To our surprise, when we awoke, it was a bit overcast but there was no rain and the sun was definitely trying to shine. We breakfasted quickly in order to drive to Port Douglas where, on Sundays according to the Rough Guide, an artisan market is held.
As noted in several guide books, the Captain Cook Highway just North of Cairns does indeed form a slim tarmac ribbon between the tropical forest and the ocean. Although the sun was not actually shining on the water, the views were good with many small coves and the vastness of the ocean beyond.
We found the market relatively easily and a parking space in the shade of a tree. It was full of stalls containing a wide range of artefacts made from natural and, in many cases, local materials with friendly stall holders, no tat and absolutely no pressure to buy. We spent ages browsing some of the stalls and talking with the artisans and made several purchases including a beautiful wood bound photograph album which we intend to populate with chosen prints from our Grand Adventure and a birthday present for Lesley of a Fire Opal necklace.
As the market began to close we came across a Thai Massage Tent and I had a very effective and cheap head, neck and shoulders massage lying on the table under the shade of a canopy with ocean breezes keeping me cool. It was very relaxing and therapeutic.
Both feeling hungry and having packed a picnic lunch, we used the satnav to locate a picnic table and found one in the shade overlooking the beach. Lesley set the table whilst I took some photos and then we enjoyed a feta cheese salad with a grand view of the wide bay with waves breaking onto a long shallow beach backed by tropical forest.
After lunch we walked along the beach, paddling in water reportedly 27C, enjoying the sunshine and several photo opportunities provided by the natural objects deposited and arranged on the beach by each successive tide.
Visiting the Main Street in the town we spent some time talking with folk at information centres about reef tours, had an iced coffee whilst browsing the brochures and did a little window shopping then drove back to the apartment along that same road but sadly the sun was hidden behind dark rain clouds so there was no sparkle on the ocean and no discernible sunset. We stopped at a couple of Macdonalds in the hope of finding a wifi connection but to no avail.
We used up the remainder of the red snapper in a fish pie with creamy mashed potato accompanied by a fruity Sauvignon Blanc, read, edited some photos then went to bed.
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