CAPTIVATING CAIRNES &

CAPE TRIBULATION

Traveller, there are no paths. Paths are made by walking.
Original Australian Proverb

BACKPACKERGRANNY

After four intoxicating days in Sydney, I took the plane to the coastal city of Cairns, Which is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation and the fabulous Tablelands.

On arrival, I quickly checked into my hostel, and without much ado, I went to explore my surroundings. It was love at first sight! What can I say?

There I was in this incredible tropical city, walking along the promenade that graced the pacific ocean and where enormous Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, and many other stunning birds took centre stage. Up above in the trees were also hundreds of small multicoloured feathered friends chattering ten to the dozen. I began to think that I had died and gone to heaven. These are the moments in my life that make me feel so grateful to be alive.

When I returned to my lodgings, I met two super cheery ladies; Angela from Los Angeles and Carol from New Zealand. One of the perks of staying at hostels and sleeping in the dorms is that meeting up with like-minded travellers is effortless. That was the case with my new found friends, and from that moment on, we were like the Three Musketeers. “All for one and one for all.”

The following day, when the manager of our hostel suggested that we join a two-day tour to Cape Tribulation with a night in the rainforest, we eagerly jumped at the idea. With scarcely enough time to grab a few necessities, we only just managed to catch the backpacker bus, and ho hey, we were on our way!

Approximately two and a half hours later, we reached the magnificent Daintree rainforest in which we were going to pass two whole unforgettable days. It was a surreal feeling to be standing in the middle of the oldest rainforest in the world, estimated to be 180 million years. Far older even than the Amazon rainforest.

I would have stood there all day, but our guide Chris, promptly led us to our new abode, “Crocodylus,” a beautiful echo resort mainly catering for Backpackers. Once we had gathered together in the main reception, come dining area, we were given a short “Meet and Greet Welcome.” which involved some necessary briefing on our surroundings and safety tips regarding our wildlife neighbours.

After we had fully digested the essential information, we made our way to the sleeping quarters, which consisted of wooden huts with shamrock green canvas walls. The windows were a slightly more transparent canvas that gave a strange eerie feeling when you looked out at the forest’s nightlife outside. I did have my doubts about walking out in the middle of the night to go to the loo, but of course, if I hadn’t survived, I wouldn’t be writing this account today.

That same afternoon we were left to our own devices, So Carol, Angela and myself went off to explore our surroundings. We couldn’t believe it when by sheer chance, we came across the fabulous Cassowary, the second of the earth’s most massive birds. They weigh over 100 pounds and stand six feet tall. They are also very dangerous, and if confronted, they can very quickly kill you. Fortunately, at the meeting, they had warned us, so we kept our distance. Nonetheless, we were delighted with our encounter, as the Cassowary is a magnificent creature.

That evening we joined the rest of the travellers to have our evening meal. The tables were able to seat eight people. As we took our places, I noticed an older man making a beeline for the chair directly in front of me. I was fascinated to know what he was doing with all of us in the depths of the rainforest. It worked out that this adorable gentleman was eighty years old. He was a native Australian who spent a large part of his life backpacking around his country. Coupled with this, he had a brilliant sense of humour. He spent the entire evening relating loads of hilarious stories.

After having passed a fabulous and very entertaining evening, this adorable persona came up to me and said: “I can’t remember when I have had such a lovely time.” He touched my heart, and I have never forgotten him.