Got out early after long night before. Jeff from Trek North tours was there promptly to collect us in the Toyota Landcruiser. As we headed north, we stopped to check out a horse farm (the horses had blankets over them) and saw a huge pack of wallabies. This was going to be our Aussie Information tour :) yippee
Jeff has been in tourism for almost 30 years and was only doing this season to pay for upkeep and restoration of his new boat. How does he do it? He said chuck all the personal possessions and just go wandering (after his daughter left the nest and could support herself). He was from Melbourne originally, was a certified ski instructor all over the world, a boat pilot/captain, wood carver and seasonal worker. As an overly friendly guy, I could see how he had a huge network of contacts to get parttime work different places when he needed it. He knew quite a bit about the rainforest and the local animals OR he was a great bullshitter.
He kept talking about the types of animals we would encounter. He was very excited about a Cassowary (I thought he had said Castleberry) and how dangerous they were and had killed a man etc. I asked what one looked like -- right after that I saw one on the side of the road. I thought he was going to wreck the truck as he stopped and went back for us all to get out of the van and take pics and look at it. WTH? a killer bird and we were less than 20 feet from it. Actually it was a baby and luckily the mother/father was no where around -- he surmised it must have just been kicked out of the nest and was now on it’s own. It just ate it’s little fruit and then moved on further into the rainforest. Jeff said he had never seen one in the park/area we were in and was so excited we had seen one.
Mossman Gorge was our first trek into the rainforest (with insect repellant) and allowed us sights of beautiful rushing water over rocks, cold croc free water that you could swim in, and the good spirit of the indigenous people. (and a walk over a suspension bridge)
We went on a Daintree River Cruise - saw 3 crocs (including a baby one) in the wild and a moron dragging his feet in the water (can we say deathwish). But the weather couldn’t have been better - the crocs were mostly on the banks sunning themselves (like a bunch of Southern Sorority Girls at the beach). Bill, our boat captain, was normally the ferry pilot and he was a hoot.
Had lunch at an Insect Museum. Jeff BBqed and we checked out the beautiful beetles and butterflies - some looked like jewels their colors were so rich.
They had a stream we waded in with the minnows and eels. It was cold but refreshing. There was also a butterfly house and the butterflies were beautiful and floated all around you when you walked in.
This area is very desolate and they have to generate their own power from generators and sun panels. Signs everywhere to watch out for cassowaries. We went all the way up to the end of the paved road - Cape Tribulation. Got out for a stroll on the beach (didn’t get in as there were jellyfish out). Beautiful beach and could see tankers coming in and avoiding the Great Barrier Reef. Not many big Chinese tour groups up here. We saw little sand crabs spitting out little balls of sand, it was very fascinating to watch in a weird way.
Went down to another rainforest looking for Cassowaries. I heard something in the bushes and said something and there she was -- eating fruit. So again, 5 intelligent humans stand within 10 feet of a dangerous bird snapping photos. Jeff said this made his month -- 2 in one day. I don’t think the zebra striped shirt was the best thing to wear today to be invisible.
We went to another rainforest and they have the most informative signs about the history and growth of the trees and canopy.
Hit a local out of the way cafe -- Crossroads Cafe - owned by an American Vietnam Vet. Our river pilot was in there having an afternoon drink. You can get roosters there per the signs on the door. Also they have Jack Daniels and Cola -- What’s up with that?
Had an interesting ride back in the van -- I got to ride shotgun (thankfully as road very windy). Jeff has led an interesting life and the other tour mates have too. Jeff explained as much as he knew about how the financial schemes were set up in Australia -- Social Security/Worker’s Comp/Insurance etc.
We ate Balinese food -- good stuff, but we were so tired -- all that Cassowary Hunting wore me out. I even laid my head on the table while we waited. No one rocked me to sleep --- Have an early day to catch the plane to the big red rock.
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