Coconut Odyssey – Australia’s Only Coconut Tour

At Thala Beach Lodge near Port Douglas on the north east coast of Australia, where the Coral Sea meets dense forest and foliage-covered mountains, you can learn all about the humble coconut .

The ‘Coconut Odyssey’tour is the only one of its kind in Australia. It’s led by passionate coconut advocate Carl Johanson, who was once listed as one of Australia’s most eccentric tour guides. This nutty crusader loves to talk about this “miracle food” and its benefits, from preventing cancer to banishing cellulite. Carl’s testament is so convincing, he will likely have you stocking up on coconuts by the end of the tour.

The Coconut Odyssey is held in Thala’s native coconut plantation, runs for two hours, and involves Carl discussing just about every coconut topic you could think of from its history and usage worldwide, to dispelling common myths.

“I got hooked when I learnt that coconut does not make fat, but helps to burn it, and as a result it’s given me a nice six pack”,Carl says.

The coconut is “the best quality food left on the planet”, he adds. Carl says the coconut fruit, which is not a true nut, grows so high that no pests can affect it, and therefore no pesticides are required. Furthermore, they grow in the sand, need no fertilizer, and don’t need to be genetically modified.

On tour, Carl discusses the alleged myth that saturated fats such as coconut oil are bad for you. He also points out that people who’ve been eating coconuts for thousands of years worldwide have had comparatively few health problems.

Carl’s personal health regime involves plenty of coconut oil every day, and he will eat a coconut instead of going for a run, as it increases his metabolism. Such fervent coconut devotion has steadily built Carl’s reputation as an eccentric tour guide and resident coco-nut.

There’s no denying Carl has plenty of energy. Talking to him you get the impression he’s about to leap out of his skin with excitement. Carl says he feels extremely lucky to share his coconut knowledge with visitors to Thala, where both he and his guests are treated to an “unlimited supply of green coconuts”.

As Carl will gladly tell you, the liquid in green coconuts is the most sterile liquid in nature, and has been proven to have the same electrolyte balance as blood in our veins. This, he says, is why during the First and Second World Wars, green coconut juice was fed intravenously to patients when glucose and plasma supplies were low.

The Coconut Odyssey is a one-of-a-kind experience, thanks to Carl and, after the tour, guests can rummage amongst the coconut plantation with a new found respect for this ‘tree of life’.

Check out more of Karen’s travel stories.

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