just before banking the helicopter round at what felt like 90°!

We missed the shark but got a picture of the manta ray.

Even the views of Cairns and our hotel were great as we came in to land.

After landing we had plenty of time to get our things together before being picked up by chauffeur driven limousine for the airport. This is the life!

The airport was quiet, the flight was fine (we didn't realise that Sydney is an hour ahead of Cairns) and our hotel room has great views.

We’ve just had a short thunder storm, but the sun is shining again. Let’s hope it appears again tomorrow!

We’ve been surprised at how quiet places have been, but then children are in school and people are in work – aren’t they Rod?

We hope you, Alison and the children enjoyed the last weekend of the season in Oxwich.  

We're really happy with the hotel in Sydney, but we don't have the luxury of free internet here, so we may be posting items as and when we can.  

Green Island

Saturday October 30th

This was the day we’d been looking forward to most of all and the reason we chose to stay in Cairns, but it has been the first day of the holiday that has left us feeling disappointed.

 We had originally planned to go to the outer reef but worries about sea sickness, length of journey and spending the day on a pontoon put us off. So we were booked on a visit to Green Island on the inner reef.

We had checked with the company the day before about optional extras like walking on the sea bed and helicopter flights, and were assured we could book on the boat.

WRONG!!!

When we asked about booking the sea walk – it was full. So plan B – a flight over the reef. Quote: “Sorry guys, we’ve just completed our quota for the day.”

Still, there was snorkelling and a trip on the glass bottomed boat. Not so bad.

We found a patch of clear sandy beach and donned the snorkelling gear.

“I’m not going in without my fleece!”

 By now it had clouded over – above AND below the water, and the sea had become really choppy. We saw lots of different coral and fish – including Nemo and friends, but photographs just reflected the light back at you.

Even from the underwater observatory the water was still murky.

As for the glass bottomed boat, again we saw some amazing things – the giant clams were huge and the colour of some of the fish was dazzling – but there were so many reflections in the glass that again, photographs were a waste of time.

Incidentally, Green Island has a rather large population of these cute little birds, the buff-banded rail. Cute that is until you realise that they make a mess everywhere, resulting in a not very pleasant smell. Your “exclusive” use of the resort pool will also have to be shared with a few of them.

After taking back the snorkelling gear of course, the sea calmed down and the sun came out!!! But anyway there was now little time left before catching the boat.

Green Island was a disappointing end to our stay in Cairns, so much so that we may have to do something about it.

Watch this space!!

We ended the day by unwinding with cocktails (mixed by Bethan from Newport) and a really good meal at the hotel poolside bar before watching the bats depart for the hills.

Trinity Bay - Cairns

Friday October 29th

We were glad of another day chilling by the pool today but wandered out after breakfast to take some photos of the bay and our surroundings.
 

The hotel is right next to the bay and the marina. There's also a man made lagoon complete with beach. This is very popular with locals and tourists. 

Further along the bay there is a memorial to the men who died at Gallipoli during the first World War. The hands on the clock are set to the exact time of landing on the 25th April 1915. It is a moving tribute.

Finally for all you bird watchers out there (you know who you are!), some images of the bird life spotted in a 10 min period this morning. We recognised (occasionally after consulting THE BOOK) pelicans, gulls, great egret, eastern reef egret/heron, spoonbill, oystercatchers, sandpipers, turnstones, curlew and godwits. I'm sure there were lots more we didn't spot.

 



Rainforest and rivers

Thursday October 28^th

We retraced our steps today – at least as far as Port Douglas, but this time in a 4WD vehicle. Imagine a rickety plane on a Greek runway just before take off, and this lasting for 3 hours and you begin to get the picture. We were heading eventually for Cape Tribulation beach and, having checked the weather forecast, had packed towels and beach gear hoping for a lovely swim in the Coral Sea.

We passed through some stunning scenery - fields of sugar cane, tea plantations, rainforest and palm trees.

 We drove as far as the Daintree River and got the ferry across to the Daintree National Park, a vast area of rainforest at the foot of the Great Dividing Range.

  

 This area is home to an estimated 1900 cassowaries, which are protected birds – hence road signs ( some improvised ) warning motorists to be aware and keep speed down.

Eventually we reached Cape Tribulation beach. This is where Captain Cook ran aground on a coral reef – hence the name. It’s obvious he had a really good time here from the names he gave the mountains – Mt. Sorrow, Mt. Misery and Mt. Despair!

We know how he felt because just as we got there the heavens opened and we found another use for the beach towels! We got wet, but at least the beach was deserted – very atmospheric – and it even stopped raining for a little while.

  

 Lunch was in another amazing setting – deep in the rainforest at a place called Noah’s Creek. We were lucky not to have been there last week, because it rained so heavily the benches and tables were washed away downstream.

 

After a great lunch and a couple of glasses of wine we got on a boat to go crocodile spotting on the Daintree River.

This is Nelson who is only of average size – a mere 4.3 metres long!

This little fellow on his very own log is only about 7 months old.

We saw so much wild life – including white lipped tree frogs and this wonderful Brahminy Kite, also known as the Red-backed Sea Eagle.

On the return journey we stopped off at Mossman Gorge – where at some points the river creates rapids and waterfalls, and at others forms pools of crystal clear water.

Marg found a bouncy bridge – memories of Ogmore!

Returning to the 4WD we were stopped in our tracks by this little creature – actually as big as a man’s hand! Apparently it won’t kill you – just make you quite ill for a couple of days!

This was a long day out, but we came back with great memories.



Life's a beach.

Wednesday October 27th

A beach day today.
We hired a car and drove north up the Captain Cook highway to Port Douglas, with rainforest on one side and deserted, palm fringed beaches on the other.

First stop was Four Mile Beach, a perfect spot for a swim . . .

. . . or so we thought!

As it turned out, there was nothing lurking today. Nobody got stung or eaten!

Port Douglas is a lovely spot - far quieter than Cairns and we wish we'd booked a few nights here as well.

After a spot of lunch we drove back down the coast to Palm Cove - another lovely place.

 Sitting on the jetty we noticed some activity in a very picturesque corner of the beach.

   

 A wedding was taking place and we discovered from the advert on a car next to the jetty that the marriage celebrant was no other than Aphrodite Anderson! Not only that, her number plate was VEN15. Naff or what?!

On the way back we stopped at Rex lookout - not only a great view, but an official site for hang-gliders and paragliders.


 It was another great day doing what we like best - discovering things for ourselves.



It's hard to believe we've been in Australia less than 2 weeks. We've totally lost track of the date and are glad we both take tablets with the days of the week on them!