5/18
For the first 32km, the road from Atherton to Mt. Molloy was generally down hill with a slight wind at our backs, light overcast, sun peeking in and out, short sleeve weather. WOW we averaged over 26kph into Mareeba where we stopped at the Coffee Experience, a very large roaster of local beans mixed with a great variety of imported beans. Good local brew, but we passed on the tasting tour of 24 blends/roasts at $12 each. In town we ate pies for lunch and I bought a reading book for #1.
Further on down the road we entered the land of huge ant/termite mounds: 4’ to 6’ tall and 2’ to 4’ wide….fields of them. Our aboriginal guide of a couple nights ago told us that the kingfisher bird dives into these mounds to lay her eggs, sometime dying in the process if the mound is too hard to penetrate. The other animal that lays its eggs in these mounds is the goanna. The ants tend the eggs and fill up the entrance/exit holes as the animals come and go. In the end, the ants get to eat the egg shells. In addition, if you have stomach problems, grab a handful of ant mound mud and mix with water and drink. It is the ant salvia that fixes the problem.
1. Ant/termite mound |
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Tonight we are staying in the oldest, very quaint hotel in Queensland: the Mt. Molloy National Hotel ($60 A) sporting a 360 degree wrap around second floor balcony with pub and dinner down. Scott, the bar keep and owner, greeted us and we put Bici in the shed behind the bar. Tonight: dinner in the pub with live music. It promises to be a hot Friday night with the locals, their families and friends.
We have moved from the high plateau valley and are now entering the Rex Range Mountains that are part of the Great Dividing Range. The views from our balcony off into the mountains are quite something: clouds hanging like puffs of cotton all along the ridge top, back lit by the setting sun. Now how do you top this? The music has begun to drift up from the bar, stirring Judee out of the hammock. Time to boogie?
Note: Fireflies in Aussieland are called tree fairies because they fly high up near the tree tops.
5/19
We enjoyed a goodnights sleep over the bar/pub in the Hotel, sung to sleep by guitar singer wailing and warbling into the night. Sounds of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Beatles and Stones brought back fond memories of our earlier times.
Today’s ride was rolling up through the Rex Range with a spectacular overlook out across fields of cane, woods, and pastures to the Coral Sea. Then we plunged down from the mountains, tight curves almost switch backs for our 8km back down to sea level. Hot and moist weather. Bici having some chain suck problems, so we had to manage the brakes and keep tension on the chain. Into Port Douglas we pedal.
1. Coral Sea |
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5/20
I (Judee) am sitting in the shade of a micro light hanger and Art is flying! We passed these coming into Port Douglas and Art began talking about wanting to try these and the opportunity presented itself today! Port Douglas is an upscale touristy town, complete with Sunday Arts and Crafts plus veggie market in the park, outrigger races, bicycle races, parasail surfing, ocean kayak rentals in addition to dive and snorkel boats to the reef. This is a busy place for fun!
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