Week 7-10 in Cooktown Part 3

Maverick finds all sorts of wildlife.

During school holidays and some time off work, we went to Cairns to have a little fun. We stayed in a cabin in a caravan park with lots of fun kid's activities.

The USS Essex happened to be in Cairns on the 4th of July. There was a beautiful 10 minute fireworks celebration on the water, and to my surprise there were hundreds of people there to see them.

The best part of our trip was going out to the Frankland Islands for our first snorkeling adventure. The kids loved it, and Paul loved it even more. We swam right along side a big green turtle. The kids saw blue spotted sting rays and a shark.
We would like to find a place to snorkel closer to Cooktown and a bit less traveled by tourists. After all, we are locals now!

Week 7-10 in Cooktown Part 2

In June, we traveled Southwest to the town of Laura which hosts Australia's oldest Aboriginal festival. Aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders travel from afar to show off their traditional dances. This festival is 3 days long and is held every other year. We were lucky to have seen it.
I sat next to an elderly man who when he passes away will take a 40,000 year old native language with him. He is the last of his people. Many scientists have tried to study his language but have had a hard time with its complexity.



Mason and Mom went to the Laura Rodeo to see some bronco races, bull riding, calf roping and, of course, to experience the mechanical bull ride.

Week 7-10 in Cooktown Part 1

Maverick loses his first tooth.

Athletic Carnival at Cooktown State School

We took a 20 minute hike to get to Cherry Tree Bay in Cooktown. It is beautiful with lots of rocks to climb on.

Paul took Maverick and Ty to Isabella falls - about a 25 minute drive from Cooktown. Crossing this river in a car is possible in the dry season. I can't wait to see these falls in the wet season.

One of the most beautiful spots I've seen is Treverthan Falls. 45 minutes from Cooktown on a 4wd road. The locals have told me it is "safe" to swim in. No crocs. The swimming hole was surrounded by big round rocks; no sunny areas for a croc to lie around. I'm sure there weren't any there!!