The next day we flew from Brisbane to Cairns.  This was my view out the window of the plane.  Rough life I know!

Upon arrival in Cairns we went into the town to pick up a rental car.  While we were waiting for the details to be figured out we heard constant high-pitched screeching.  We couldn’t figure out what it was until we looked into the trees and saw these beauties roosting for the night.  BATS!

We spent the night in Cairns, regrouping, cooking dinner and relaxing in the 3 pools our villa hotel had to offer.  The next morning we were up and headed to Kuranda World Heritage Site.  This is an interesting town, sitting on top of a mountain in between Cairns and Port Douglas. A train ride takes you up to the top of the mountain and then there is a gondola ride down.  The train ride up was beautiful-winding through the lush rainforest, curving next to the mountain and waterfalls.

We spent a few hours on top of the mountain exploring the little town.

The gondola was a 45 minute ride, which stopped every 15 minutes at various platforms through the rainforest. Anyone who knows me, knows this is NOT my cup of tea.  Train rides? Sure.  Gondolas rides? Not so much.  I am just not a fan of being super high up and in an enclosed capsule slowly moving its way through space, with the possibility of it breaking down at any given point.  I don’t even really love ski lifts.  I’m mostly okay if the lift keeps moving, but as soon as it stops mid-air perched high above the land, my heart does a little panicked mummer.

Yet, like I’ve said in previous posts, I cannot NOT do things just because I am a little uncomfortable.  That only makes the fear stronger and more relevant in my life.  So, with some deep breathing, moral support from the group, and a couple of closed eyes moments, I made it through the ride.