Red Elephants in the Rainforest

Mossman Gorge we thought you would drive to a carpark and then begin your walk in the rainforest.  But no!!  What we are beginning to call the good old Queensland upsell,  you must pay to get in, this does however include a shuttle bus up the hill to begin your walk.  The walk is very well marked and is a boardwalk for some of the way.  There is a very jumpy swinging bridge that is of course loads of fun for kids and big  red elephants to cross.  Walking through the giants of the rainforest you feel very small and insignificant.  The trees reach high up to the sky with the first branch way way up.  The roots of the trees reach out as far as the tree is high.   Ferns are huge and green and reach out above your head.  Everything is very green.  This rainforest that has been here for eons will still be here way after we are all pushing up daisies.

Ferns

Perfect tree for climbing

The day after we headed over the Daintree River to the Daintree.  This was very exciting as we crossed on a barge all of us including Brindi, poor Willow stayed behind at the Wonga Beach caravan park.  As we crossed we all had our eyes open for crocodiles but there were none to be seen.  Five minutes across the river we came to a wonderful lookout that gave us a great view back down the coastline to Port Douglas.   On recommendations from fellow travellers we went to the Daintree Discovery Centre.  For a not small fee  we where given guide books and self guided headsets.  There was one guide for adults and a different one for the kids.  We then proceeded to walk through the rain forests on boardwalks listening to our headsets that where very informative.  The boardwalk started at rainforest mid level so half way up the trees and above the ferns.  We then climbed a 5 level Rainforest Canopy Viewing platform this gave a us a great birds eye view of the rainforest.  We cam down then walked at floor level.  The kids enjoyed the interactiveness of the walk but did get a little hungry towards the end.  We took our lunch in and had a picnic lunch.   We then proceeded up towards Cape Tribulation.

 We where on high alert as this is cassowary territory and there where signs along the road to slow down and take care.  As we where beginning to give up hope  "STOP Cassowary!!"  Brindi came to a screeching halt and out we all got.  I have learnt that if you come across a cassowary they can become quite aggressive and it is best to put something between you and the bird,  I choose Mr Red Elephant and the kids choose me.  What a magnificent creature so much more colourful than the old Emu.  It has two  red dingle dangles hanging from his beak  a vibrant two tone blue neck and to top it of a big knob on top his head.    We stalked Mr Cassowary for a while and didn't seem to mind he criss crossed back and forth across the road.  May I mention that  prior to this spotting we had been looking in the rainforest for our friend  but it seems that his 6  toes are a bit precious and he prefers to walk along footpaths.

So up to Cape Tribulation, must say we where a little underwelmed.  We did however do a good walk on the way back down that walked half through the mangroves and the rainforest was rather pleasant.

All Red Elephants slept well.

Tjapukai - Aboriginal Cultural Park

Last night the kids had a big decision to make.  We had been planning on going to Hartleys Crocodile Adventures but another family then told us how good the Tjapukai Aboriginal park was.  So.. the kids had to decide which one they wanted to do.  They made a list and Tjapukia ended up being the winner because they had seen Crocodiles at Australia Zoo but if they went to the aboriginal place they could learn to throw a boomerang.

To Tjapukai we went, we where greeted by aboriginal men in their lap laps and traditional body pants and the women where dressed similar.   We went to the womens hut and learnt about bush foods and medicines.  Then down to learn spear throwing,  I think the kangaroos will be safe when the red elephants are on the hunt.  Boomerang throwing seemed to be more our thing.  One came back and landed right at my feet.  Grace and James boomerangs also returned to them.  Next was a corroboree  where the story of the kangaroo hunt was performed.  We also got to join in singing and watch a traditional fire ceremony.  Oh and yes the Red Elephants did join in the corroberee centre stage dancing the Brolga, Cassowary and Kangaroo.

James then had his face painted warrior style and of we went to have a lesson in the Didgerido  for some reason the joint seemed to empty out.  Not sure why,  Mr Red Elephant embraced his inner indigenous and made a bit of noise.

Back we go for more Boomerang throwing and spear throwing.  The guys where really good and put their bodies on the line when the boomerangs looked like they would decapitate Grace and James.

