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Kuranda

My last day in Australia was spent in Kuranda, which is an artsy town located in the rainforest.

To get there, I took the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We passed waterfalls and scenic views on a beautiful old train. I walked around the town and ate some lunch. Then took the Skyrail, essentially an enclosed ski lift, over the canopy of the rainforest.

I ended the day at Tjakupai Culture Park, where I learned about the aboriginal people, tried spear throwing, and boomerang throwing. I listened to the digerdoo played. I was scheduled to do another rainforest tour, but opted for Tjakupai Culture Park, which was probably a good thing, being that at all the little stations at Kuranda and the Skyrail Park, I answered EVERY rainforest question correctly! However, I knew nothing about the indigenous people. For the record, I am only at risk at harming myself, than any living being with a boomerang in my hand! :-)

Swimming with Nemo

Cairns is a nice place, great parks, friendly, accessible, but there is one main reason why it is a popular place for tourists from Australia and around the world. The Great Barrier Reef. (The rainforest would rank 2nd)

So today I swam with Nemo. For a double whammy of some poor planning on my part and a chunk of bad luck, I anticipated having access to a waterproof digital camera, but that didn't happen. And I knew from previous experience what poor pictures the underwater throw away cameras, so sadly, I am left with just a few above the seas pictures.

It was spectacular! And, no, I am not scuba certified, but you could do first time dives with the company I went with. At both locations we went to, I got to dive for an hour. I loved it. I think perhaps I should look into getting scuba certified. I also snorkeled any time I wasn't diving. As for that hideous blue suit, it's not a wetsuit, it's a stinger suit. It protects you from things like jellyfish, which it's jellyfish season here (I saw one too). For me, albeit it ugly, it likely prevented me from getting seriously burned.

I saw so many lovely fishies (we swam with several schools of fish on the dives), some stingrays, a huge turtle, and coral of every color imaginable! Not a great picture on the left, but they fed the fish at the end, so you can make out just a taste of what I swam with.

If anyone is every traveling to Cairns, contact me and I will tell you about the company I went with, as I highly recommend them (thanks to Sheila for telling me about them). We then sailed most of the way back in, which was also fun.

Once again, God amazes me with His creation! The more places I go to, the less imagination I think the people at Disney have---they simply travel more! (Along those thoughts, apparently buried in the credits of Avatar is a thank you for Skyrail in Cairns, Australia, they inspired the tree in the movie--I'll be on that tomorrow)

Koala Bears

When I think of Australia, I think koala bear. And today I got to hold one of those cuddle creatures. They are stinkin' cute!

Today was my unscheduled day, meaning every other day I am in Australia I have an activity planned. It was none the less chock full of activity. I have read about the Cairns Wildlife Dome, which sits on top of a hotel and casino. I wasn't so sure. However, it was getting cloudy (and in fact rained), so I checked it out. It was actually quite nice. The animals are basically free to roam (except the gator). I stayed for feeding tour, and actually petted most of the animals. I felt a little left out, as Cairns is a tourist destination for most Australians, who have seen plenty of these animals before or at least heard of them. Meanwhile, I am thinking no I have had never heard of a pademelon (type of kangaroo) before yesterday.

It was a fun place to go, because even though I went on this outback trip yesterday, and saw some of these animals, it's not like they pose for pictures. Most of the animals were quite accessible in there too. They had TONS of interesting birds, lizards, frogs, snakes, fresh water croc, estuary croc, turtles. In fact, although he wouldn't do it for me. One of the big cuckatoos will let tourists carry him around on their shoulders while they walk around.

Interruption of regular blogging for....

This will be a bit different.

A friend of mine posted on her blog how you can get 50 free Holiday cards from Shutterfly. Well, I was kind of excited (secretly very excited). I know I haven't sent out Christmas cards in awhile, but I have been imagining it. Last year, I kept looking at the cards, but only was ready to get some like the day before Christmas. This year with all this amazing traveling, I have some great pictures! And I really want to share them with friends and family! This promotion was the perfect opportunity to get me on board.

I would stare at all the Christmas cards everyone sent me. The cats and I enjoyed hanging them around my fireplace, well really the cats enjoy taking them off of the fireplace. I would enjoy looking at everyone's beautiful pictures and greetings. Well this is my year!

Shutterfly has a great variety of Christmas cards, Christmas photo cards and Holiday cards to choose from. If you ask me, I prefer the Christmas cards. Let me show you some of my favorites. But you'll have to wait for Christmas to see the final selection. I have already selected my picture, and you haven't seen it yet either!

I also think that with my busy schedule, I likely won't get around to scrapbooking my experience. I really want to make a photo book, as soon as I get home.

If you have a blog and want to get 50 free Christmas cards too, check out this link.

Atherton Tableland Bush Tour

Today I went on a Land Rover trip into the rainforest (I left the bush for civilization, and my first day back I went to the bush...hmmm). I am just going to post a few pictures. I did see the muskie rat (a kind of macropod), padymelon (a kind of kangaroo), various birds, and two snakes (the one pictured is highly poisonous). We saw many strangled figs (that is pictured above and what I am standing next to). We forded most of these rivers I have pictures.

Goodbye PNG

Sadly, I have left PNG!

I had a sweet send off with circle time (where the missionaries gather and pray for me, then throw flowers at me as I leave) and the McCoys driving me to the airport (and Dr. Bill almost never goes to the airport). Dr. Bill McCoy was responsible for the other side of the medicine ward, which means he was usually the closest person for me to ask a question to. He has been a missionary for years, first in Swaziland then PNG. He has an enormous amount of wisdom and love for the Lord, and is a great mentor! I learned so much from him! He was very encouraging and patient. I don't think it is a very good picture of either of us, but it's what I have. The second picture, about 10 minutes after liftoff.

I was supposed to have a 5-6 hour layover in Port Moresby that I wasn't looking forward to. However, when I arrived, Air Nuigini moved up my flight, and in fact I ended up with a relatively short layover! PRAISE! Then I feared Australian customs, but that was really a breeze!

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to come to PNG! What a blessing--Praise be to God! I cannot begin to tell you everything I learned! I am thankful for the kindness, generosity, patience, and encouragement I received from all the missionaries. I hope the Lord wills it that I can come back again!