Day 169
Thursday
15 June 2017 –
Cairns
More alarms. I was up but not awake as I went through the
morning bits and at 8.15am we were heading across town in the van to Jax tyres
to have two new front tyres fitted. It was a fairly easy commute and we pulled
into their forecourt ready for them to complete the job.
We hung around in reception as they completed the work and
we were all done by 9.15am and heading to our next job, O’Briens windscreens.
We dropped the van, told it would be an hour and directed to the Botanical
Gardens.
We made our way there, only a short walk and then began
trekking around the park. We wandered past huge bamboo groves of all types and
colours before making our way into a pandanus rainforest boardwalk. I felt like
I had walked into a sci-fi, fantasy set, expecting the pandanus swamp people to
appear and greet us.
At the other end of the boardwalk was a freshwater lake and
Chinese temple. The lake was covered in lily pads and flowers. Ducks swam
about, while turtles looked for higher ground. We made our way back towards
where we had entered admiring the large colourful leaves of various plants and
the vines that creep around host trees turning them into a woolly jumper of
sorts.
Paul was eager to return to the van, as the hour slipped by,
so we returned and made ourselves at home in their reception lounge, watching
them fit the windscreen for the next 30min.
When it was all done, we were off to our next stop, the
welders to collect the box rack and then Red Dragon Brewery to return the beer
bottles. Phew! All jobs done, we could return to the park though the work
didn’t stop there. I put on the washing, we emptied the contents above the cab,
put the fishing rod back on the box, put the box on the back, refilled it, made
lunch, set up the living arrangements and about two hours later we were finally
all sorted; a busy and productive start to the day.
We packed ourselves into the car and made our way to Crystal
Cascades. We stopped at the car park. Had a laugh when we read a sign warning
weary tourist about the stinging plant! Seriously this place is trying to get
you in every way possible.
We made our way along the path, passing some bush turkeys as
we entered into the rainforest and along the edge of the water that was rushing
away from us. I stopped constantly to
take photos of the various views. Vibrant greens struck a chord, from the
losses, vines and the larger leaves of various trees.
We walked all the way to the falls where I clambered over
the rocks yet again searching for a better vantage point.
We then made our way back, stopping at different spots to
check on the view and the many fish swimming about. Paul was itching to stick
his line in, but will have to wait for another time.
As we wandered along, a large brown stick took our interest,
particularly when we realised it was moving, a python making its way along the
edge of the water. We sat watching it waiting for the end to finally appear. We
guessed it was about 4m in length. It reached the water and then, not happy on
this side of the bank, set off into the flowing stream and effortlessly made
its way across to the other side. With it stretched out in the water we could
see just how long it was. I was happy to watch it, but glad all the same that
it was well away from me.
We made it back to the car and then stopped in at Coles for
a quick grocery shop and then it was on to the Green Ant Cantina for Paul to
try out their beers. The place was very funky and I couldn’t help but buy a
spicy cheese dip to enjoy as Paul drank. It was delicious.
When we were all done, we returned to the van, unloaded the
shopping and I started dinner. I didn’t think I was that hungry but it went
down well. It was then onto the computer and loading the photos of another day.
Time disappeared quickly and before long my eyes were telling me I should give
up the computer and go to bed.
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