Maybe in Oz

We sure saved the best for last with our Cairns trip.  After a fun few days exploring around Cairns , we headed a couple hours south to Mission Beach to go play on the Great Barrier Reef.  We had taken a big boat from Cairns to the reef before but it was incredibly disappointing - the reef was overcrowded, dead, and far from great.  I did some digging to find a better spot, and after reading the amazing reviews on Trip Advisor decided to do a day tour with Big Mama Sailing.  The family lives on the 60 foot boat and we only had to share it with a few other people.   Setting sail from Mission Beach        Enjoying the ride Boat dog The trip out to the reef was so peaceful, we lounged on bean bags and just stared out at the gorgeous blue water.  After a couple hours we got out to the reef and suited up to go snorkelling.  We could see the reef and fish even just standing on the boat, but once we jumped in the water i...

It was a bit rainy during our stay in Port Douglas so I figured we'd have an easy day and go have a picnic in Mossman Gorge where the weather was better.  We took the bus from the visitors' centre into the park and started walking along the trail.  When we got to a lookout over the Mossman River we were rewarded with the beautiful view.  The river was stacked with numerous large boulders and the water bounced around against them. Mossman River Mossman River Cheesing  Phil's parents enjoying the Gorge From there we decided to do the 2 km walk around the surrounding rain forest, and set off on the trail.  It was a beautiful walk; giant trees tangled together, huge boulders, lots of moss, ferns, and mosquitos.  We walked, and walked, and walked.  It was the longest 2 km I had ever walked - I'm pretty sure the distance was wrong.  it was a really pretty walk though and Phil's parents really enjoyed it.  So much for a relaxing d...

The second day of the Richardson tour of Far North Queensland took us to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rain Forrest.  We started out from Palm Cove and have a nice drive up enjoying the scenery.  When we got to Cape Tribulation it was nice and warm and the beach was absolutely gorgeous.  We just walked around quietly for awhile enjoying the scenery. Cape Tribulation Cape Tribulation Happy tourists Photo bomb We noticed some weird piles of sand all over and some patterns made with little dots of sand.  Must be some critter burrowing on the beach. Weird pile of sand patterns in the sand We had a relaxing lunch, then started heading back down the coast.  We stopped at another pretty little beach along the way and explored it until it started raining.  We also got to see an incredible site in the car - a Cassowary crossing the road. Then we realised there were actually two little babies following the mom, little brown fuzzy thi...