Tropics and Botanics

We had lunch at the Botanic Gardens hoping that the persistent rain would go away while we were under cover. It did not stop properly until late afternoon. The gardens are compact with many exotic types of plants there as well as walking tracks spreading out in different directions. We did not go upwards to the higher slopes however did the lower walks to the lakes area which was slimy, muddy, soaking and sloppy if you went off the track. There were dense mangroves and dark forest in parts. Looping back to the gardens there was a section of old wartime fuel tanks converted to art gallery space. Call me unsophisticated but some of this art is stupid. The conservatory was more spectacular with orchids and other flowers colourful in the dimness.

Beaches Ride

 It has been raining most mornings and this morning seems the heaviest. We had a longish day yesterday getting to Palm Cove and and setting up two hire bikes for a ride to Trinity beach and back.  Two yar ago we could see the path under construction with a new bridge to connect the Palm Cove side to the Trinity beach side.  It works well. We took an hour or so work our way along the 7km to Trinity beach. We kept an eye out for luncheon opportunities in the next few days. This time we stopped at the Surf Club for lunch and tucked into a steak sandwich. We sat down on the beach for a while, at the same spot we did three yar ago.  These beaches always have muddy water due to close mangrove flats. 

Cascade Canyon

 We found a place with a large carpark but not so many cars. There was a note I read that said very crowded at the weekend. Good thing this was a Monday however there is plenty of space along the 1.2 km stretch of river for finding a swimming hole. We spent time gathering supplies before we arrived so carried lunch with us up to the top where the main waterfalls and swimming hole was located. We had it to ourselves until a band of muscians arrived however we had a prime rock table in the middle of the river. I think they were looking jealously at our egg sandwiches and wild turkey cans. We stayed for an hour or so here but I could not see any sooty grunters. On the way back there were other spots to sit amongst the gurgling. A three hour 2.5km walk with lunch and a swim.

Fish Frenzy

 I saw a thing where a QLD policeman said his state was Australia's most disaster prone state. Now we are getting to the crux of it. It rained yesterday and it seems it will again today, so don't tell me there is no rain here. We went for an indoor activity at the local aquarium. We have been to the Melbourne and Sydney versions of this, so this one is smaller but still worthwhile. We also combined lunch with it as there is a big fish tank to see while you are snapping at your snapper.  I had the ribs which were tasty but a huge plate full.  We spent 80 mins following the trail from tank to tank. The water clarity in this control room is way better than we saw on Green Island the other day.

I took photos of things that are similar to what I have seen in Corio Bay. These are rays, seahorses and jelly fish. They have upside down jellies here, very weird. There is also a section on killer fish which I wont see at home but then again they had no blue ringed octos or any octopii to see and we have plenty of those at Clifton Springs.

symmetry

stone fish stone cold killer

zebra killer

horned cow

Did you know it is male seahorses that get pregnant!

Chezest

 We are trying to step up our walking distance and this morning got it out to 4.5km. It was raining overnight so we put on the spray jackets but the Sun came out, the steam was up and the heat was on.  Not super hot but around 24° this morning. Along the way we spied the old ambo station which is now a cafe. Chezest seems a Frenchy type of name and the prices match those in Paris as well. The quality is very good though with a muffin that was huge. Tick off another venue that we wanted to try. There are only so many coffees you can down.

The Cairns Japanese Society

 We were wondering why there were so many Japanese on our boat to Green Island the other day. It seems during their Summer they flock to Cairns for cooler but sunny conditions and it is school holidays there. We wandered off to the Night Market last night as we had seen the tents being erected over the last few days and wanted some finger food to finish the day. This was no night market. That was somewhere else and we were slap bang in another Japanese invasion. It was the annual Japanese festival with fan dancing, drum banging and five kinds of chicken. We were there for finger food and we did try the fried chicken but the dim sum was better. Sayonara.

A Theory of Hosts

 Years ago hotels were hotels, nobody owned a hotel room. Part of the general digital disruption was AirBNB.  They said let us promote your holiday house online.  Then some monied up types started buying hotel rooms. This hotel is selling off rooms but then taking no responsibility for anyone staying in them. That is the hosts job. Our host is actually a remote hotel manager. She manages at least 30 rooms inside here by phone and is a paid employee of the owner of those rooms. I spoke to him and he lives in Melbourne. I asked why we could not use the gym here and we were told it was only for hotel guests as people in these 30 rooms are not hotel guests but he did negotiate use of the pool. Hooray. We have found this situation before say, at Mantra, they sell off rooms and in some cases all of them but they still manage it as a hotel however you will end up in a room that you can see has personal touches and is owned by someone else. I have not seen this at a high end Hilton or Ritz hotels but I have not been in one of those for a while.