Tuesday 15th April - Day 72

Cape Tribulation is known for it's unique demarcation between rainforest and the great barrier reef where two world heritage sites meet. Port Douglas is a place where very rich people like to live. Having booked most of my tours for the rest of of my time in Australia I just need to make sure I'm at the right place at the right time.

At 7:30am I'm picked up from the hostel by a guide in a minibus. Another fellow hosteler, named Shirley from England, is on the tour and we strike up a conversation. For the most part, people I have met travel as 'backpackers' to see the great 'sights' of the world, whether it be something like the Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera house or what ever, but Shirley has left the comfort of her suburban life to also join in voluntary projects - like helping teach poor children of railway workers in Mumbai, India. I listen to stories of the struggle to teach these children, some of whom have no shoes let alone books to study from. This for me, and I'm sure for anyone else who might hear about it, is a noble pursuit and I admire her for it.

Having picked up all passengers for the excursion, we head toward Cape Tribulation. The guide and driver, named Cindy, keeps us fully entertained with jokes and observations of the landscape around us. It's like she's on holiday and we're there accompanying her as her audience. She is very entertaining. We get to our destination, which is a short walk through the rain forest. Looking around seeing unfamiliar looking trees, vegetation and insects is nothing like a lecture, although we all learn something. At one point Cindy picks up an ant. She grabs it between her thumb and first finger and invites people in the group to lick the ant's behind. You must be joking, I think. What the heck is all that about ? When nobody agrees to try it she shows us how it's done. After a few licks the ant secretes something that tastes a little lemony. Apparently, and who knows how this was discovered, Aborigine's use this as a source of vitamin C or something; if someone feels under the weather. Someone in our group (not me) volunteers to try and confirms that you do get a taste after licking. Well, who would have thought it ? I'm in no hurry to see if this works while I am able to buy vitamin tablets from the supermarket. In fact, I think can get away without vitamins, but I wouldn't want to stop anyone else doing it.

We are given time to do a little exploring around the forest and swim in a pool under a small waterfall/rapid. All too quickly, the time ticks by. We then head to Port Douglas. Port Douglas seems a little seaside towns in England. There are plenty of souvenir shops, cafe's, pubs and restaurants to visit. After an hour or so we are back in the minibus and heading back to our hostels.

In the evening I meet up with Shirley and we go for a meal at the local Indian restaurant. It's owned by a Punjabi owner who says he visits India every year and knows Jullundhar and Banga. He puts me on the spot and wants me to speak to him in Punjabi; I pass the test. Did he think I was joking that I am 'Punjabi' too? The food we order doesn't disappoint. Actually, spicy food always seems more filling and I can't eat all that I've ordered. It's been an enjoyable and fully packed day. I say goodbye to Shirley and wish her well in her travels and the next project she is going to.