Tropical Update

I am way behind in documenting our travels, mainly because there are better things to do than type on my keyboard, though I am much more up to date with pictures on www.timcooke.com. We have had very sparse internet access at campgrounds since leaving Brisbane (and even a few days staying with friends of friends mostly gave me time to file taxes!) but the current one has a good setup. So I'll comment on our arrival in tropical Queensland.

Since Bundaberg we've mainly been surrounded by sugar cane as we've followed the coastal strip, with some sizeable bush covered mountains inland. Apparently we have a lot more cane to come in the wetter areas south of Cairns but here in Bowen the surroundings are suddenly much more arid right on the coast with large rounded rock formations, while the flat land of the coastal strip is dominated by tomato plants and mango trees (the main Australian variety is the Bowen mango). To the south lie the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and the open hills here afford spectacular views. The beaches are large and uncrowded and with the Great Barrier Reef close a walk at low tide often reveals a large variety of coral. We're enjoyed some shore diving near Bundaberg and are going snorkeling tomorrow; all a prelude to plenty of diving on the Reef at Cairns.

Here in the tropics we are in the winter dry season and while the weather has been unusual (so we are told) and the weekend saw clouds and drizzle as far north as us from a big storm system which flooded areas near Brisbane, we are expecting it to be pretty settled for a while. Winter means temperatures in the mid to high 20'sC (around 80F) with water at about 25C/77F.... just about perfect for us. Accommodation has become more expensive in June (high season for those holidaying from the south) but apparently it is low season for diving as all you northern hemisphere people are enjoying your summers.

One thing we are yet to see is the saltwater crocodiles which inhabit streams and estuaries from here north. We'll not be looking too closely.