I hadn't expected to see lush rolling hills aka New Zealand
in these parts, so the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns
were a wonderful revelation.

The fertile volcanic land and tropical climate make for ideal growing conditions and there are orchards a-plenty with familiar tropical fruits like mangos, papayas, bananas (nope, didn't see any durians), and also avocados, papaws, peanuts, macadamia nuts, tea, coffee, rice, maize
... and the yummy list goes on.

The area also has exotic flowers and vegetation, which look strangely familiar yet different to a tropics-bred person like me.

I believe this curtain fig tree (actually there are 3 host trees) can be found back home too, except that this specimen is absolutely gargantuan and they've already built the enclosure to provide for the parasitic plant's engulfing of 2 more trees, expected some 500 years down the road! Talk about advance planning...

Something we don't have in Singapore
- the Volcanic Crater Lake Barrine.

The Tablelands also make for a special visit
because of this castle, the symbol of Paronella Park
and the legacy of a romantic Spanish dream.

It all started in 1914 when one Spanish immigrant José Paronella first saw these 13 acres along Mena Creek.
He eventually bought it in 1929 for £120 and embarked on an ambitious project to build the pleasure gardens for the enjoyment of the public.

But the harsh natural elements caused extensive damage over the years, making it difficult for the Paronella family to maintain. José had died in 1948 and his family eventually had to sell the Park in 1977, only to have it closed down 2 years later when a fire swept through the castle.

Today, the Park has re-opened and preservation,
rather than rebuilding, is underway.

Nature, in the form of moss, fungi and even bats,
has crept into and inhabited the grounds,
giving the place the mysterious allure of a lost era
as one wanders around the once-grand buildings and structures,
exquisite fountains and avenues lined by magnificent kauri pines.