Daintree - July 31st

Woke up to rain - not too unexpected as we were in the rainforest! Packed up and headed up to Cape Tribulation - the upper reaches of the Daintree NP. The long boardwalk at Myall Beach was exactly as I had imagined the rainforest to be - tall trees, dripping leaves and the amazing Fan Palms at all different heights and sizes. Quite impressive these latter trees! Click click went the camera.

Refuge from rain under Fan Tree Palms

Fighting for the light

Watch out for barbs

Strangler fig

Twisty vines

Basket Fern

Watch out for Green ants!

A break from tree gazing with a visit to a Vanilla Pod farm which was very interesting! Left with some concentrated vanilla powder - not available retail. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice - the first being...saffron!

Then onto another farm which grows tropical plants for the unique ice cream they sell amongst their gardens. What a treat! Naturally we had the special cup of all four flavours : raspberry, coconut, wattleseed and yellow sapote (looks like a yellow mango and tastes a little like custard). We have a very interesting project planned when we get home to see what the fruits from the unusual trees look like!!

The Daintree Icecream Company

One last boardwalk through the rainforest before we arrived at the Discovery Centre - an amazing walk-through educational experience. An interpretive centre, canopy tower and elevated boardwalks through the rainforest was a great way to finish our exploration of this amazing region.

Fruit in abundance at top of trees

Dangerous Stinging Tree with heart shaped leaves

A quick visit to the Daintree Village (Big Barramundi) before we headed south along the lovely coastal road to Cairns.

It was this big! Big Barramundi at Daintree Village

Set up in the dark (discovered a very large pack group of surprise hitchhikers upon opening the tent - several green and black ants! Argh!! Lots of Mortein used - pesky nature!) before a quick dinner and bed.