This day was scheduled to be our (real) “decompression” day, after the dive trip. DAN (the "Divers Alert Network," a medical diving safety organization) strongly recommends avoiding flying until at least 24 hours after doing multiple dives, due to the risk of decompression sickness. They also recommend against climbing mountains, or any activity that would result in significant changes in elevation, due to the way carbon dioxide absorbs into your bloodstream during diving and takes some time work its way back out.
Our first stop of the day was the Mossman Gorge, which happened to be just up the road from our AirBnB, but one of the most recommended spots in Port Douglas. Our location was perfect for getting an early start, and beating most other tourists there. When we arrived, we were one of the only cars in the parking lot. We took the shuttle bus to the top of the gorge and did a loop hike through the rainforest. The fig trees with big buttressed roots are pretty incredible and we saw a pretty wild looking lizard.
Emily said that, after the “hike from hell” in the Blue Mountains, she had to think of this hike as just a walk to the real attraction… swimming in the Mossman river. Despite all of the signs warning of the dangers, swimming is definitely common and, apparently, expected. It was a beautiful spot, with refreshing crystal clear water, and, critically, no crocodiles, since the gorge harbors a fresh water stream a significant ways inland. I flow my drone around, filming Tanner, Justin, Sam, and Joe jumping off of some rocks, but, as I was coming into land, it skidded off a rock and into the water. Justin was standing nearby for the quick rescue, and I immediately pulled the battery out and decided that was the last time that I would try to use the drone on this trip (good news, it recovered!).
We headed back to the AirBnB for lunch, then set out for our afternoon adventure along the coast, into the Daintree Rainforest. The (only) costal road, the Captain Cook Highway, eventually turns into a 4WD only track, but we decided to drive it as far as we could, to Emmagen Creek, before turning around. Our first bit of excitement was crossing the Daintree River on a cable stayed ferry. Emily, having only previously experienced “people ferries,” was amazed that this “car ferry” allowed us to drive both of our vehicles onto it to be shuttled across the river.
We made it to the end of the pavement and, officially, turned around at the first major water crossing, though the rental car company might have a question or two for Tanner about the fish they found in his engine compartment. We stopped at our first deserted beach and saw a monitor lizard in the wild as we were hiking through the adjoining forest. At the second beach, we encountered an assortment of crabs, scuttling under the mangroves, and an odd “beach chicken.” Between our boardwalk stops, near one of the “Cassowary Crossing” signs, Tanner's car did spot a mama cassowary and her baby crossing the road! We examined a large purple plum fruit/seed dropped by one of the trees, and wandered through a mud bog (on yet another boardwalk) looking for crocodiles.
At this point, I could tell the group was getting close to mutinous, especially after I informed them that we wouldn’t make it back to civilization before the ice cream shop closed. Sensing the danger, we made a quick snack stop at the “World’s Biggest Little Grocer.”
Once we got back to town, we made another stop at the local Woolworths (still no eggs for Joe), then went home, made tacos for dinner, and relaxed. Justin had to assist a large toad out of the kitchen at one point, and we played Hearts for a second night, after Lydia lost the first. Emily and Utah engaged in a fairly significant rivalry (shocker), that may or may not have been friendly.
As the night wound down, I read a message from our AirBnB host, who said we had timed our trip well and he was glad we were leaving the next morning, since a tropical cyclone (Alfred) was forming off the coast. Sam just grinned and shook his head.
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