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Day 13 -Cairns
This morning is free to enjoy the resort and the beach, and to rest after the late night. At lunchtime you will be picked up to travel north to the Daintree River, where you will take a 1 1/2 hour small-boat cruise. There's a lot to be seen on the river, but the main aim is to find and see Saltwater Crocodiles, which are common here. As it is winter, the crocs will be sunning themselves during the afternoon, an ideal time to get as close as possible. After the boat trip you will return to Cairns via Mossman Gorge for a short rainforest walk.

Dinner this evening is spectacular. The curtain raises with your journey to a hidden place down a winding road as the forest welcomes you into the night. In a secluded glade your evening begins as you are taken back in time to the birth of the ancient rainforest. Here you see, feel and hear about the origins of Aboriginal culture and a relationship with the forest that has been in existence for over forty thousand years – venturing on, you light a candle, and are led deeper into the forest. Here you meet other fellow travellers as you dine on a tropical banquet including local exotic produce, fine wines, tropical fruits and spices, chat to our chef about the new flavours you’ve savoured, as you dine by candlelight by a rushing mountain creek under the canopy of the rainforest. Slowly the lights dim again, and the evening unfolds as it would have many generations before with an ancient tale from the Aboriginal Dreamtime. In humble response, the rainforest then tells it’s story – until the golden light again reveals another path to the present, an Aussie yarn or two. And finally, before you depart, if you leave your mark in the handmade book of trees, one tree will be planted from that signature and you will have contributed to preserve local habitats, and these soul nurturing rainforests will last another million years.              D

Day 14 - Great Barrier Reef
Today will never be forgotten, as you venture out for a full day outing to the Great Barrier Reef. Your boat is Tusa, which carries both divers and snorkelers, so you can all join in the same experience. Here you are introduced to one of the natural wonders of the world—Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a series of reefs extending for about 1,250 miles along the coast of Queensland, nearly to Papua New Guinea. Brilliantly colored fish, giant clams, beche de mer and coral outcrops can all be seen. Easy swimming in shallow water brings you over coral “bombies,” heads of coral with their assortment of fishes, and hard and soft corals. Parrot fish glean algae from the coral, and small and medium predators search for food. Schools of fish twist and flash between the outcrops. An occasional sea turtle may be seen. Lunch is a tropical smorgasbord. You will be returned to your hotel about 5pm; alternatively, you may wish to stay in Cairns to look around, shop and eat, and then taxi back to Palm Cove. The Red Ochre Grill restaurant is especially recommended. Featured are meals prepared from exclusively Australian ingredients, often "bush tucker", meaning native ingredients from the Australian bush.         L

Day 15 - Palm Cove
Today is free to look around Palm Cove, enjoy the beach, look for souvenirs and other shopping, and see what else Cairns has to offer, which is quite a lot. It's been a busy two weeks, and a break day will be appreciated, espcially before the adventures of the next two days. The beach is just across the road, and it is safe to swim. There are many boutique shops offering a range of goods, including clothing, accessories, art galleries and typically Australian souvenirs. You might try one of the area's spas, such as Angsana or Espa, for total relaxation and toning using local ingredients. Angsana's tropical fruit inspired scrubs and Espa's ancient Aboriginal medicines and massage techniques, which are combined with aromatherapy and herbalist principles, are superb.       

Day 16 - Palm Cove / Cairns / Los Angeles
Sadly you leave Australia today, but taking many memories and permanent souvenirs. Due to the International Dateline, you arrive back into Los Angeles early this same morning, in plenty of time to catch your flight to Atlanta. *L,*M,*B

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