Stage one of the Tour de Tropics - the scenic Captain Cook Highway that winds its way up from Cairns to the small tourist hub of Port Douglas.
Rock, on the other hand, admires scenery of his own, before applying the bulldozer treatment.
Ahhhh, the sun always feels better through the fronds of a conveniently placed palm tree.
The little village of Port Douglas is a foodies paradise, with restaurants lining both sides of the single main street.
Living the good life. Of course, even here in the tropics, the pool is apparently too cold for certain individuals. Sure it is.
Four mile beach, just outside of Port Douglas. How come beaches always come by the mile?
Surprise, surprise, the sea is too cold as well. It's a wonder all these tropical palms can survive in such frigid conditions...
Warning, fresh water crocodiles frequent this area.
Nothing like waking up to another glorious day in tropical paradise. In fact, waking up to anything other than fog and rain is a welcome relief.
Today's mission: explore the World Heritage listed Daintree rainforest. Of course, it wouldn't be World Heritage if it was easy to get to. In this case, the only way in and out is a rickety vehicle ferry over the croc infested Daintree river. Fortunately Rock's notorious parking skills held together long enough to deny Scarface a couple of particularly plump morsels.
One of the friendlier denzins of the rainforest. I'm talking about the cassowary...
Don't rock the boat Rock.
On the other side of the river, the rainforest is lush in its primordial splendor. Viewed from the conveniently un-primoridal lookouts and paved roads.
The Daintree, brought to you be Jetstar, Low Fairs All Day Every Day... except when Rock is in charge of the bookings.
Mei looks quite comfortable... until she hears that Taipans and Death Adders also take a liking to such picturesque surroundings.
You call this a bushwalk? Rock questions the epic-ness of a "bushwalk" along 700m of well-maintained boardwalk complete with "interpretive" signs and wheelchair parking bays. No raging tigers ever leaped this trail - more likely they were escorted across in air conditioned comfort.
What are you, like 80? [queue soft, melancholy Raiders march]
Can you eat it? Dr Zhu gets straight to the pertinent point as always.
Mangrove swamps, a favourite haunt of... big fat tropical mosquitoes. The only reason Mei is grinning is because they found a much juicier target behind the camera.
The northernmost point of the journey - Cape Tribulation. Either Captain Cook was a bit of a pessimist, or they didn't have all the convenient ice cream stands back in the day.
Last stop on the rainforest tour - the Mossman Gorge. A crystal clear river meanders its ways through the lush forest, pooling here and there into perfect natural swimming holes. For those of us who can swim ha ha ha.
Now here's a rock who never makes dubious wisecracks or launches into Raiders march ever time a vine crosses the path.
Rock relaxes with some peers.
This is what it looked like thousands of years ago, and what it will look like again if Big Al the local croc has dinner his way.
Don't worry, I think this bridge was designed with the North Queensland back country physique in mind.
This mountain had a cool name, but now I can't remember it. No, it wasn't Rock.
Speaking of cool names... Day three in Cairns kicks off with a good omen.
Time to swap the dusty fedora and whip for... a seasickness bag.
Rock puts on a brave face as he faces his childhood fears from that dark hour 16 years ago when the Green Island got it's name as a succession of Rock's seasickness bags washed ashore in quick succession.
On the other hand, seasoned mariners sit back and look pityingly on the landlubbers.
Don't smile yet Rock, we're not even out of the harbour yet.
Victory! The idyllic beaches of Green Island lie just off the starboard bow, and Rock isn't lying in the bilge hoping the rats get him before the next wave does.
Oh my gosh! And you're telling me this is the tropics? Mei reckons global warming can't come soon enough.
The life guards get ready as Mei ventures dangerously past the 3cm depth mark.
Despite the fact the island takes all of 10 minutes to walk around, most of the tourists don't make it this far to the leeward side of the island.
On the Eastern side of the island. Mei always did lean that way.
And old salt gears up for the glassbottom boat ride to the outer reef.
Sucker fish lurk under the glass. Sucker tourists lurk above the glass.
Feeding time on the reef.
Feeding time on the island.
Time to brave the voyage home. I hope that hat is on tight, it's looking pretty rough out there.
Captain on the bridge! Full speed ahead, a steaming bowl of bbq pork ramen is waiting on the other side.
I wouldn't stand there if I were you Mei. In fact, taking up a position downwind would be well advised...
Land ho! It can't have been that rough, because the hat stayed on and Rock's stomach stayed in.
With his feet firmly on land, Rock rests easy with the knowledge that these fine eggs won't be reincarnated as fish food.
Mei reveals the real reason why she struggles to stay afloat...
BikeCam. There's no better way to explore Cairns then by bike, with its well designed cycleways along the coast.
Even the scorching tropical sun and humidity can't slow this powerhouse down. Or is it the spicy noodles waiting at the end of the ride?
Time for another food stop? Yes Sir!
And with a few hours (and dollars) to kill, how about a flutter at the Reef Casino. Three crocodiles in a row? That's gotta be good... provided you're not on the Daintree Ferry anymore...
