epilogue

Well what can I say . It Was a experience of a lifetime . We went on our last snorkel trip Monday on the S.V. Malatia with Captain Ed . (Tommy Lee Jones look alike about 10 years ago ) Not necessarily a bad trip but the snorkeling could have been better . It wasn't really the captains fault as he sailed us to the low isles with what started as a calm day. It didn't last for long as the wind decided to blow like 25-30 knots and make the water visibility really poor . There was alot of debris floating in the water . We did get to see some different coral, a turtle, a small squid and alot of fish at this location . I did prefer the other trip location better though as when the tide went to low tide alot of the coral was protruding from the water and it did make it harder to snorkel around the rest of the coral without getting to close to it . They had a great lunch setup for us and and one person didn`t like there lunch on the way back from the boat . Ha Ha .

We also managed to rent bikes on Sunday after the open markets. We rode for about 4 hours . With the tide being at extremes we could ride all the way down 4 mile beach in the sand, and then back to town on the road bike path . Riding bikes on the wrong side of the road and turning into traffic is kind of crazy all by itself . We managed with out any incidents though .We stopped at Paddys for lunch and devoured the fish lunch special for 9.90 . You got salad 1 piece of fish and some beer battered chips (fries). It was actually quite good . It Sadly all had to come to the end though . We did really well considering we planned this trip on a whim and a little over 2 weeks before we left . Our Hosts Fred and Antonia at the Martinque are wonderful people I highly suggest to anyone traveling to Port Douglas stay in there Accomodations. They have a great pool, a superb location, and will help you with anything you need . Not to Mention that if I didn`t have a place with a kitchen I would have easily spent $2000 in food just trying to eat out everyday .
I learned alot on this trip and If I had it to do over I would do a few things differently . If you ever take a trip to port douglas this is how I would go about it the second time .
1. Arrive on a Saturday (why see tip #2)
2. Visit the Sunday markets and load up on fresh fruits and vegetables and potatoes for your stay .They are all very good and half the price of the grocery store.
3. Try and stay up all night the day you leave so you can sleep on the plane and get yourself acclimated to the time changes.We hardly slept any on the trip back and even though it is the next sunday we are still a little messed up .
4. Spend at least 2 weeks and explore another area in the second week
5. Eat at the Combined Club (Tin Shed) Local hangout at the harbor next to the boat ramp. hard to find unless you know its there .
6. Take another snorkel trip on the Wavelength instead of the Malaitia
7. Spend a little more time relaxing at the beach. It is never to crowded and always a nice breeze .
8. Not spend $3 on a coconut to drink the juice out of it . LOL
9. If it wasnt for the Barrons Falls I might pass on the Kuranda Railway . The Skyrail was worth it but I really didnt care for the train ride much. You can take the skyrail to the falls though and pass on the train ride .
10. Try some vegemite (I was scared )LOL

Here are a few useful links
http://www.martinique.com.au/
http://www.wavelength-reef.com.au/
http://www.deluxesafaris.com.au/
http://www.cairnstropicalzoo.com.au/
http://www.crocodileadventures.com/intro.htm
http://www.ajhackett.com.au/
http://www.kuranda.org/
http://www.tripadvisor.com
www.quantas.com