It's a wonder how some native things are taken for granted. I had to come all the way to Cairns to learn that the rainforest (so familiar back home in Southeast Asia) is really a natural wonder of the world, and an amazing self-sufficient ecosystem at that. Here, it is protected as a World Heritage Area, no less.

Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the Barron Gorge National Park has a 7.5 km Skyrail built so that people can admire the rainforest from cable-cars, as well as a ride on the historic Kuranda-Cairns steam railway for the return view.

Kuranda Village, a quaint township nestled in the rainforest,
is linked to Cairns
by the Skyrail and the steam train.

After all the "heavy" ecological stuff from the rainforest journey, the Kuranda Market provides a wonderful respite - shopping!

Some of the interesting items found here: mini-heels.

View of Cairns on the return train journey from Kuranda.

Travelling north up the coast from Cairns to Daintree
National Park,
an orchard stop at the little town of Mossman.

Plus a trek to the remarkable Mossman Gorge, with its pristine-clear waters and coloured boulders.
It was a really cool experience to take a dip and swim
amongst the fishes.

Daintree River Crossing, to get to the Daintree National Park, another protected rainforest area.

The Rainforest Canopy Tower at the Daintree Rainforest Environmental Centre. The infectious bubbly enthusiasm of the excellent lady guide here, rubbed off on me and had me really "seeing" the rainforest for the first time in my life...

And the stay at the Crocodylus Village youth hostel, with canopy tents set up in the middle of the rainforest (and unusual residents like this huge but harmless spider), finally won my admiration, or at least a feeling akin to grudging appreciation,
for the rainforest.

For here, I experienced the highlight of my trip - a beautiful night hike through the rainforest led by yet another brilliant guide, this time an affable guy called Joe who truly loves the place. We spotted little furry balls of snoozing birds perched on swaying twigs, tree frogs and other creatures, even a tarantula which Joe tricked out of its hole. Awesome.

Hey, I think I love the rainforest! I really do. In fact, I am so at home here, so in tune with nature, that ...