We're Back!!

 

 

Sorry for the radio silence, but my MacBook stopped working altogether – kaput. Lawrence tried everything in the book to get it going again but it was dead.

 

Hence on our next visit to Cairns, a new one was purchased with all the usual set up drama. We had to pay an Apple expert to extract the data from the old and so on…

 

I think I last left you in Cairns for a brief pit stop before heading up to the Tip. We drove up the Peninsular Developmental Road (PDR) with a brief foray onto the Old Tele Track to see the beautiful Fruit Bat falls. We stayed overnight at Bramwell Roadhouse which boasts the best bathrooms I’ve seen on this trip. We could also leave our bikes at the Roadhouse as we didn’t think it’d do them much good being bounced up there and back. Fortunately the road wasn’t as bad as anticipated and after paying the exorbitant sum of $160 to cross the 50 metres of the Jardine River, we arrived at Alau campsite.

Fruit Bat Falls - 
people were swimming but there was a croc warning sign so we took the safe option.

Jardine River crossing

 

 

Torres Strait from Thursay Island

 

 

Lawrence at the Tip

We did a day trip to Thursday Island and got a taste of the Torres Strait. Really worth doing. The second day saw us driving up to the Tip. Once again, the road wasn’t as bad as expected, just  a few ropey bits. We left the next day as the humidity was crushing.

Palm cockatoos

 

 

 

We also see Palm Cocktaoos at the campsite, a real thrill for Lawrence as there were on his ‘must see’ list. They were very obliging and hung around long enough to get some good shots. Crazy looking birds. They remind me of Queen Camilla's hats.

 

 

After leaving the Tip, we headed to the Portland Roads are and stayed at the Greenhoose. It wasn’t exactly luxury accommodation, and the bed was smaller that the one on Boris. I had to sidle sideways to get into the bathroom. However it has a reputation for good birdlife and Lawrence really keen to see a magnificent rifle bird. We could hear those damn birds very clearly, but see one, never. Nobody did, not even the professionals that were there.

  

 

If you look closely at the photo of tree trunk, you’ll see a female eclectus parrot sitting on her nest. A very beautiful and devoted mother to be.

Eclectus Parrot

 

 

 

We drove to Portland Roads and Chilli Beach for the day. It was worth it just for the lunch. The best prawn rolls to be had.

Chilli Beach

Prawn Rolls at Portland Roads - wine was essential

 

I'll write another blog about Cooktown, the Daintree, and a revisit to the Atherton Tablelands very soon.