Daintree, granddad of rainforests

We tend to think of the Amazon as the granddaddy of all rainforests, but, at a mere 10 million years old, the Amazon is really like a grandchild to the Daintree Rainforest on Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia. Daintree is a unique ecological gem, parts of it being as much as 140 million years old.

On a June trip to Australia with Overseas Adventure Travel (800/493-6824, www.oattravel.com), the cabins we stayed in were pushed right into the trees, and it was like living in the rainforest.

The climate is subtropical and very humid, especially in the warmer months. It mostly rained for the two days we were there, though not enough to prevent us from doing whatever we wanted.

Among the highlights of our stay was a boat ride down Cooper Creek, where we saw several adult “salties,” or giant saltwater crocodiles, sunning themselves. On the menu that night was crocodile-and-pumpkin soup!

DAN HENIGE

Ontario, OH