A BIG Day in Tropical North Queensland

Monday/Tuesday May 10-11, 2015

From Brisbane we flew to Cairns (pronounced "Cans") and entered the northern part of Queensland- home of the Daintree Rainforest and the World Heritage Wet Tropics.  Here we are to explore the wildlife and learn more about the indigenous peoples of Australia.  This lush area is the land of the Kata Yulangi bama (people) and home to crocodiles!

Two main industries in the Cairns area: tourism and sugar cane farming-
this cane is near ready for harvest.

Thala Beach Resort- our home for the next 5 nights-
the boys are super excited to have their own cabin instead of bunking with mom & dad.

Evening view from our balcony

Morning view...ahh...

This is a point where hang gliders take off over the Coral Sea

Australian mammal experience at Hartley's Crocodile Farm-
feeding time for the 'roos & wallabies

Sophia the baby wallaby

Matilda the baby sugar glider

Clyde the carnivorous quoll

NEXT UP: BIG CROC FEEDING

This guy is Hagrid-  he lunged at Matt's white shirt & gave us all a surprise!
I never knew that the sound of crocs jaws snapping shut was so loud!!

KOALA CUDDLE TIME:

Scribbly loves cuddles but can sometimes be a bit cheeky!

We visited Mossaman Gorge and Skip took us on a trek through the rainforest his ancestors inhabited for thousands of years.  This is a traditional hut made from cane and palm branches.  He said this would be big enough for a family of 4.

The rainforest people painted their bodies with charcoal, ochre and clay as a defense against "mossies" (mosquitoes), to identify themselves with a certain family clan and for ceremonial purposes.

Clear drinking water for the aboriginals and now for the entire Mossman Gorge

The Digeridoo was not native to this area but was an item traded with people from the Northern Territories.
It was played only by men & takes a lot of skill to play.

We ended the day with Stargazing at the celestial bodies in the southern hemisphere.
Known constellations from home appeared upside down here!