After leaving Cairns, we continued our drive along the scenic coastline to Port Douglas. The road, hugging the coastline and mountain range, overlooked the crystal clear waters of the Coral Sea. A stay in Port Douglas has been described as "tropical living at its finest". Port Douglas lies in close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the majestic wet tropical rainforests of Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks. It has a quaint charm-like atmosphere. The main street looks picturesque with statues 
and flowers along the boulevards. 
Wares of every kind were being offered for sale. 
We were basking in the hot and humid sunshine, when suddenly the skies turned dark and before long we were greeted with torrential rains! It seems that we cannot escape the unusual weather patterns down under this year, exactly in 2010 when we are in Australia! Queensland is supposed to be bathed in hot sun at this time of year, but instead has been experiencing the most rainfall in some twenty years, even resulting in some flooded areas in the region. Luckily we had both booked a fabulous Thai massage in the market at exactly the time of the downpour, so we were relatively sheltered under a tarp when the worst deluge hit. There was a bright lining to the rain cloud, however, as this gave us time to check out the shops along the town's main strip in the afternoon!
We found some respite from the rain long enough to enjoy a lunch at an eatery called the Tin Shed, 
which was located along the ocean front and gave us a beautiful vista onto the sea and the fishing boats. 
It was low tide, and some of the boats were actually stranded on the sand! 
We also managed to support the local economy by taking a short excursion on the “Ballyhooley”, 
a historical steam train 
that was pulled by a genuine coal-fired steam locomotive. 
The engine was over 55 years old, and pulled us past many yachts, motor boats and pleasure vessels at their berths in the Marina. 
Then it passed the Yacht club and finally entered an area of mangroves, 
before making a turn-around to return us home once again.
Conditions had not improved on Monday, so our major outdoor reef tour had to be rescheduled for later on in the week, when the weather was supposed to be clearing! We did find sufficient sunny weather to make a morning trek along the entire Port Douglas “Four Mile Beach”.
It was a beautiful hike 
along a wide sandy beach, edged by palm trees and NO visible habitation, so we traversed its entire length and back. All the resorts are located somewhat inland, keeping the beaches totally natural and pristine. While the temperature was moderated by the ocean breeze, and although the skies were overcast and I was lathered by sun screen, I still managed to be blessed with a sunburn at the end of our 8-mile jaunt! At least it was proof that we had indeed managed to spend some time at the beach!
We sailed up the Dickson Inlet in a search for crocodiles. We did see a lot of mangrove swamps, but unfortunately we were rewarded with but one glimpse of a crocodile, 
as the tide was high and therefore sighting is not optimum. We returned from the cruise and managed to finally sight a huge croc...but alas, in the nearby shopping mall! 
The fat gross-looking toads were shown off first, 
and patrons could bid on the toad to become its racing master. The successful contestants first had to kiss their toad before placing him on a table. Then they all had to blow onto their frogs in an attempt to make them jump off the table. 
The winning contestant was the one whose toad jumped off the table first! 
Our dining pleasure on the last night in Port Douglas was a unique experience called "Flames of the Forest". A bus picked us up from our hotel and transported us to a rainforest in the distant Mowbray Valley. The Mowbray Valley links the port of Port Douglas to the Tablelands and the first settlers used to have a route through the valley which brought both the red gold and the real gold from the gold mines down to the coast. It is a peaceful valley with several hundred different species of trees, from ancient trees to new growth rainforest. The location was beautifully decorated with many candles 
and lights. 
The meal promised to "ignite" our senses" by offering us a typical and traditional Aboriginal 8-course meal. Lemon myrtle infused kangaroo loin and steamed fillets of barramundi wrapped in banana leaf were but two of the courses we sampled. We were seated on a table together with 5 other people with whom we "shared the journey". Before, during and after the meal we were entertained by a pair of Aboriginal performers, 
who shared their oral culture, knowledge and history through stories and music. 
It was indeed an interesting experience!
and flowers along the boulevards. 
We were booked into a small studio apartment
that was clean and comfortable, and outfitted with kitchen supplies enough that we could make our own breakfasts 
each morning and lounge outside on our balcony each evening. 
This gave us the chance to enjoy the birds and the palm trees right outside our apartment. 
Our complex had two pools where we could also relax in the evenings.
that was clean and comfortable, and outfitted with kitchen supplies enough that we could make our own breakfasts 
each morning and lounge outside on our balcony each evening. 
This gave us the chance to enjoy the birds and the palm trees right outside our apartment. 
Our complex had two pools where we could also relax in the evenings.
We began our Sunday morning checking out the local church. 
Inside, you could look right through the front picture window to the ocean beyond. 
