A Trip Down Under-Part 3

Day 9- Now in Cairns we had nothing planned for today but to wander around the city and see what there is to see. A block from our hotel is a crocodile infested "beach". Even if there weren't crocs in it this beach isn't one you would find inviting...very muddy, not so sandy. We walked along the boardwalk unable to spot any crocodiles. We found the pier and admired all the large boats and the beautiful view of the ocean laid out before us. There were several fishers along the pier reeling in their catches...made me wish I had a rod to join them. We found some more shopping and Maren found an opal she fell in love with and purchased. We signed ourselves up for some day trips and just rested and enjoyed walking around the city until our feet begged us to stop. We headed back to the "beach" and sat on the boardwalk waiting for a croc to show up, which they never did. But some beautiful pelicans and a heron did make appearances. As we sat there and as the sun began to set birds began flocking in large numbers to 2 trees near where we were sitting. They were making so much noise it was impossible to not notice them. For some reason their song was so familiar. We looked up and realized that the birds were the beautiful rainbow lorikeets we had become familiar with at the beginning of the trip. I was amazing to see these birds all flock into these 2 trees to settle in for the night. As the sun disappeared the birds became completely quiet, like kids sharing a room finally drifting off to sleep after mom asked them time and time again to please quiet down.

Day 10- We were picked up by a bus at 8:45 and taken to a train stop where we caught a historic train that took us up the mountain, through sugar cane fields, rainforests, around waterfalls. After the 2 hour ride we ended up in the village of Kuranda, population 1200. The tiny town really has very little to offer other than tourist shops, a butterfly sanctuary, and a reptile zoo. We walked up the main street lined with shops and began with lunch. I found an option that intrigued me...a kangaroo meat pie! SIGN ME UP! It was fine...not amazing but

different. After lunch we went for a rainforest walk (can't get tired of them!), did a little shopping and then it was time to catch the gondola back to Cairns. The gondola took us up and over the rainforest...a different perspective. We stopped at several places along the way to take little walks and look out over the gorge, admire the waterfalls and learn more about the plants in the area including identifying the stinging fern...yikes! and seeing HUGE spiders! That night Maren and I split up. I went off for more walking through the city and some personal shopping time and Maren headed to crocodile beach hoping tonight would be the night a croc would show up. My shopping was successful...more Christmas shopping done! and an opal necklace for me!

Ok, that's all for tonight. I have to get up early tomorrow for my 7:00 Thai language classes so i'd better get some studying in and get to bed. Good night!