After Laura, we looped back to Cairns via the World Heritage Daintree Forest
(June 2013)
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| Daintree River Birdwatching Cruise Early Morning, so peaceful ! |
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| As the sun played up, we could observe Magic Ripples in mirroring waters surrounded by some of the richest soil on earth |
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| We then encountered Happy Barramundi Fishermen in the distance |
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| Rainforest fruits |
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We then hurriedly ventured on Cape Tribulation Beaches saying to ourselves it was worth the risk having a look at this beautiful beach, and Oscar found out on Google (if he is not wrong) that we could outrun a crocodile (30km/h speed). A local woman said she'd go to the beach with the kids when they were young, you just had to keep an eye... so we kept an eye. |
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| Data Poor Mapping Area on GPS |
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| Our cosy B&B accommodation |
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| Breakfast, including Chocolate fruit |
We then drove down south via Beautiful Mosman Gorges, must be World Heritage as well ?
As we visited the beautiful Mosman Gorges, North of Cairns, we were asked to take part in a Smoke ceremony, in order to wave off all bad spirits before we entered the rainforest with our aboriginal guide. All we had to do was to stand up in front of bark tree ignited fire and turn round ourselves smiling. Then, our aboriginal guide explained our the forest was 'The Boss' and we only the custodians. We were introduced to bush medicine, shelter making, skin painting and food gathering.We finally reached the crystal clear Mosman Gorges waters (above). We decided to have a swim despite the temperature being quite cold. As I came out, I could feel a film of warmth around me, very similar experience to icy Finish lakes swimming (usually precursor to log sauna).
All went well, except that, as I ventured a bit more down this stream, the current was getting stronger and stronger, and before I knew it, I was overpowered. I could not resist the current by swimming only, so I reached out for a rock, until my strength was beginning to falter. I did not know what to expect if I let go. I could not see what was ahead. All I knew is that I did not want spine injury falling off a fall. I could guess someone was behind the huge rock I was holding onto, and I remembered there had been a group of French tourists hanging around this part of the river. Although out of their of sight, I could see a black man from that group nearby, and I asked him (in French): 'Peux-tu me prendre la main?' He said 'oui' (good guess), but was caught in the current as well. Fortunately, because he was of a stronger built than myself, he managed to resist the current, and stoically was saying: 'keep calm, it will be fine'. I am normally a strong swimmer, but the current force was too overpowering me. I had a moment of determination, and put all my strength into pulling myself up aided by a rock, and managed to move away from the current, and so did he. I will never forget this person, and I cannot even say we met, or did we ?
The following day, we drove south to reach Green Island (below) for some snorkelling, and my husband lost his wedding ring. We later on that week went to the jewellery shop were we bought the first ones, and the sales person gave two symbolic slaps to my husbands face. She then astutely turned to me, and said: you don't need any diamond right now? I would, she said :)
My daughter later on that evening found out as a fact that men, on average, lost their wedding ring three times in a life time, and would tell their wife only once ... I did not want to extend my thinking to far ...