The scene through the window was idyllic 
and certainly would make concentration on any sermon difficult! We walked along along the picturesque water's edge 
and discovered the local market scene right along the shore. 
Wares of every kind were being offered for sale. 
We were basking in the hot and humid sunshine, when suddenly the skies turned dark and before long we were greeted with torrential rains! It seems that we cannot escape the unusual weather patterns down under this year, exactly in 2010 when we are in Australia! Queensland is supposed to be bathed in hot sun at this time of year, but instead has been experiencing the most rainfall in some twenty years, even resulting in some flooded areas in the region. Luckily we had both booked a fabulous Thai massage in the market at exactly the time of the downpour, so we were relatively sheltered under a tarp when the worst deluge hit. There was a bright lining to the rain cloud, however, as this gave us time to check out the shops along the town's main strip in the afternoon!
We found some respite from the rain long enough to enjoy a lunch at an eatery called the Tin Shed, 
which was located along the ocean front and gave us a beautiful vista onto the sea and the fishing boats. 
It was low tide, and some of the boats were actually stranded on the sand! 
We also managed to support the local economy by taking a short excursion on the “Ballyhooley”, 
a historical steam train 
that was pulled by a genuine coal-fired steam locomotive. 
The engine was over 55 years old, and pulled us past many yachts, motor boats and pleasure vessels at their berths in the Marina. 
Then it passed the Yacht club and finally entered an area of mangroves, 
before making a turn-around to return us home once again.Conditions had not improved on Monday, so our major outdoor reef tour had to be rescheduled for later on in the week, when the weather was supposed to be clearing! We did find sufficient sunny weather to make a morning trek along the entire Port Douglas “Four Mile Beach”.
It was a beautiful hike 
along a wide sandy beach, edged by palm trees and NO visible habitation, so we traversed its entire length and back. All the resorts are located somewhat inland, keeping the beaches totally natural and pristine. While the temperature was moderated by the ocean breeze, and although the skies were overcast and I was lathered by sun screen, I still managed to be blessed with a sunburn at the end of our 8-mile jaunt! At least it was proof that we had indeed managed to spend some time at the beach! Late in the afternoon we boarded the Lady Douglas boat 
for a sunset cruise. 
We could see ships of all makes and sizes in the harbour and along the inlet. 
for a sunset cruise. 
We could see ships of all makes and sizes in the harbour and along the inlet. 
We sailed up the Dickson Inlet in a search for crocodiles. We did see a lot of mangrove swamps, but unfortunately we were rewarded with but one glimpse of a crocodile, 
as the tide was high and therefore sighting is not optimum. We returned from the cruise and managed to finally sight a huge croc...but alas, in the nearby shopping mall! 
At night there was no shortage of great restaurants of every possible variety from which to choose for our evening repast. Each place offered something special in order to attract the tourists. The Hog's Breath Cafe offered great food with a fantastic view onto the Marina.
The Courthouse Hotel had a roving photographer with two cockatoos available for photo ops. 
The Zinc restaurant was a really classy place. 
A visit to the toilet was a must because the restaurant housed an indoor aquarium with brightly-coloured fish that extended right from the hallway into the restrooms themselves. Everyone just spent time in the washroom gazing at the fish!
The Zinc restaurant was a really classy place. 
A visit to the toilet was a must because the restaurant housed an indoor aquarium with brightly-coloured fish that extended right from the hallway into the restrooms themselves. Everyone just spent time in the washroom gazing at the fish!
The fat gross-looking toads were shown off first, 
and patrons could bid on the toad to become its racing master. The successful contestants first had to kiss their toad before placing him on a table. Then they all had to blow onto their frogs in an attempt to make them jump off the table. 
The winning contestant was the one whose toad jumped off the table first! 
Our dining pleasure on the last night in Port Douglas was a unique experience called "Flames of the Forest". A bus picked us up from our hotel and transported us to a rainforest in the distant Mowbray Valley. The Mowbray Valley links the port of Port Douglas to the Tablelands and the first settlers used to have a route through the valley which brought both the red gold and the real gold from the gold mines down to the coast. It is a peaceful valley with several hundred different species of trees, from ancient trees to new growth rainforest. The location was beautifully decorated with many candles 
and lights. 
The meal promised to "ignite" our senses" by offering us a typical and traditional Aboriginal 8-course meal. Lemon myrtle infused kangaroo loin and steamed fillets of barramundi wrapped in banana leaf were but two of the courses we sampled. We were seated on a table together with 5 other people with whom we "shared the journey". Before, during and after the meal we were entertained by a pair of Aboriginal performers, 
who shared their oral culture, knowledge and history through stories and music. 
It was indeed an interesting experience!
