Cooktown

We had waited for a week in Cairns for a package from the UK. We decided to leave and on a Wednesday morning we walked (again) to the Post Office to have our package redirected. Fortunately it was waiting for us. We had enjoyed our 6.6km walk in the Botantical Garden's Rain Forest, despite its proximity to the LOUD airport. Three days later we arrived in Cooktown to join in with the annual re enactment of Cook's landing there.

This re enactment took place over three days and was most colourful. It included the landing from both English and Aboriginal perspectives. It marked the first meeting of the Aboriginal people with whites (Well the first recorded one where no one was eaten).
Jeremy was fortunate enough to join in some of the Aboriginal Dances. (And they wonder where Simon got it from?) We met quite a few boaties and had a meal out where we were entertained by belly dancers. There were fire eaters, a military band and we attended a talk about Reconciliation given by Willie Gordon, a Guugu Yimithirr story teller. The whole show had a fabulous firework display over the water and we were most impressed. The next day we set sail for Lizard Island.