The rain forest at Mossman Gorge
I came very close to discovering my utopia today. When I think back to when Ali and I started preparing for our big adventure and making lists (very long ones) of the places we wanted to visit and the adventures we wanted to experience I remembered that this idyllic environment of mine — wherever it might be — was always at the top of them. So it was here in Queensland, Australia where I came a little closer to realising my dream.
Early this morning Ali and I rented a car and drove north along the Captain Cook highway from Cairns. We followed the winding road along the coastline which boasted incredible views of the Pacific until we finally arived at our first destination. Located just 7 miles west of Port Douglas is Mossman Gorge, part of the Daintree National Park which is home to vast amounts of lush tropical rain forest. We enjoyed a beautiful 2 hour walk rumaging through ferns, gasping at gigantic trees and swinging on vines. Well, actually... it was just me who attempted such Tarzan-like activities and I lasted quite a while until I lost control. At the end of our walk we stopped at the creek for a dip.
I was content with relaxing on a rock
whereas Ali however...
Our next exciting destination was only an hours drive back north to a crocodile farm called Hartley's where we were allowed to take a look (very closely!) at Australia´s well known native animals.
Meet Koala. Cute but boring
The very scary Cassawara (huge flightless bird)
We booked ourselves on a boat tour around the wetlands to see crocodiles feed on rotten bird carcasses (mmmm). I couldn´t believe how high they jumped out of the water. Afterwards we watched a show aptly named 'Crock Attack' which featured a crazy Aussie man playing with a crocdile. He simultaneously tormented the animal and terrified the audience. I understand that he obviously knew what he was doing but I still couldn't help but gasp in astonishment as he addressed the audience seemingly unaware that the angry crocodile could be swimming towards him at any moment. The water was mirky so you couldn't easily identify the posision of the submersed animal which meant there was an extreme element of danger involved. This man happily stood in the water whilst admitting that fact that crocodiles have been responsible for several fatal accidents in recent years. It was only when he splashed water in the right place that the croc revealed himself by leaping out of the water to take a giant bite of air.
I kept my body well inside the boat during this one
Crazy Aussie riles the hungry croc
Don't look so big when they're hiding in the water do they?
