When you're traveling there's always a certain amount of risk taking that goes with moving into a new territory. I've just arrived in Cardwell, Queensland a.k.a. Croc country and this morning I got up close with an elderly native.

Pop Quiz: Which of the below waterways would make you think twice before dipping a toe?

Here's a hint: The aqua blue oceanic water of tropical north queensland is quite the tease. 

This morning I was on the beach when I heard a woman making a commotion on the road behind me. Any excuse to delay the sweat-fest, I turned around to see her panic stricken face and learn that a 4.5 metre croc was doing laps near the shore where I had set up. I'm all for adventure but an unthinking prehistoric man-eating machine is probably not a dude to toil with. (Especially before I've had my morning coffee.)

That dark line in the water is in fact a half tonne crocodile.

I evacuated (to fetch my camera) and returned like a hungry paparazzi.

I spotted my spiny friend about 10 metres offshore and was immediately aware of my place in the food chain. No wonder these creatures have evolved to be king of their aquatic castle.

You can't fight or beat them but you can stand jaw open and goofy-like admiring their hunting strategy, which has worked for more than 200 million years.

200 million years is about 73 quintillion days. NB. I had to google what came after trillion, for future reference it's trillion, quadrillion then quintillion. When I got inside I spotted this article in the Cairns Post newspaper.

If you can't tell I'm a little in love with these prehistoric creatures today. I had a boogie to Elton John's, Crocodile Rock and I googled the real meaning of the phrase Crocodile Tears.

Croc feeding at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, see what happened after this photo was taken here.

However, mostly I'm impressed with how these reptiles live in the moment, rely on instinct and respond to fight or flight conditions. They don't care if you're a lawyer, a cross-dresser or a stamp-collector, in their eyes we're a big beach buffet of pork chops. Here's to living in the moment Mr Croc.