Friday in the rainforest

What an incredible day.  I am so in love with life right now.

Part of why I came to Cairns was to spend time in the Atherton Tablelands, so thats where I headed today.  Took the Kuranda Scenic Railway, an old steam train, up the hills into the rainforest.  Stopped to see the Barron Falls, it was beautiful.  I joke on this trip about 'how did people travel before digital cameras and wi-fi?', but more and more I realize it's not a joke, technology has overtaken everything.  When we stopped at the falls, almost every person stepping off the train already had their camera up - like they couldn't miss a second of this being recorded.  I don't understand, because if you're always more concerned about taking photos, that's the only memory you'll have.  You wont' have an actual memory in your mind about how it felt to be there.  I did take photos of course, but I also just stood there and drank it in.  The cool breeze coming off the water, the mist in the air, the power of the falls. Beautiful.

Got off the train in Kuranda and fought my way through the hordes of tour groups, and went up the stairs - to the left, the town. To the right, the river.  I am literally the only person who turned right, which meant I had the rainforest all to myself!  There are a bunch of self-guided trails that take you along the river and through the rainforest, and since it was just me I could go at whatever pace I wanted to, and just stop and listen to the trees.  It was incredible.  Technology was also there, of course - just as I was thinking 'last time I was in the rainforest was with Ashley, I miss her', I got a text from her! HA!  Texting from the rainforest.  Love it.

From there I headed into town where I went and handfed some kangaroos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Also saw a bunch of crocodiles, koalas, wallabies,and even a wombat.  EEEEEEEEEK!  My timing for the day was perfect, cause I got all my outdoors stuff in, and just as I sat down for lunch the sky broke open and it started pouring.  I asked a lady in a shop for a plastic bag to put my purse in, and she gave me a rain poncho - and wouldn't let me pay her for it! So nice.

My day ended with a ride down over the rainforest in the Skyrail Cablecar.  Floating in my own little car over all the trees, with another stop (and a different view)) at Barron Falls.

So many times today I just looked around and thought about how lucky I am to be here.  I'm so happy I came.