Cooktown

What a day. It was probably the highlight of the trip as we took a drive via the Bloomfield Track from Mossman to Cooktown. So basically there are two ways to access Cooktown, via the sealed road that's supposedly a good trip or via the coast along dirt roads and beaten tracks through the Daintree. 4WD's only and both Ricky boy and the Levey's were up for it. So not far from Mossman is the ferry that takes you across a crocodile infested haven which Rick and I had experienced via a cruise the last time we came to the Daintree. Sadly we didn't spot any croc's today but the ferry ride was fun and made up for it. Maxie was in awe. The road there after was sealed but very harrowing in some places and was down to one lane on the side of a very steep cliff in parts where road workers were attempting to build a road out of nothing. I'm still not sure how they could do it and I was glad that we were on the hill side and not the cliff side. We stopped part way up the mountain at the lookout which took in views of the coast and rainforest. Breathtaking and stunning on such a beautiful day. Over to Cow Bay for lunch and the beach was divine. We made sandwiches and the kids played in the sand. We took some great pic's of the kids on a log. The older four are getting on so well. Billy and Zachie are another story as both desperately attempt to push the other around. We heard many "bi-ie (short for Billy) nortie (naughty). He can't say much but he sure has mastered those two words. The trip was beautiful with lots of river crossings, a gorgeous canopy of trees that arched over the roads and the most dense rainforests. We had a photo taken at the base of a beautiful and very old fig tree just before we left the sealed road. The track from there on was very bumpy in parts, scary in others and very cool to be driving along. Rick was loving the 4WDing but truth be known, would have much preferred to be one of the numerous dirt bike riders that passed us doing the Cape York to Cairns ride. We met some at Cape Tribulation and Rick was in awe asking many questions. The Cape was very pretty with a sparkling stretch of beach, warm streams in the sand and many tourists soaking it up. We drove through an Aboriginal town where we saw lots of kids running through the streets. I wondered where the parents were and then saw them a few blocks away sitting on the porch playing cards. Right. We stopped at the Lions Den, a quirky shack along the route for a beer while the kids played in the playground opposite the pub. Back in the car past some amazing black mountains made from big black rocks which we guess were volcanic rocks. And finally we hit Cooktown around 5PM. The kids were very excited about the hotel. Honestly I was sick of them asking about it ALL day. We left the caravans back in Mossman as you can't take them on the Bloomfield track, so it was pandemonium when we arrived at the Big 4 Caravan Park but this time to stay in the cabins. Scarlett and Max thought it was 5 star, what a treat. And it was to have a proper shower with space and endless hot water. We headed out for dinner to an Italian Restaurant with an Italian owner, Asian cook and had Thai for dinner. Go figure but it was great. And there was live music to top it off and Maxie and Matt played the guitar with the singer. A good night and a great way to finish a really smashing day.