When Sharona left of Sunday I stayed one more night in Cairns before I moved on to Port Douglas. This town is located about an hour north of Cairns, right near the tropical rainforest called Daintree Rainforest. Located on the Southern tip of this rainforest you can find the Mossman Gorge. These areas are known for their native Australian inhabitants: the Aboriginals. I was very ready to get to know more about all of this!
I arrived on Monday in Port Douglas, which was very quiet at the time.. It's low season and therefore there were only a few people in the hostel (or in Port Dougie for that matter). The first night I had the hostelroom for myself (whoohoo privacy!!) and the next day I booked a bus to the rainforest. Again, I was the only one going. The guy dropped me off at the Mossman Centre, where a few Aboriginals would drive you further into the forest. Altough it wasn't easy to understand the local man who brought me there, I am sure he was telling me great stories about the area and how the Kuki Yalanji lived there for many years. Nah just kidding, I was able to understand a bit of it, and I loved how passionate he spoke about his people and the way they maintained to continue living in a way that met their values and beliefs. We should take note of this, I always find it impressive how tribes are able to do this and stick to what they believe it, no matter how the world around them changes (I could go on and on about this, but not everyone might share my passion for remote areas and tribes ;) )
I asked the man from the Kuku Yalanji tribe if I could do this trek through the rainforest on my own and he answered:"Yeah you should be fine. Just in case you see a python, try not to approach it and he probably moves away". Thanks mate, super helpful advice if I'm out there on my own! Anyways, I decided not to think too much about all the dangerous wildlife, and do this Bear style! Bear Grylls' shows and books have made me understand so much better how magnificant it can be when you trek on your own and become one with the forest (yeah so I'm not camping out, but this is step one!). I love nature, and absolutely respect it in many ways, so I made sure I was careful during that trek. (But hurrayy I made it back to the centre! Got lost a few times: Seriously, a T-junction?)
There was literally no one I came across during the trek (which took around 1,5h). Unbelievable and also a bit creepy. I encountered the most amazing little spots, including different creeks, little waterfalls, huge stones and massive fig trees. If only I could let you hear the sound of the rainforest. Wow, something I will not forget for a long time.
Unfortunately the bus that was supposed to pick me up forgot about me (Uhm, how do you forget about your only customer in the middle of the rainforest?). After half an hour I decided to call them. Of course they were super sorry and sent someone over right away. With a little hassle they decided to give my money back, which I thought was nice of them.
Back in the hostel I met another Swedish girl (wonder if all this is a coincidence or if someone is trying to tell me something. Oh, I also found a Swedish coin in the hostel in Cairns. Interesting.)
There was also an English girl. The three of us decided to walk along the swamps (YES, salties again! But the rain season is just about to start, so you won't see them on the riverbanks just yet. Still gotta watch your step though, you never know!) towards the Ports Douglas port. Super cute little port with expensive boats, tour operators and a few little cafés. Took some nice photos while the sun was about to go down. Gotta love those moments.
On Wednesday I travelled from Port Douglas to Cairns and flew back to Melbourne. The German girl was also on the airport, so we killed some time together whilst playing cards.
Queensland was and is, from South to North, an incredible area with a range of amazing wildlife, pristine beaches and beautiful flora. Altough the heat was sometimes unbearable, it was absolutely worth visiting.
Hope you enjoy the photos!
Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. Stingers and salties, so no swimming!
The actual Mossman Gorge. Beaut.
Doing it Bear style! (and some help of my self-timer)
Information about the Kuku Yalanji was provided throughout the forest
The port in Port Douglas
Sounds like you had a hoot of a time between pythons, Kuki Yalangi, T-junctions and becoming a local in Port Dougie. I've heard it is beautiful there, I must go. You have seen so much more of this country than me, and I live here.....
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