Swimming with Sharks, Cruising with Crocs

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!