It's About The Journey

Reefs, rainforests, waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes in volcanic craters, crocodiles, cassowaries and ridiculously friendly, genuine people. North Queensland we are in love with you.

Zeke and Lani were beyond delighted when Aunty Emma and Uncle Aaron rocked up to our campsite at Hold It Flats, south of Proserpine, and even more so to spend ten rare days with them both in this magical part of the world. Mermaid Aunty Emma diving with us on Hardy Reef and the mind-blowing Yongala wreck, fishing Alva Beach with Uncle Aaron’s expertise, snorkeling with the big fish on the Great Barrier Reef and long hours by the campfire talking about all the important things in the world.

As always, saying goodbye was tough but we continued north to Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma National Park, where the bonus of school holidays meant making best friends and playing all day in nature’s playground, a dry creek bed near our camp. The crystal-clear waters of the granite swimming hole seemed to cleanse us for the laid-back lifestyle that North Queensland dishes up on huge platters of green and calm and happiness.

The magic of Paronella’s castle in the rainforest with its story of an inspiring man following his dream, rediscovered in the overgrown rainforest and brought forward to share with us all again some 80 years on.

The Daintree rainforest and Noah Beach where we witnessed first-hand the goddess Eos breaking open the gates of heaven for Apollo to ride his sun chariot across the brilliant blue sky (yes, we’ve all been reading Stephen Fry’s latest book, Mythos, in fact, Zeke has read it 3 times!). The filtered green light of dense rainforest at our campsite made for one of the best classrooms in the world – albeit somewhat distracting at times with lace monitors, cheeky swamp hens and wompoo pigeons calling by.

Long barefoot treks through the rainforest, holding big sticks to ward off the wild pigs we could hear grunting not too far away. Iconic four-wheel drive trekking north up the famous CREB track, ending with a giant five metre saltwater crocodile hanging out safely far below on the banks of the Bloomfield River.

It was a privilege to spend time with old friends and legendary locals in Cairns, sharing their secret places where everywhere you look is the picture postcard stuck up in millions of offices around the world, “if only”… the long, lazy, sun-drenched day at mysterious Lake Eacham, a recovery hike into the rainforest at Stony Creek and delicious scones with local homemade jam on the shores of Lake Barrine.

Now it’s time for a little side trip. Yesterday we left our rig in Cairns and flew to Sydney to be met with warm hugs and so much love from our beautiful family, where Zeke and Lani are being spoilt rotten while Mum and Dad head off for a brief adventure to Canada with Tex for a couple of weeks.

We feel the universe continues to smile upon us and we are making the most of every moment. To borrow a quote from the wonderful Anthony Bourdain, may he rest in peace:

“The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”