So with Josh back with the family once again we headed north for a rendezvous with Dave and Rose in Port Douglas. Our first challenge was negotiating the coastal bends with caravan in toe to Port Douglas in drizzly tropic weather. With the great rainforests of the north rising steeply up from the coast and the road literally skirting the beach, the coastal vistas as one navigates north are spectacular. We had considered leaving the caravan in Cairns, but our journey's direction following our stay in Port Douglas was uncertain and so we thought it best to keep it with us. As usual, it would have been a faster and easier journey without it and Trace would have had a few less grey hairs following our arrival in PD.
Thankfully it was a short drive and we arrived before the grandparents as planned. We had been assured by the agent in Port Douglas there would be room within the complex to park the van. After some difficulty actually getting into the gated complex we squeezed the van into a quiet corner of the parking area with just enough clearance for vehicles to pass around. We left our contact details on the door in case there were any issues with access, but most of the villas appeared empty and so we figured it would be ok.
The villa was great, Trace and I had a great double bedroom upstairs with ensuite and spa bath. All the kids downstairs with grandparents - just how they would like it. Pool just beside our villa, a small courtyard with BBQ which backed onto a grassy reserve with park and then the beach. We had chosen well for a week of more space and a bit of luxury.
After shifting most of our pantry into the villa from the van, Nanna and Pappa showed up and were naturally ecstatic to see the kids and us. They had not seen Trace and the kids for 7 months, so there were smiles all around. Obligatory gifts from grandparents were expected and the kids weren't disappointed. Our next few days were partly planned, Trace had been doing her research whilst in Cairns and Josh was away. Must do's included the cable car up to Kuranda and the train back down, a trip to the Daintree, Mosman Gorge, markets and fishing charter - a lot to cram into a week. Coupled with these activities would be regular sampling from the multitude of local eateries and plenty of ice cream. We were beginning to feel that we had returned to civilisation and to be honest, there was certainly something different about being back on the east coast of the country - it was both a blessing and a curse.
