My last post has been finished with our lunch on the amazing Thornton Beach.
Straight from there we went to a tropical fruit' farm in the middle of Cape Tribulation. our guide - the owner, showed us (gathered group of 13 people) a table full of fruits I haven't seen in my life.
From a little coffee-bean like to a 50kg jackfruit. I was shocked. And actually a little bit ashamed that I know so little about the surrounding me world.
The taste was so unexpected! A starfruit taste like an apple, another one is like chocolate pudding, next one was like bubble gum. I couldn't even remember all of those names. For my girlfriend who is from Martinique - all of them were quite familiar, for me there were completely new.
Our plan was to go for a nice dinner after that, but we were too full! All those fruits were very tasty and fulfilling.
We finished our day on the beach and then we came back to our beautiful little "tree house" on the hill.
Next stop - Cairns and Tablelands.
Cairns is situated about 60 km south from Port Douglas - the place I was living. Close to Cairns there is Freshwater creek with beautiful "crystal cascades". It's an amazing place, not very crowded by visitors, but well known for local people. Cold, refreshing swimming hole surrounded by trees
We spent there few hours, mostly waking around. The water was freezing cold, but it didn't stop me from taking a quick swim :D The view was great - from left side - little cascades and people jumping to the water, from other side - huge rocks with a great view on the river and the rainforest along the banks...
Next point on our list was "Paronella Park". We went there through little mountains choosing road in land instead of the coast. It was 50km more, but definitely worth it. We knew the view from the coast by our hearts. But the other road with its landscapes was completely new. after 3hrs we finally arrived. Was hot like in the hell. But welcome to tropics in December...
As we can read on their website:
" Everyone has a dream but not everyone’s dreams are fulfilled. José Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park. On 5 Hectares beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!). It opened to the public in 1935. Paronella Park has received multiple Queensland tourism awards, is State and National Heritage listed and is a National Trust listed property. It is privately owned and operated and Eco accredited. Paronella Park is the site of Queensland’s 1st privately owned hydro electric plant. "
In that place we could touch his dreams. Not literally - the buildings, but his idea. His creations.
In its greatest years that whole place was like Wonderland for Alice. Ballroom, cinema, electrical power in the middle of nowhere, cafe, restaurant. And all of that in 1935!
I am definitely in love in this place!
On the way back home we quickly went to the Milla Mills falls. This time I couldn't even put my foot under the water, because it was sooooo cold...
And I let her drive...
I was terrified!
!
That was for sure my best week in that Paradise. Because of our long distance relationship we don't spend much time together (yet!). Here we spent 8 days doing what we both love - traveling, discovering new horizons, new places. or just simply: being together.
Hope that soon we will be able to finally move together live our life.
Take care Guys! :)
That sounds like an awesome trip. I have Paronella Park on my list. It looks beautiful. Thanks for the insights
Good point on your list :) I was realy amazed