Morning flight to Cairns. Taxi rip off to start. Added 10% fit using a credit card. Then virgin air soaked us for luggage, apparently we had carry on only fare.

Rented a car and headed up along the world heritage highway, cooks highway, windy road with coastal views. Water a very different color here. Gone are the turquoise bays replaced by silvery or colorless water.

Lunch in port Douglas. Looks like key West of a generation ago. Waiter explained I could legally drink two beers and continue at one per hour. I had trap water.

Foot in water edge. Three Swedish women were careful to point out the no swimming sign, crocodiles.

Bookstore cafe for a break. Asked if bookstores could and do thrive here. Yes. Less so in the big cities but still OK there also.

Hot and humid, like Vietnam, it is the start of their season. Southerners come up North.

Hotel is in the train forest. Spectacular setting. View from room is onto daintree river with maybe 10 meters of forest in between. River view room.

http://www.silkyoakslodge.com.au

Ellen talked us into coming to see and stay in the forest. So fat looks like an outstanding suggestion.

Tasmanian oysters, three different and fine preparations. Shooters, raw with citrus foam, encrusted and baked. Main of nannygai and grilled prawns.

http://www.fishsa.com/nannygai.php