We decided we needed more practice with our dancing so we had our own private Red Elephant dance lesson.  The guy who was teaching us was so good, he really did look like the animals he was dancing.

Story Rocks different from my Blog that rocks we painted story rocks.  They tell a story and are good luck omens.

Grace and I returned to the womens hut to learn some basket weaving.  The lady did not turn up but we meet another chap from Torres Strait  who was of to make a grass skirt  he said we could join him.  He ended up showing us how to make a lightning bolt weave from coconut leaves.  I hope he got to make his grass skirt for tonights performance!

The kids wanted to stay to watch the last corroboree of the day, so we did.

Red Elephants at the Reef

On recommendations from friends we paid the extra and went all the way to the outer reef.  This takes a little longer, your in a boat for 1.5 hours.  The good news is NO Red Elephant suffered from sea sickness, we are a hardy bunch.

James

Pete doing a selfie underwater

Mum ,Grace and James

Fish Fingers no Fish Feeding

There was lots of upgrades offered on the way out, dive experiences, guided snorkeling, helicopters, dive helmets and even a massage.  Sadly no fries or steak knives!  All our snorkeling equipment was supplied.  We all snorkeled up, Pete has snorkeled before, Grace has done a little bit with  her Uncle and James and I where newbies.  It was such a strange experience putting my face in the water with goggles and breathing through the snorkel  but once I relaxed and forgot about my breathing I was OK.  I had Grace holding onto one arm and James the other.  The water was lovely and warm, even for me.  No wind, no clouds and lots of sun.   The water was a lovely blue colour but clear, think blue loo.  We saw lots of coral, its still not as vibrantly coloured as I imagined.  Swimming with the fish was just amazing and the colours of the fish, well that was great.   James did quiet well, but even with his wetsuit on he still got the shimmy shakes and had to get out and warm up.  Grace who is half mermaid  could have stayed in all day.

Mermaid Grace

We snorkeled on 3 different occasions only to be interrupted by a cold little boy and lunch and going out in the semi submersible boat.

The semi submersible boat is sort of like a submarine.  I must say I am rather proud of Mr Red Elephant who normally does not cope well with small confined spaces such as a submarine!!  But he went in and he did look like he was going to do a runner before it took off.  With the excitement of seeing all the fish and coral under water and a few sharks and Barracuda's he embraced the submarine.

Blue Submarine

We watched the fish feeding and had Wally or is it Barry the big Murray Wrasse swimming around our feet.  What and experience.  James loved going down in the viewing tunnel with glass windows where you could watch the divers and the fish.

Wally/Barry and Zebra Fish coral in the background

As we departed the boat all the crew members where lined up to say good bye most passengers just walked past them, NOT, the Red Elephants we ran down the line giving them all high fives and wooping it up as only Red Elephants can do.  What a great way to end a terrific day on the reef.

Cairns - So Far

So far in Cairns we have enjoyed a walk along the Esplanade that involved playing in no less than 4 playgrounds , one water park and one lagoon.  The lagoon was decorated in various six packs and scantily dressed backpackers.  We also watched the emergency helicopter make a landing and afterwards Pete and the Kids went up close to investigate the chopper.

We have also made use of the pool at the park we are staying in.  The pool has a pirate ship with a slide down into the pool.  The bears had a most enjoyable time and Grace and James practiced their water saving techniques on the Bears.  You will be pleased to know that all bears are alive and well and as an added bonus are a little bit cleaner.

Today we took a ride on the Kuranda Train up to,yep, you guessed it Kuranda.  The train was a lovely old timber train with 15 carriages.  We chugged chugged over many bridges and through tunnels past the beautiful Barren Falls.  I was looking forward to the Kuranda markets but I must say was very disappointed.  Our very own Hall Markets in Canberra are much better for homemade arts and crafts and produce.  Kuranda just seems to be hippie, australian souvenirs and others bits and bobs you could buy at any old shop.  Speaking to other people at the Skyrail they where also disappointed by the markets.

Barron Falls

So we caught the Skyrail back down the mountain.  What a great experience.  There we are in our own little bubble floating along up above the rainforest canopy.  We also had a fantastic view back to cairns and the coastline.  Looking down we could see how big the ferns are and the stag horns growing n the tree tops.  Just beautiful.  I would highly recommend the Skyrail and the Train.

