Well, our week here in (or almost in) Port Douglas is coming to an end. After the first few days of coolness and drizzle, the weather has cleared up and it's pushing 30c most days. What have we done? The big items were the tour of Mossman Gorge with the native guide, which was interesting and enjoyable. Drove down to Cairns and went to the markets up at Karunda, which is a pleasant enough drive, but the 'markets' are just more of the same tourist-trash as everywhere, and basically it just provides somewhere to go. We did have a rather nice lunch at the pub though, one of the place's redeeming qualities. We also had booked on a music tour up the river on the Lady Douglas. supposed to go from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, but wait, what a surprise, they called and cancelled it citing us as being the only guests. But of course wouldn't we love to go on the 4.30pm sunset tour. What a giant pain, and a mistake to be sure. The boat was packed and noisy and the bogans and their snotty kids were running amok. As for a 'tour', it travelled past mangrove tree after mangrove tree for an hour and half, the ennui interspersed only with the sighting of the resident crocodile and the obligatory sunken yacht. We ended up back past the marina and out a little bit into the bay for the sunset climax - or not. I couldn't get off fast enough. To make up for our disappointment we went to the Courthouse Hotel in the heart of the town and ate a bucket of king prawns and quaffed down a very nice bottle of Prosecco - that'll show 'em!
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| Brian quaffing Prosecco. Court House Hotel, Port Douglas, Qld |
On Saturday we got up at 5.45am (yes, very early indeed) and drove the 70km down to Cairns so I could do a Parkrun at 7am, which was pleasant enough. After we went and found somewhere salubrious to have a big breakfast of eggs and salmon and tomatoes and mushrooms, and several cups of coffee. I think this is the only place and time we have done this, but highly appreciated after the early start. We tramped yet-another-market across the road near the pool, as we have done several times in the past but to say it was not much to look at would be heaping praise upon it. We followed this up with a visit to the big shopping centre and bought a pair of shoes each - my Parkrun ones have had it!
When we were through with the thrill of the big city we wended our way back to Palm Cove, about 20km and 200 roundabouts north of Cairns central, where we plonked ourselves on the beach and relaxed for a few hours. Finally I was driven by hunger pangs to go and find some take-away food from the forest of silver-service restaurants that line the Esplanade. I opted for fish and chips for me and calamari for Judy, and both were excellent. Another hour or so doing nought and we thought that a last coffee on the way back to the car would be a fitting end to a nice day out.
Today our last day and apart from the obligatory visit to the Port Douglas Markets, huge, but why do all the stalls look familiar? Honestly, you go because there is not much else to do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and who knows, you might find a bargain. Judith bought some odd looking aubergines for 85c and a new hat for $15, and that was our contribution to the local economy. Anyhow, that's been our Port Douglas stay for another year.
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