I tried to book into one of the fancy spas in Port Douglas but they were all booked out. I'm not very good at getting my act together like that.
I eventually got an appointment for a pedicure with a lady who operated out of a room inside a hairdressing salon and it was one of the best things I did all week. She had lived in the area for 17 years and we chatted about Port Douglas, past and present, for an hour.
She told me that when she first moved to the area she could afford to live in Port Douglas (she now lives 20km out); that the main street could keep her entertained for an entire day filled as it was with locally-owned shops in small wooden buildings which displayed locally-made wares and that huge caravan parks spanned the length of four-mile beach providing inexpensive views of the Coral Sea for all.
She laments the loss of locally-owned shops and worries about the effect of the Douglas Council's recent amalgamation with the Cairns City Council on building heights and development. The Douglas Council's height restrictions were apparently that no building could be higher than a coconut tree (or about three storeys).
Isn't this the story of all holiday towns? I think most of us would be able to recount the changes to holiday towns we loved as children or young adults.
As a new visitor to the town, however, I found it to be a fun place with loads of things to do. I loved having shops to look at. At one point Firegazer said but you can shop at these kinds of places in Sydney.
Ah yes, I said, but I never get the time there.
8 comments:
Looks beautiful — love that wide sweep of beach with hardly anyone on it. Weather looked gorgeous, too.
So relating to the TIME part. Some times I feel like I barely have time to do the necessary shopping, much less the kind of browsing, slow enjoyment kind of shopping. A pedicure sounds divine. I think you were lucky to book one with a true local.
It is a beautiful part of the world. Just the road to get there is magnificent.
You sound well rested and restored. That makes it a good holiday.
I want to go to Port Douglas!! *sulks*
But I'm not so jealous that I can't be glad you managed one little pamper.
I'm joining Stomper in the sulk.
Glad to hear you had a great time.
Sounds like a wonderful break for you both. Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.
Looks like there might be three of us sulking ! No - I am presuming that you had a lovely time - especially having TIME to yourself - bliss!
It sounds like you had such a lovely time. Lucky you!
I went to Port Douglas with my parents about 27 years ago, and indeed stayed in one of those caravan parks.
Its pretty much unrecognisable now.
Such a lovely spot, though.
Post a Comment