Kanga-Route: The Great Barrier Reef

Over the long Easter weekend we decided to squeeze in one more trip and we headed north to Cairns, Queensland. And for the record Cairns, is pronounced Cans. As much as we wanted to make the trip to New Zealand while here in the land downunda it just wasn't financially in the cards. And once we had ruled that out as a possible destination the GRB (Great Barrier Reef) moved quickly to the top of the list of places I felt we needed to see before we headed back to the states.

A friend here in Sydney also suggested that while in Cairns, we take a day trip to Cape Tribulation. A spot about 3 hours north of Cairns, one of the two places on the globe where the rain forest meets the ocean. The other being in Brazil. So I figured that this has to be something worth checking out.

On the way to Cape Trib we stopped at Crocodile farm, a part of the Daintree river where there is estimated to be about 400 Crocs. But after a brief 30 minutes on the water, we were unsuccessful in seeing a single, solitary croc. A bit bummed we got back on the coach and continued our trek north. About another hour along the way we stopped for a "raintree" walk. It to say the least, it under-delivered.

Once we finally arrived in Cape Trib the views really were quite amazing, breath taking even. With the Daintree Rain Forest to our west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The town itself is even more remote than it had been described to us...leaving us little to do with out having a 4-wheel drive, and bottomless bank accounts. And unfortunately for us, it was just the end of "stinger" season meaning the jellyfish, sting rays and other fatal, yet beautiful stinging sea creatures had yet to migrate, meaning getting in the water was off limits. We had also been told that it was the end of rainy season, and it was for the most part - but just not our part. It rained the entire 24 hours we were there, we played more checkers and Connect Four than either of us care to admit. I am sure you are all wondering, so I will just go ahead and spare the suspense - Chris dominated in checkers, and I think I took the crown in the connect four.

Once back in Cairns we anxiously awaited our day out on the ocean - our day trip cruise really was the highlight of the trip. We were able to be out on the open water, we stopped at two different reef locations, had great food on the boat and enjoyed the sunshine in the afternoon. There was plenty of wind so the crew put up the sails and we sailed all the way back to Cairns.