It's our last day in Cairns, our last day in Australia, thankfully not our last day before work though. Carrie still has a few more days off and John still has a month of sabbatical. This morning, we boarded the SkyRail and spent 90 minutes skimming the canopy of the rainforest...watching beautiful white cockatoos soar above the treetops, and getting off the cablecar from time to time to walk around on the forest floor and see the flora and fauna up close. The ride ended in the town of Kuranda where we had time to shop and eat lunch before heading to Rainforestation. There we got to see lots of wildlife in their zoo, including a huge 15 foot saltwater croc named "Jack the Ripper" because he killed the four females they tried to mate with him. We also got to ride in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle to tour the park and waterways, see an Aboriginal dance performance, throw boomerangs, and see demonstrations of spear throwing and didgeridoo playing. It completed the entire checklist of "things to-do in Australia.". Afterwards, we boarded the Kuranda Scenic Railway to bring us back to Cairns, which a beautiful and very fun ride back. For less than $40US/pp, we upgraded to Gold Class service...a luxury car with armchairs instead of cramped benches, our own waitress, a free open bar for the entire 90 minute ride, a macadamia nut snack, a yummy cheese and fruit plate, and a bag of small souvenirs. What a deal! We couldn't believe that only one family of 3 people chose the upgraded service as well, considering how packed the other 11 economy class cars were...with no amenities! At any rate, early night for us, we are up at 3am tomorrow to begin the long journey home...will be about 28 hours of travel door to door. (Updated 12/23: Picture of us in the Gold Cabin on the Kuranda Scenic Skyrail)
Friday, December 22, 2006
Kuranda tropical rainforest
It's our last day in Cairns, our last day in Australia, thankfully not our last day before work though. Carrie still has a few more days off and John still has a month of sabbatical. This morning, we boarded the SkyRail and spent 90 minutes skimming the canopy of the rainforest...watching beautiful white cockatoos soar above the treetops, and getting off the cablecar from time to time to walk around on the forest floor and see the flora and fauna up close. The ride ended in the town of Kuranda where we had time to shop and eat lunch before heading to Rainforestation. There we got to see lots of wildlife in their zoo, including a huge 15 foot saltwater croc named "Jack the Ripper" because he killed the four females they tried to mate with him. We also got to ride in an amphibious Army Duck vehicle to tour the park and waterways, see an Aboriginal dance performance, throw boomerangs, and see demonstrations of spear throwing and didgeridoo playing. It completed the entire checklist of "things to-do in Australia.". Afterwards, we boarded the Kuranda Scenic Railway to bring us back to Cairns, which a beautiful and very fun ride back. For less than $40US/pp, we upgraded to Gold Class service...a luxury car with armchairs instead of cramped benches, our own waitress, a free open bar for the entire 90 minute ride, a macadamia nut snack, a yummy cheese and fruit plate, and a bag of small souvenirs. What a deal! We couldn't believe that only one family of 3 people chose the upgraded service as well, considering how packed the other 11 economy class cars were...with no amenities! At any rate, early night for us, we are up at 3am tomorrow to begin the long journey home...will be about 28 hours of travel door to door. (Updated 12/23: Picture of us in the Gold Cabin on the Kuranda Scenic Skyrail)
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Have a safe and pleasant trip home!
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