The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef!

We did not realize the oldest rainforest on the planet was just inland to the coast where you access the Great Barrier Reef when we started planning this adventure. What a bonus! The Daintree Rainforest is estimated to be 180 million years old which is tens of millions of years older than the Amazon Rainforest. We took a half-day guided tour through Daintree Discovery Tours (http://www.daintreediscoverytours.com.au). The first part of the tour was a river cruise where we spotted some cool wildlife.

Next we had afternoon tea at the Mossman Gorge Visitors Center (yes, it's a thing here). Your choice of tea or coffee with scones, butter, honey and jam. Delicious!  

The afternoon wrapped up with a stroll on an elevated walkway into Mossman Gorge National Forest. At the far end of the walk was a jungle river. We would have been allowed to go for a swim but the current was too fast that day, but Danny had to dip his toes!  

The trees, vines, ferns and sheer density of the forest were impressive. I would have loved to spend a whole day there soaking up the untamed atmosphere of the jungle... staying on the path, of course!

The Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing visible from space. We were lucky enough to see it close up!

Unfortunately we had to wear these outfits.

There is no way pictures could do justice to the reef, and we spent most of our time experiencing it with our eyeballs rather than through screen, but here's what we have to share. 

We also saw giant clams, sea turtles, and white tip reef sharks.

Between all the above excitement we had ample time to enjoy Port Douglas, which exists almost exclusively as a tourist town.

Dave proved that if we were stranded on a deserted island,he could keep us alive by opening coconuts!

...and now it is time to move on to Perth, and the real reason we are here, facilitating the study abroad semester. We are anxious to see our flat and the town of Fremantle, our home through the end of June!

Such good travelers!

Waiting to get on their sixth flight in the last two weeks.