Day 1 - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas - 66 km

Early start.  Left home at 3:30 am, picked Joe up and drove to the airport.  Sarah, my perfect daughter drove the car back home again.

We expected to have some hassles at the airport because of the bike boxes, but checkin was smooth.

We went and sat in the food court, to wait for the plane and while we were waiting saw what we thought was the Slovenian dance troupe.  Joe quickly went over to them and showed them a few moves.

Turned out they were heading off to Newcastle and then doing a 6 hour drive to see a Daft Punk concert and thought they would dress up for the occasion.  Too good an opportunity to miss so got a few photos.  Joe wants a shiny outfit now.

 Got to Cairns about 9:15 am and set up the bikes just outside the terminal.

 My bike all ready to go.

Headed off and after about 5 km saw a pie van.  Mmmmm  Pepper steak pie for breakfast.

 Stopped at Harltey's Crocodile Farm about 1:00 pm because Joe wanted to do some croc rasslin.  Paid the money and had a really good time.  Here he is pinning down a big one, at least that's what he told me he was doing.

 Check the size of the magpies they have up here!!!  Could take your head off at breeding season.

 Had a look at the breeding farm and listened to an interesting talk about breeding crocs.  These are about 1.5 - 1.8 m long and are soon to become bags, belts, burgers and boots.

 This is one of those savage koalas.

Also went to an interesting presentation on snakes.

 Did a boat ride and saw a few more crocodiles jumping up out of the water.

This one is just waiting for the right time to grab a tourist.

Headed off about 3:30 pm to do the last 30 km into Port Douglas.  A few hills, but nothing too bad.  Roads were pretty good overall, although a few non existent shoulders.  Slight tail  wind most of the way too.

We got to the YHA at Port Douglas about 4:30, unpacked and headed into town to stock up on food.

Last year Joe was good enough to organise for us to be in Townsville when Sexpo was on, this year he organised Carnivale in Port Douglas.  Streets closed off, tons of rides and stalls and a parade (altho' we didn't hang around for it).

Had dinner at the YHA bistro and heading to bed for an early night.  The barmaid told us there is quite a few hills on the way to Cape Tribulation tomorrow.