793 - Daintree

A potted haiku summary of a brief but very pleasant 

visit to the Daintree region of northern Queensland.

Daintree.

Wheels leave the tarmac,

The plane defies gravity

As we hold our breath.

The louvered windows

Of the tropical villa—

Quaint yet comforting.

It smells different

When rain falls in the forest:

Earthy.  Primal. Close.

An electric blue.

The brief but colourful life 

Of a butterfly. (1)

A walk on the beach

Followed by a lazy beer—

Could get used to this.

Let go of your home:

When in Rome (or Daintree)

Drink the local beer.

Warm cuddles in bed,

No need for any nightwear,

A gecko tut-tuts. (2)

The morning chorus:

The birds, the rain, the children.

I go back to sleep. (3)

Ancient wilderness:

Diversity worth a look…

What’s a little rain? (4)

The boat glides along.

On the bank, a crocodile

Pays close attention.

The cassowary:

A large lumpy sort of bird

That hides in the wild.

Cassowary plum

Betray the odd bird’s passing:

Fowl bowel graffiti. (5)

Unusual sounds

Of the unseen bush dwellers,

Oddly comforting.

Cape Tribulation.

The place an early Cook’s tour

Came stuck.  And unstuck. (6)

Holiday chaos—

That fateful, distant message:

“Gone into labour”. 

Technology beats

The tyranny of distance:

The coming of Grace. (7)

Good travel advice:

Take nothing but photographs,

Leave only footprints.

Dinner in the trees—

The jungle meets fine dining,

Daintree à la carte. (8)

The final packing.

I wonder what will be left?

There’s always something.

Familiar smells 

Welcome us back to our home.

The kettle goes on.

I know I am home

When I can kick off my shoes,

Order a pizza.

 .

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© J Cosmo Newbery 2015

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1. Ulysses Butterfly

2. Geckos, a type of lizard, makes an odd clicking noise at night.

3. Neighbours had a crying child.  Felt sorry for them.  Nothing more.

4. No rain, no rainforest.  But warm rain.

5. The plum needs the cassowary to eat and pass its seeds for them to germinate.

6. Captain James Cook got stuck on a coral reef in 1770.

7. Grand-daughter, Grace.

8. Nautilus restaurant.

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