Friday – March 28, 2025
Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas, Australia
Our flight from Perth was uneventful – just long. A bus picked us up and we headed to the Sheraton Mirage Resort in Port Douglas. Along the way we saw many sugar cane fields. The cane is not harvested as we have seen in Hawaii. They don’t burn the cane but simply cut it into sizes suitable for shipment overseas.
Our room was great with plenty of room and a large shower with the shower head build into the ceiling (Jan would now like one of those at our house). We cleaned up a little and headed down to the restaurant for breakfast. The buffet was extensive and included an omelette station and a fresh squeezed orange juice machine.
Off we go to the Mossman Gorge for a romp through the rain forest with an aboriginal guide. Before we enter the forest the guide asks us to participate in a smoking ceremony – a welcoming. We add wood chips to a fire and draw the smoke to us as we circle the fire. Once properly smoked we begin our trek in the woods.
One of the first things our guide tells us is 3 plants to avoid. There are photos of them in today’s media. The most dangerous is the gympie-gympie (see photos). This plant has neuro-toxins on top of the leaves. We were told if you come in contact with this plant you can feel the pain years later because the barbs do not release easily from the skin. After that talk Jan said she didn’t want to rub up against anything!
Along the way we saw an Australian bush turkey (photo). Didn’t have a chance to try the meat but I doubt it would taste like a Butterball.
We stopped at a tree that the guide said would drive snakes away. Laying against the tree was a sword fashioned from wood. He explained the sword and demonstrated how the tree could drive away snakes. Using a granite rock he struck the trunk at a certain place and it produced a deep frequency sound that traveled throughout the forest. You’ll find video of the sword and snake explanations in today’s media.
Going further into the forest we came to an area identified as a sacred spot. It was used for ceremonies such as weddings or “coming of age” or funerals. Our guide spent much time explaining how aboriginal life is structured. One of the interesting items was how grandparents teach the young the ways of the aboriginal – not the parents.
We came to a stream, spent some time just listening to the silence then began our trip back. Along the way our guide showed us plants that are used to heal. He also showed us a seed that is harmful to all but the cassowary (a bird we didn’t see today). The cassowary can eat then distribute the digested seed throughout the forest. These seeds produce plants that have medicinal benefits.
When we returned to the MGCC our guide showed us the didgeridoo and how to play it (watch the video). You practice by blowing “raspberries”. It was an interesting afternoon at the Mossman Gorge.
When we returned to our room we found a couple uninvited guests on the walls – geckoes. As we approached then skittered under the door and were gone.
Our meal this evening was in a pavilion outside near one of the many pools at the resort. I didn’t take any photos. It was “family style” Asian fusion. While we were eating we were joined by a pair of bush stone-curlew birds (see video). They were friendly and curious.
We had a long day since leaving Perth so went to bed early in preparation for our day on the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow.