Friday 22^nd June Port Douglas

Had a wonderful night in the hotel. Room with balcony over water.

Sheraton Mirage - 5.5acres of pools

that's Our room 2nd from left, ground floor

Went sunbathing at one of the pools where they have sand in the water! All very lovely. We caught up with boys and co again today for brunch before they headed off for the wedding. It has been great to see them.  They had enjoyed their day on the reef. We then booked into a different caravan park. Only little but closer to town and the beach. There are sports grounds adjacent and then CWA rooms. All this land was left to the public in a will and the land must be always used as a caravan park. It is right next to the Peppers resort and would be valuable land. We go out the back gate and across the road and the 4 Mile beach is there. It is very flat and the sand is hard enough that we can ride our bikes along the beach. Lovely!

Riding on the beach

They have seats and umbrellas that can be rented! Haven’t seen this on Australian beaches before. The lady at the park is very friendly and helpful and we would love to come here again.

Saturday 23^rd June Port Douglas

We had a wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef. After much deliberation we chose a boat that took us to a pontoon where we could snorkel, go in an underwater observatory and go in a type of glass bottom boat. It took an hour and a half to reach the pontoon.

Fay snorkling

the submersible

One  of Fay's Swimming companions

We went first in what they call a semi submersible and we could see fish and the reef thru the windows of the boat that were below the waterline. Amazing! (An overused word I know) I, Fay, went snorkeling. All the gear is provided and there are areas cordoned off with ropes for people like me to hold on to. Once I figured out how to use the snorkel all was good. It was wonderful to swim among the fish and see the reef. It is not flat as I Imagined but there were like mountains of reef and then it would go down. As we sailed back to port parts of the reef were very visible on top of the water also. Food was provided and all in all it was a fantastic day.

Sunday 24^th June Port Douglas to Cairns.

Left our park early and did the groceries before we went to mass. Actually had a priest! He was very erudite and interesting to listen to. We wondered whether he had a background as a lecturer because his sermon seemed in parts more of a lecture then homily. In saying that though, he was concerned that all visitors were able to get where they wanted to go. We then headed off to the markets. Very big. Bought some second hand books, fruit and a lovely present for a new baby.

We then headed to Cairns. We were sad to leave Port Douglas as we have really enjoyed this area and would be keen to come back again. We are in a lovely Park In Lake Placid. This is on the edge of the Barron Gorge National Park. We are surrounded by rainforest. We are opposite the river where the water comes down from the gorge into the lake and then the river. We have been for a walk and once again it is lovely. I –Fay- went for a ride for about an hour today. I was on bike paths all the way and very flat. Also went around a wetlands. Very enjoyable. Tomorrow we are off to the skyrail and railway.