We left Longreach on a train back to Brisbane. It was a 24 hour ride with several mini stops along the way. The train ride was enjoyable, although a little claustrophobic for me. Every one was very pleasant, the quisine was great and the view of the outback & mountains as we passed by reinforced the feeling of the vastness of Australia.
Louise & Mr. E.B. on the train.
The train at Longreach Station
Just leaving Longreach we saw this "truck train"
Typical Outback scenery.
From Brisbane we took a flight to Cairns (it's pronounced CANNES). By the way Brisbane is pronounced BRISBIN. From there we took a shuttle to the Daintree Rain Forest where we stayed at The Silky Oaks Lodge in Port Douglass.
Silky Oaks is a first class resort. Our room was actually a tree house, here's the front view.
One of the walkways in the forest.
Jack & Louise in the pool.
The restaurant sits hign on a hill over looking the Daintree River.
The sign speaks for itself. Saltwater crockodiles. Don't go near the water. Notice the idiot with the camera by the waters edge. (not me)
I think it is important at this point to make a few observations. We've been in Austraila for about a week at this point. Every person we have run into have been friendly and warm. Take note of the idiot I mentioned above. He's from New York. There wasn't a single thing he didn't complain about, made a continual nuisance of himself. He was told matter of factly by our guide to stay away from the river as Crocks can attack from 30 to 40 feet away (that's him in the background behind the warning sign) . I stood taking this picture thinking, "wow, what a kodak moment this could turn out to be". Well, a crock never appeared and we endured him and his wife for the rest of the day. The only down side of being at Silky Oaks was when an American Tour Group came through. They were so obnoxious I thought I should say I was Canadian.
Stopped for a picnic.
The Coral Sea from an outlook.
Our walk through the Rain Forest.
Termite hill.
The picture does no justice to this palm which is about 12 ft across.
Part of our tour today was to cruise the river & look for wildlife.
Crockodile
Bird #1
Bird #2 (notice my deep knowledge of the flora and fauna.
Bird #3
Crockodile #2
Bird #4 an Eagle (I knew this one)
Sugar cane is the major crop in the area, they also grow bananas and tea.
Sugar cane train. They have their own dedicated railroad system that runs from farm to farm and then to the mill.
Bananas
Look at these people driving on the wrong side of the road!
Well we left Port Douglass & The Silky Oaks Lodge after having a restfull and wonderful time. Next stop Dunk Island
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The Dunk Island resort had individual cottages overlooking the ocean. Beautiful views & weather. Only problem was you couldn't go in the water because of venomous jellyfish. I learned that a few years after our visit the resort was wiped off the island by a typhoon.
