Cow Bay, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, Days 195 – 202. QLD

Sunset above the rainforest in Cape Tribulation

What a wonderful week! We are so far behind on the blog. I find myself writing this post 4 months after we were actually there. (and posted 8 months later!!!). However with that said, as I start to revisit in my mind the things we did I also remember the feelings I had about this place and the time we shared. I distinctly remember feeling this might be my fav spot yet, (but then I say that a lot).

We have come back from our overseas trip with a focus to clean up our eating, improve our gut health and that was even before we had Georgia’s ceoliac diagnosis. However, my idea’s of this being a gradual process were not to be. With Georgia being so unwell at this point (in constant pain with her tummy, losing weight, refusing food, aching bones and joints) and Ken commitment to get his body in a state of ketosis it felt like a drastic and immediate change.

But a change for the good and while it felt a little overwhelming to be doing this all while traveling Australia, and the challenges that brings it is a positive change for our family and we are all going to benefit for this. I was very grateful to just be in the one spot for 7 days so I could wrap my head around it.

The house was amazing. Loads of space, set amongst the rainforest and the pool was just sublime. We were off gird so the house was running on solar and had no air-con. It was hot and humid, for that authentic rainforest experience, so to be able to cool off was wonderful.

We love getting out and exploring the new and exciting locations we find ourselves in but everyone equally enjoy’s the treasure of down time at home. And this house was very comfortable to just mooch about in. I even found the time to read a book. Totally unheard of, a guilty pleasure, taking the time and just sitting around reading or staying up late into the quiet wee hours of the morning to read in peace.

After our break from schooling while we travelled in Europe. This was the focus of each morning and the few outings we had took us to the Daintree Discovery Centre which was super, Cow Bay beach – beautiful, cool, interesting beach coombing an awesome tree swing, and a drive to Wadjul Wadjul falls for a picnic with a couple of local crocs.

The weekend bought family time with Meg, Andrew and Jack. Saturday we went back to Brooklyn for lunch, a catch up and play. Then Sunday we all meet at the Daintree River for a crusie before returning to our house for lunch, a swim and more chat.

Walking through the canopy at the Daintree Discovery Centre

It’s been a really joy spending time with Meg and Andrew and to see the next generation of cousins play and laugh for hours in the pools just awesome.

Magic memories made right there. We round out our week with a totally terrific trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. It was a small tour of just 25 leaving from Cape Trib and departing from the beach here it’s only 20 minutes to the reef. Conditions were great, the water was warm and we all had enough time to have a fabulous snorkel seeing oodles of cool fish, giant clams, turtles and clown fish.

Ocean Safari were the company and the staff were super. Suppling a prescription set of googles for Georgia was a complete bonus but the guys on the boat were fab, looking after every little need. Making sure the kids saw all the best stuff and teaching them how to dive down to explore more. They are the only ones who operate out of Cape Trib so you cant miss them but do yourself a favor. It really was just a wonderful morning.

The girls are getting great at snorkelling

The next day we departed having loved every minute. We got word the van was ready to be collected in Coolum so it was going to be some very long days to leg it down the coast. We bid farewell to FNQ, satisfied in what we have done but already looking forward to being back one day.

Cairns, Days 192 – 195, QLD

The girls at Muddy’s playground Cairns.

So we are back on the road but this time without Goldilocks the van. After the rough treatment the roads of Cape York dished out she was in need of some work and Ken was keen to have her all spic n’ span by the time we got back. However this meant the car was in Cairns and the van now in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast some 1,500km away.

Feeling we hadn’t quiet finished our time here in FNQ we opted to pay for accommodation and see the things I just knew I couldn’t leave behind without regret. So after 3 days in Cairns reacclimatizing to the humidity we booked a week in a house in the Daintree / Cape Tribulation.

So so so glad we did and didn’t miss this beautiful bit of OZ. It also came with the added bonus of spending a little more time with my cousins Meg, Andrew and Jack, and enable us to gather a few remaining items they had stored for us while we were away.

At the aquarium

While in Cairns we visited the lagoon and the aquarium. Kicked of the schooling which had been on hold while overseas and cleaned out the car. What a state we had left her in. It was a shock to open the doors and see the dust, sand and uncleanliness we had become immune to while traveling in the Cape. Amazing how one’s standards drop when in the bush.

Pelicans on the waterfront

We had also made the decision that we needed to slow the pace down of our travels. While it’s exciting being in new places so frequently the traveling is over whelming. Not leaving enough time to catch your breath, keep up with the schooling, keep up with the blogging, keep up with required nourishment for each member of our mob.

Georgie has been unwell for months now. Complaining of tummy aches and aching bones and joints. Bless her, she hardly complains but it was time to slow down and have things investigated a little more.

While in Perth we went to our GP and run some test and on our last morning here in Cairns the GP called to say she had tested positive to Coeliac’s Disease. BOOM! What now?

Back on the ‘Captain Cook Highway’ 😉

Well as we were packed and already on the road we continued to Cape Tribulation for a quiet week to read a lot, do what we can to help her gut heal and process what this all means.