In which we swing through the trees with the greatest of ease

Next day we hired a car and took off into the rain forest. Had a fantastic day. We went swimming in a river in the forest actually in the rain! (Checked in a sensible manner whether there were crocodiles first).

Then we drove to Cape Tribulation which offered (apart from a lovely beach) the opportunity of 'jungle Surfing'. This involves wearing a harness, being attached to a zip wire and flying though the rainforest 30m high (somewhat like Tarzan) from tree to tree, at times even upside down. This was amazing and I recommend it highly. Luce found herself swept along and into this before she could really think. She had the sort of doubts about the integrity of the trees and the fastness of the cords that only someone scared of sleeping on the top bunk would entertain. Let me assure you, before you read her blog, that it was perfectly safe. The trees were solid and it is usual for them to sway in the wind a bit!! She still did every one of them, eyes shut and scared to pieces!!

We had a new man in our dorm that night. Shocked us by arriving and immediately stripping to his underwear. Not at all good. He would have benefited immensely from pyjamas.

My last day! The girls had a surprise for me. I haven't mentioned but on our arrival in Cairns Lucy's eyes lit up at the sight of another Shangri-La hotel. It was an unfulfilled mission. So on my last evening a couple of hours before my flight I found myself bundled into the back of a Taxi by Laura and Lucy with a driver sworn to secrecy. Ten minutes later we were outside the hotel(in thongs/flipflops)and I was wondering how many Shangri-La's I was destined to be ejected from when they let us in! We found ourselves toasting our travels with martinis and margaritas in the hallowed bar! At last! It was the perfect end to everything before parting ways. Lucy and Laura were off to Melbourne and the "Neighbours" tour while I left For Auckland.