Croc-Wise

We stopped for drinks at Mason's stores in Cape Tribulation village. It looked a bit different than we remembered it; a little shop in the Mason's home where you pointed at what you wanted and they let you swim for free in the croc-free water hole out back.

Darren got talking to the owner, Mrs Mason. He told her we'd been here eleven years ago and we thought things had changed a bit. She agreed - the old house was still out back but now they'd built this swanky new shop closer to the road and they'd opened a coffee shop and pumped up the advertising for their tours of the rainforest, which they've been doing for much longer. It was different alright, and not good different either because Mrs Mason longs for the old days with the creaky old shop and Arkwright's till. Cape Tribulation is changing, it's been discovered.

"We were thinking" said Darren to Mrs Mason, "how can you be sure the water hole is croc-free? I mean, we swam in it without stopping to think how come you can guarantee this".

"It's too cold for them" she said. "All overhung with shade, they'd never go in it"

She's probably right but Dingos and Cassowaries are enough, the grannies will be pleased to know I wouldn't risk it with Ella, especially with those chunky little legs.

Anyway, we continued back down the road towards the Daintree River until we reached the chain ferry, where we bought local bananas from a stall while we were waiting. It's not like they don't warn you about the crocodiles in northern Australia, as you can see from the photos.