Cairns and the Rainforest

This was definitely a place to return to.  Cairns (pronounced like "Cans") is the perfect blend of culture and nature.  We started our day snorkel-diving off the Great Barrier Reef.  It took 90 minutes to get out to the edge of the reefs where we off loaded from our cruise to a huge pontoon dock.  From there we suited up in body shields to protect us from jelly fish, which we did not see but were told are beginning to "blossom".  We saw tons of coral and tropical fish while we snorkeled the reef for over an hour.  We also saw clams that were between 3 and 4 feet long and 1.5 to 2 feet wide with huge valves that were pulsing.  They actually filter the equivalent of an Olympic sized swimming pool of water in one hour.  They keep the coral area and sea clean.  Who knew?  We did not see any sharks (they have white tipped, black tipped and tiger sharks), and Rob was disappointed.  I was not.  After an hour, I came in to have lunch while Rob continued to swim.  He came in a short while later, ate within 15 minutes and went right back out.  I got a free 10 minute back massage and looked at the underwater observation area.  At the very end of our 3.5 hours out there, we both went out on the glass bottom boat to see even more of the reef. 

About an  hour after we got back we went to the Didgeridoo Dinner which was held by the Tjapukai People, the aboriginal people of the rain forest.  We began with wine and champagne and some hors d'ouerves, then a wonderful buffet dinner which included crocodile and kangaroo.  The crocodile was okay in my opinion (Rob didn't try it) but we both absolutely loved the kangaroo (which tastes more like beef, not chicken as everything else in the world is compared to).  Before dinner, we were made part of the tribe with each of us having face paint in either black and white for the wet season, or red and yellow for the dry season.  Once welcomed and a part of the tribe for the evening, we were part of the fire ceremony with the playing of the didgeridoo, a very long wood instrument that was played with air, voice and tongue to create incredible music.  After dinner, we were treated to more music and dancing in which Rob was invited with three others to come up on stage and dance with them.  We learned many Tjapukai words and learned much of their culture as well.

The next morning, we drove about and hour out of town to the Skyrail in the rain forest.  We soared well above the rain forest and could get off at two different stops to explore a bit.  Their was a small village there but unfortunately, due to a change in plans (due to flights - a long story) all the shops were closed while we were there.  I would stay there overnight or at least for the day if we could.

Beautiful waterfall in the distance that was hundreds of feet tall.

A winding river through the rain forest.

We went right over this river.

You can see the skyrail cars that seated 6 coming up from below where we are well above the canopy. You could not see the bottom between the trees.

Sitting inside the skyrail car.