Hmm Cairns itself is just not a Red Elephant type of place.  We have gotten used to staying in quiet sleepy little towns and villages.  Cairns is big and bustling and we can hear traffic and sirens.  Apparently the park we have chosen is in a bad part of town and people have had things stolen out of their cars and vans.  So I do not feel entirely relaxed and comfortable here.  There are gigantic bats that fly in at night it is not unusual to see Red Elephants making their way to the toilets swinging brooms and towels around their heads to ward of the low flying bats.  The good news is I have caught up on my washing of sheets and towels and clothes.  The car has had a service and tomorrow we are doing the much anticipated reef.  Tune in tomorrow night for a full report.

Caravan Set Up - Red Elephant Style

1. Dad unhitches Willow from Brindy

2. Connect our tap

3.Uh oh  Cant reach

4.We use Graces long legs to connect the power

5.Wind back legs down

6.Wind the front legs down

7.Pipe for grey water

            

8.Connect grey water pipe to Willow

9.unlock bed end

10.Lift Lid

11.Pull Down BedA

12.Push up Roof

12.Push Up Roof

TA DA  we have a Caravan set up!!

13.See any Possums say the Bears

Paronella Park - What The???

Yesterday we did Paronella Park.  We had never heard of it until people started telling us we must go.  It's absolutly stunning, its something else, you won't believe it, you must see it to believe it, we where told all this and more.

So we went  and we stayed.  It was very hot and humid and I was suffering.  They had had 5 inches of rain in the 2 days previous to us arriving.  Needless to say it was very wet under foot.

On entering Paronella Park we where meet by very friendly Paronella Park People.  We where taken on a tour of the park that explained how the park became what it is.  The story goes that Jose Paronella was a Spainish immigrant, he was a pastry chef, a miner, a sugarcane worker and a sugar cane farmer a seller and buyer of farms.  Jose took it into his head to work night and day to build the first a cottage for his new wife.  This was built from sand from the nearby Mena Creek.  He built the cottage in 3 months.  He then went onto build a cafe, movie theatre and ballroom.  Jose started his building back in 1930 since then his life's work has been affected by 3 floods, 1 fire and 2 cyclones.  What remains is something that feels like a set of Raiders of Lost Arch or park as Pete says.

Enjoy the photo's.

Red Elephants in Townsville

We  have just spent a wonderful two days with some Canberra friends in Townsville.  We thank you for your hospitality and your laughter.

So we did not get to Townsville until school pick up time.  This worked perfectly as the kids went to pick up their friends from school while Pete and I parked Willow in the street and did a bit of tree surgery while we where at it.  Our first afternoon was spent with the boys going to soccer training and me and the girls at home with the girls playing Evil Knievel on the skateboards.  Seriously I was in fear of their lives.

HEY hey the gangs all here

Our friends have a great deck out the back with a leafy green backyard.  We enjoyed a beaut barbie on the deck prepared and cooked by Andrew, and lucky for us Paula arrived home just in time.

Barbie car

The Fort

Our next day was touch and go as rain was forecast and there was a big green blob making its way across the state on the synoptic chart.  We decided to be like the girls and be Evil Knievel's and take the chance on going to Magnetic Island.  So glad we did, we had a great day.  Mr Red Elephants stepped down from driving his 4wd and drove what we called a barbie car and it was pink too.  We drove around an explored the island at its many beaches.  On one side of the island it was blowing a gale but around the other side with the big mountains to protect it it was nice and still.  Being Red Elephants  we did the Forts Walk.  From memory i think it was 4.5 k  and of course all up mountains except for the return of course.  We saw to Koala's tucked up high in the trees.  Just how do they hang when the tree is blowing around and they are fast asleep?  The Forts was a WW2 base and look out.  So great views out over the ocean and back to Townsville.  After this walk we where a "little" hot and bothered so we returned to Horseshoe beach for a dip and paddle before returning our Barbie car and hopping on the ferry back Townsville.

View from inside the Fort

We found our way back to our friends and Andrew had pizzas on the go in the barbie and cold drinks ready to go.

We sleep well last night, I don't know if it had something to do with the Forts walk or the sound of rain on the roof.

Sleepy Koala