Day - 26. Palm Cove (3)

It was fortunate that we were here today.  On the first Sunday of each month a market appears, running the full length of the Esplanade.  Stalls are many and varied, selling trinkets, jewellery, clothing, candles, pottery, toys, beauty products, natural therapies, food, and much more.  There was even a tent selling "on the spot" massages.  Number of purchases?  Two (restrained because of luggage restrictions)!

One of the street entertainers amongst the market stalls.  She is an immobile statue until someone places coins in her collection bag, after which she blows kisses and changes position.

Inside the Peppers Beach Club.

The BBQ on the deck is handy and well-appointed.  Our pork fillet is roasting for dinner, whilst we have drinks overlooking the beach.

The Esplanade was closed to vehicles for the day to allow the market to be set up.  This is a view of part of the market, with the ocean in the background.

D

Day - 25. Palm Cove (2)

We have now settled in to our lovely apartment, and enjoying the ambiance and luxury of the place.  

This morning we luxuriated with a cooked breakfast, followed by watching the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games.  This of course took up most of the morning.

This afternoon was spent wandering along the main foreshore street, looking for interesting shops.  No luck - the stores are all either food or coffee shops interspersed with apartment buildings.  There is actually one small well stocked supermarket behind the main street.

Taken during our afternoon stroll along the beach path.

The pool at the Pullman Palm Cove Resort.

Chapel at the Pullman Resort.

A wedding taking place on the sand.

A surfer struggling to control his paraglider in the quite strong onshore wind.

The "surf life saver boys" packing up for the day.

Day - 24. Palm Cove (1)

Sadly we had to depart our Port Douglas "home" this morning by 10.00 am.  The drive to Palm Cove is very attractive along the coast, but only took about 30 minutes.  Since we could not have access to the Palm Cove apartment until 2.00 pm, we had some time to kill.

So we drove to Trinity Beach to have a look around, and found a very inviting little Italian restaurant overlooking the beach.  The lunch was delicious - duck liver pate with ciabatta and crispy pan fried prawns with pepper sauce.  This restaurant was such a great find that we may try to go for lunch another day whilst we are here, because it is only about 10 minutes away.

Our apartment in Palm Cove is called "603 on the beach".  Not sure why, as the name on the front is Coral Horizons.  Perhaps the new owner has renamed these apartments.  Ours is on the first floor overlooking the ocean.

The beach viewed directly out the front of the apartment.  Slightly windy today, although it has remained sunny.  The temperature has dropped to 25 degrees !!!

A brand new spacious interior, which is sparkling white.  It appears to have been newly renovated, because none of the appliances have been used yet.  This is an excellent spot to stay for 6 days, even if it is a bit busy along the road in front.

Our lIght and airy room with a view over the ocean.

P&O ocean liner moored just off Cairns as seen from the beach.  A continuous flotilla of tender boats are ferrying the passengers to shore for a sight seeing day.

This is certainly the most attractive apartment interior so far.  Note the glistening kitchen and black splash backs at ceiling height.

The balcony has an outdoor kitchen and a 6-seater table setting.  WOW for a lunch or dinner on the warm balcony!!!

Day - 23. Port Douglas (5)

A quiet and relaxing day today, including chores in preparation for our departure for Palm Cove tomorrow morning.  We washed clothes, turned on the dishwasher, and went shopping for Coral Trout and oysters for dinner and meat meals to take with us.  Tonight will be the task of trying to stuff everything into suitcases and boxes for the drive to the next apartment.  

We drove to the Mirage Resort for a sticky beak (Judy went to a conference there many years ago), had a look at the Wildlife Habitat centre, the Marina where day trippers were returning from an all-day outing on the water, and a last look at Macrossan Street.  At the Wildlife centre an employee was hand feeding a female baby kangaroo with a bottle of water - she was so cute with a very pretty face.

The Mirage Resort is slowly being upgraded.  It is still an elaborate and grand establishment.

The waterfall in the Mirage complex.

The park at the entrance to the marina in Port Douglas.

Looking across the river to the mud flats at low tide.

Day - 22. Port Douglas (4)

After a walk on the beach and coffee in the Main Street, we had lunch and then drove Maxine and Russell to the Cairns airport for their flight home.  They are not looking forward to Melbourne's freezing cold weather after the very pleasant days we have been experiencing here.

Another perfect evening here in Port Douglas.

The girls dancing on the sand at 4 mile beach.

The girls dressed up for our last dinner together in Port Douglas.

Sails gliding through the trees in the Port Douglas harbour.  View from our apartment.

Day - 21. Port Douglas (3)

Today is the warmest we have had here, with a predicted 28 degrees maximum.  The sun shone all day and there was not a breath of wind, so we should have gone to Mossman Gorge in the rainforest today rather than yesterday.  Brian and Russell had a swim in the pool which is relatively cold because it is in shade for most of the day.

Dinner for our last night here with M and R is take away Thai food from a highly recommended nearby restaurant, to be consumed on our deck overlooking a fantastic tropical view and listening to the waves breaking on the shore.

The beach looked inviting on our walk this morning.  Sun was out, muggy and 27 degrees (hot)

Ed

Judy enjoying the garden below our apartment

Maxine playing tennis on the private court at the apartment.

Not sure who won but it was hot work.

The apartment overlooks the pool and is on the top level.  Swimming here is on the agenda for tonight to try to cool down.

The garden is exceptional, with tall palms and bamboo stretching to the sky.

Day - 20. Port Douglas (2)

Day started off ok with warm weather in Port Douglas, breakfast on the deck and a trip to Mosman Gorge.  Got to the gorge , jumped on the bus and then the heavens opened up.  Walked along the raging river and everyboby got completely drenched.      This is a beautiful area but the rain wrecked the day.

Then down to the beach at Port Douglas and sunshine all the way.  Up to the lookout and shopping again and a great meal on the deck in 25 degree weather,  just perfect.

Sorry Melb. But it is so warm and enjoyable here that you should all head north every winter.

Mosman Gorge in the mist, still a great, place to visit.

The world renowned 4 Mile beach at Port Douglas.

Same beach from the lookout