We arrived in Cairns and went directly to the
Kuranda Scenic Railway for a tour of the
Kuranda area and the
Barran Gorge. This scenic railway went past gorges and waterfalls with breathtaking views. We had lunch at the top of the
Kuranda mountains in a town called
Kuranda! I was able to videotape the
Tjupaki Rainforest Aboriginal people doing their traditional dance outside of
their cultural center, and I had my picture taken with them. This is very rare because it is
their spiritual belief not to have images of themselves. They were painted in traditional ceremonial designs and had
their spears, and other ceremonial instruments. It was a great moment! We then took the
Skyway cable cars down the mountains for a long ride over the treetops of the
rainforests. We saw many beautiful birds, and the electric blue
Ulysses butterfly hovering over the tree tops. What a sight. We stopped at another aboriginal cultural center and we were able to purchase authentic aboriginal returning boomerangs that were
wonderfully decorated. Our guides have been able to take us to these places that are authentic. I don't want a boomerang made in
Indonesia! Dinner at the hotel - with 10 different types of desserts on this buffet. Early to bed for our barrier reef excursion tomorrow!