Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Coral Sea

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!