Kuranda

Early this morning Sue dropped me off at the Freshwater Train Station about 15 minutes from her home.
"Situated in a quiet, leafy suburb, amidst tropical gardens and authentic heritage railway carriages Freshwater Connection provides a perfect venue for visitors to enjoy a hearty breakfast and is an ideal way to begin a Kuranda Scenic Railway journey.
In 1984 Freshwater Connection was built as a tribute to the visionaries and pioneers who built the Kuranda Scenic Railway between 1887 and 1891." Ya, stole that off their brochure.
So it was from this historic platform that i boarded the Kurand Scenic Railway train. Then it was a scenic hour and a half or so ride up the steep slopes into Kuranda.
The coaches were 85 years old, historic and still comfortable. The onboard commentary was helpfull in explaining the history of the rail line as well as the engineering feat it's construction was. Most of the train was crowded with tourist, Japanese tourist, and since I don't speak their langue, or vice versa, i got to read up on the history of Kuranda and the rail line. I have to say, this is one of the few places that actually looked like the postcards. Crystal Falls was amazing, so close you could almost reach out and touch it, and though Barron Falls was little more than a trickle (it is the DRY season after all) compared to the way it boils at flood stage, it was still good to see, got some good pics of it. The overlook is about halfway up the rail to Kuranda, so we stop, get off the train, and when the train blows it's whistle you better com erunning b/c they mean business. I had to jump aboard 4 cars back from mine and walk up the cars b/c the train was starting to move.
Speaking of the dry season, ahem, it started to rain. But as it is a rainforrest, I'll let it slide this time.
Kuranda was nice as well. Mostly covered markets, which were fun to browse through, art galleries of aboriginal artwork and little cafes where you can get some icecream, lunch or coffee. (noticed I listed those in order of importance) I got to spend about half an hour with an Austrian gentleman who does opal jewellery. He mines the stones, tumbles and plishes them, cuts them and puts them in their settings. I learned a lot oabout the opal, the industry as a whole from him. And his artwork was amazing to look at. The variations in the brilliance, reflections, i don't know what to call it, but it was just enjoyable to gaze at.
The art galleries were likewise enjoyable. Some of the art was truly ellaborate. Many of the pieces where illustrations to aboriginal stories, stories passed down through the generations by word of mouth. ALways fascinating learning about other cultures.
The butterfly gallery was a whirl of colors. Brightly colored butterflies would whizz right around your head. I was able to snag a few pics, but not many. Had a short tour that explained the breeding program of the avery, and the various butterflies and their lives in the wild. Interesting.
Now lunch, lunch was great. An enormouse German Bratwurst, with the works! Onion, saurkraught (howerver you spell it) and spicy mustard! on toasted bread. Very good.
The rain had picked up some, and i had seen most of what there was to see, so got on the Skyrail. Though it was raining visibility was still good. And you could look out over the tops of the rainforrest. Even saw a couple of Cockatoos flying around. But I could not see the bottom of the rainforrest. Every time i thought i did, it was really just the lower canopy of the smaller trees. lol. VERY high up. It wasn't long though before visibility was about nil. The clouds had rolled in and there wasn't much to see. Very....eerie. Especially when you see carriages come out of the fog only feet from you... and they all seem to be completly empty...
But the train and the skyrail beat hiking any day!
For now, short nap, then into Cairns for the weekend markets and book some tours for the next few days.
http://www.kurandascenicrailway.com.au/freshwater/kuranda_attractions/default.asp