Early September I flew into Cairns and spent a few days in
Port Douglas. Port Douglas is small beach town about an hour North of Cairns
but centrally located for both the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest,
apparently the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet.
It’s a super cute beach town that I fell in love with, so small that I could
navigate the entire town on my first day (you know my direction sense). I
stayed on the main street surrounded by bars and restaurants with the marina on
one end and 4 Mile Beach on the other.
I took a daytrip sailing out to Low Isles, a tropical sand
cay, and snorkeled with turtles, numerous fish, colorful corals & even
sharks.
The next day was spent trekking around the Daintree,
visiting the rainforest, Cape Tribulation & Mossman Gorge, cruising down
the river & taking a swim in Cassowary Falls.
A rare cassowary siting. Apparently a very dangerous bird?
our ride
Both of these trips were great because they were well
organized (literally just had to roll out of my apt) but also introduced me to
some really interesting people. I didn’t expect to have company for meals but I
met a great girl from Detroit on my rainforest trip and spent a night out with
her and then the next day met two women from Melbourne on the beach and had
dinner/drinks with them and their husbands. I love sharing stories and meeting new people
so this randomness was right up my alley! Although, I loved the company I also took
the time to read, get a massage, go for a beach walk, sun and shop the markets.
I was really feeling the relaxing, carefree vibe of the town and by the end was
approached by three different groups of people looking for directions. The best
part was I could actually give them!
Glad I saw this sign after my swim!
My last night was spent at Salsa Bar & Grill. It was
rated #1 restaurant in PD on TripAdvisor and the locals I spoke to all raved
about it. I was eating my seafood & crocodile jambalaya (when in rome…or
GBR) when I came across this plate on the wall signed by Bill Clinton on
9/11/01. Apparently he was eating there when he received the call from the
states and was told to return. Being the week of 9/11 I felt closer to NYC even if I was on the other side of the world.
My last day was spent at the Sunday markets. I’m a big fan
of local markets and this one was pretty great- a huge cast of characters
selling tropical fruit, art, jewelry and anything in between. There were
fortune tellers (of course I got a reading) and musicians, artists and farmers
and everyone had a story to tell. I can see why so many people come to PD and
never leave. There is something so charming about this town. It makes you stop
and smell the roses (or in this case coconuts) and just enjoy life. I loved the
happy energy of it & hope I can go back sometime in the near future!
making sugar cane juice
so good!
