A one day trip spread over two days. Simple really.

Setting off Friday morning on the ubiquitous 20-seater bus so common in Australia a group of us headed up the coast from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, or as Aussie's call it 'Cape Trib'. Understandable given their need to shorten the names of everything and everyone. The tour comapny - Cape Trib Connections.

A warm and sunny Friday morning saw stop first at a small wildlife sanctuary. The highlights there being a very edible bacon, egg and cheese sanger and a pair of cassowarys. Very tame ones who approach every human hoping for some food. Neither one was disapointed as their ability to swallow whole fruits was demonstrated.

Further up the road, the Marrdja boardwalk. A half hour stroll with the driver/guide through part of the mass rainforest that exists here. A rainforest which covers 1/1000th of Australia's land yet houses 30% of it's plant life. The reason for this, the whole area has been untouched since it began it's life more years ago than anyone can count to. While other rainforests have seen destruction from natural events (volcanos being common) the Daintree rainforest has survived. It is one of the world's oldest and a fascination for anyone interested in plant and animal life.

The trees here, mostly mangroves, have adapted themselves well to the environment, as evolution often does. The roots network out above the current low water level. They have snorkels to breathe when exposed to the air and close up when the water levels rise.

And so onto Cape Trib itself after crossing the Daintree River on a ferry. A small area comprising hostels (I stayed at PK's), a pharmacy and IGA. A pair of beaches and a lot more rainforest. A hot day and a whole afternoon of nothing to do. I slept for some of it, having slept little the night before, and had a wander along the beach. All very pleasant. One of those days where it's fun to do nothing.

The night brought darkness (as it so often does) and after dinner, a walk. Not any old walk though. A nightime walk through the forest. Now, I had expected a few footpaths, the odd bunch of steps and the chance to see some of the nocturnal wildlife. What we got was a very little in the way of footpaths, often just walking where out guide took us. He'd warned of the cassowary's nature to chase people (the object being get yourself a tree between you and the offending bird - these things are lethal when pissed off). No need to worry though. If we did see a bird it would mostly likely be asleep. We didn't see any anyway! However, we did get a whole load of spiders (including one mammoth Huntsman), a frog and a couple of other smaller sleeping birds.

Two hours later and I was ready for bed. Sleeping as I did for most of the night. The only activity I had planned for the morning was checking out and waiting till 12 for the bus, the afternoon return journey. Due to rain and cloud I ended up reading for most of the morning.

The bus rolled back on the ferry across the Daintree before stopping further down. A hour long cruise awaited. Time to go crocodile hunting. Drifting slowly along the banks of the Daintree and the chance to see a few birds, tree snakes and, most importantly, a few crocs - a couple of baby ones (tiny, cute little things) and the larger grown-ups. Big, nasty, evil crocs, sitting in the sun warming themselves. One of the local frogs even accompanied us on the boat, a common thing since snakes can't move on shiny plastic surfaces the frogs have learnt that they're safe.

The afternoon held more than the previous morning. Next stop was the Mossman Gorge. A chance to swim a little or watch other swimming. Then onto Port Douglas. Half an hour to wander round, look at the place and get something to eat.

All a fun couple of days. Well worth the effort, although the $30 night walk, though good, was a little overpriced.

Back in Cairns, after a much needed shower, and I headed off for a night on the town. Going first to the Fox and Firkin with the intention of having a couple of drinks before heading into Tropos. I never made it to Tropos though. I was tired, I couldn't focus my eyes and so headed back to the hostel. Not a bad end to the night though since I bumped into an old friend from Sydney, the extremely cute Esther.

I ended up having a long and satisfying night's sleep. Now ready to face the rest of Sunday at the lagoon since the sun's out and it's another glorious day in Cairns. Also woke up to a text from Melissa asking if I was watching Live8, which I hadn't. Def Leppard were on in Philly. No doubt I'll get to see some or all of it at some point though.

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