Fai Tira photo blog Cook Town

We had been sent some very useful information from Bali Blue about anchoring in Cook Town and we thought we had followed the instruction and everything seemed straightforward, just find the right spot close into the shore and drop the anchor. However it wouldn’t be Fai Tira without some sort of drama, see the later photos.

A bit of history. One Hundred years after Cook arrived here the Palmer River goldfields were discovered and Cook Town had a population of 30,000 with 163 brothels, and 94 outlets selling booze. It is not quite like that now only having three pubs.  We didn’t ask about the houses of disrepute.

Our arrival at Cook Town.

Captain Cook with two of his admirers.

The Cook spirit lives on.

Whoops

After two attempts a spot was finally selected in just under 2 metres of water, although a bit further out than we’d have liked. And we went for a drink. Not long after our return, we noticed that our inherent slight starboard list seemed to be suddenly exaggerated.... We were on the bottom and stuck fast with the tide still a long way to travel and the next high one, 12 hours later, was lower than the current low one. So there was nothing to do except wait .while at the same time trying to do our fly imitations by almost walking around on the walls of a boat that was leaning over at something like 40 degrees, not easy or dignified and with other BWR boats turning up,,,,, fairly embarrassing!!.

Dee literally hanging in there. 

Pete’s, fairly implausible,  excuse of trying to emulate Cook’s exploits of careening the vessel to effect an inspection and any repairs. 

After a very uncomfortable night we headed for the cafe for breakfast.

Then it was off to the James Cook museum which was excellent. This is not the museum but it is typical of the towns buildings.  The museum was opened in an old convent by Her Majesty the Queen in 1970.

After the museum we walked to the botanical gardens which were brilliant and we opted for a walk to through the rain forest to Finch Bay.

Pete on a board walk.

Dee enjoying the beach at Finch Bay.

Just before high water we refloated Fai Tira and repositioned here to a deeper anchorage.

This monument marks the spot where Cook beached the Endeavour.