Karunda and Rainforest

I had pre-booked this outing before we left the Uk. It included pick up and drop off at the hotel which was useful as we weren't picking the hire car up until tomorrow. The trip began with a ride in a gondola above the rain forest. There were 2 changes on this ride, each one at a different level of the forest where we could walk around pathways in amongst the trees and plants. It was fascinating to see how the plants had adapted to the environment each one struggling for the light using any means they could to reach the top of the canopy.

When we got to the village of Kuranda at the top of the gondola ride we were to be taken round a wildlife park but when we arrived at the collection area we found that we were the only 2 english speaking people all the rest were of asian background and had their own interpreter (it was Chinese New Year and Cairns was full of visitors wishing to celebrate the event whilst enjoying a holiday)  We knew that we wouldn't be able to hear the ranger speak, even though it would be in English, because of the noise level (these people are extremely noisy and it pains me to say it but quite rude at the same time) and we wouldn't understand the interpreter.  We didn't actually complain but we made our feelings known so this rather nice lady arranged for us to have a ranger take us round on our own.

The next part of the tour involved a ride through the forest and along the river in an amphibious vehicle,  a world war 2 duck where, thanks to the lady, we had priority seats at the front so at least we could hear the ranger/driver.

This was followed by a series of dances by an Aboriginal group, spear and boomerang throwing which we decided to miss out on in favour of a cup of tea.  Steves brain was working overtime and he has a question for you - if a boomerang always comes back to you why do the shops sell them in packs of 10?

The final part of the day was the return journey down the gorge and through the rain forest by rail,, which took an hour and a half. Construction began in 1886 and finished in 1891 but it was built  entirely by hand. Well, that's an hour and a half of our lives we won't get back. It was slow, monotonous and  the forest was so thick that we couldn't see what the commentary was telling us about.  The carriage was hot and uncomfortable with no ventilation,  I think most people thought the same as me, l just wanted to be back either in a cool shower or in the pool.w

what you don't want to meet while having a swim

sleepy koala

Kangaroo feed time

Army Duck

Kuranda rail