Rainforest
I read that the rooms at Silky Oaks Lodge are treehouses. What is the access to them? Also, how isolated are the rooms? I went to the hotel website, but couldn't find the answers to those questions.
Next question: What sort of footwear is appropriate for the rainforest? Do I need hiking type sneakers or are lighter weight closed shoes (like Sketchers) ok?
Thanks for your help.
Next question: What sort of footwear is appropriate for the rainforest? Do I need hiking type sneakers or are lighter weight closed shoes (like Sketchers) ok?
Thanks for your help.
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Comments
I not sure if your concern is fear of heights or ability to negotiate stairs, but pictures are worth a thousand words. I haven't been (yet) but it appears from the photos on the Silky Oaks website and TripAdvisor at this link, that the main lodge/dining/lounge, etc. are elevated on raised platforms overlooking the Mossman river. The main areas appear to mostly all on one level. The "tree house" rooms which appear strung out along the river and straddle the main building, appear to be mostly elevated, but to varying degrees, with a mix of elevated, slightly raised, or ground level walkways (both gravel/asphalt(?) and wood plank connecting them. The number of stair steps to reach them appears to vary. All elevated open areas (treehouse room verandas, main lodged dining room, etc.) are surrounded by substantial railings-with solid hardwood or steel top rails and closely-space, strong, taut, horizontal stainless steel cables between vertical posts. The cables are not only stronger than other materials, but they allow a much better view of the surrounding rain forest- they are almost invisible in the photos below. Ground level and near-ground paths and walkways appear to have less substantial railings. Below are some photos that were of suitable size (smaller than 640 px wide) to post here. I found them by Googling the Silky Oaks Lodge then selecting "images". There are tons more at the link.
As to shoes, I would think any type of closed toe sneaker would be fine, but more important is that whatever footwear you chose, it should have relatively non-slip soles.
The cabins are all individual, kinda like summer camp cabins, or if you went with Tauck to Macchu Picchu and stayed in Agua Caliente, same type of thing. My cabin looked like pics 1 and 2 above. The area is fairly hilly. As I recall, the front of the cabins are all road/path accessible, and the backs may be significantly above ground level. There will be some steps, but you won't need to climb ladders or anything like that. It's a beautiful place. One thing I couldn't figure out is how a place in the middle of the jungle, with 99% humidity, had no bugs in the dining area, as it's all open. Either they must spray the crap out of it (which I didn't smell), or there are ultrasonic devices everywhere (which I didn't see).
If you go on the hike out the back down to the river, be careful of brushing against any foliage, and check yourself carefully. One of our trip members wound up with several leeches on her legs.