Tropical North Queensland

...Where the oldest rainforest meets the largest coral reef in the world. Oh, I really enjoyed my time in and around Cairns. Beautiful beaches, beautiful rainforests, one orchard after another, and lots of animals. On the roadside, you can constantly find stands selling fruit. Here's a papaya, there's a whole net of avocados for $2, bananas, grapefruit.... Guys, I've never eaten so many different types of fruit!
The first afternoon in Cairns, we spent at a free outdoor pool right on the beach. Since swimming in the sea is not always possible, an outdoor pool is just right. The atmosphere was simply cool! A nice pool, a huge lawn, a view of the sea, and lots of young people. It's also cool that free BBQ facilities are provided everywhere in Australia. Meeting up with friends on a Saturday afternoon. Grill, jump in the pool to cool off, and then chill out on the lawn. And everything 'umma suschd' (no idea if that's how you write it). Cairns, you would be my city! I just realized that I miss my friends too! Oh yes, I could definitely imagine that. Why can't you swim in the sea calmly? Well, first of all, you should be careful because of crocodiles. Going into the water at night or at dusk is therefore a no-go. In addition, between September and May, there are more often the so-called 'stingers' near the beach. Also known as 'box jellyfish'. A touch is enough and you can have nerve pain in the affected area for several months. That's why it is recommended to wear so-called 'stinger suits' when diving/snorkeling. Speaking of snorkeling. By the way, we went snorkeling a second time. This time we went on a boat from Cairns to Green Island. From there, you could snorkel from the beach on your own. Well, first of all, the island was awesome. Beautiful, with turquoise water and white beaches. Of course, including countless palm trees. Secondly, our first snorkeling tour could not be topped by far. During the first tour, the underwater world simply looked perfect. The corals shone in their colors, moved harmoniously with the water, and were a beautiful home for fish. It's indescribable, really. When I think back to the turtle, my mouth automatically turns up. But let's get back to the topic. The second time snorkeling, we could also see countless fish. In all sizes and colors. There was even a water snake on the ground. By the way, all water snakes are venomous. But let's leave that aside. The sad truth, however, was that many corals were simply dead. Why? You should never stand on corals, as it damages them. What happens when the water is lower (partly due to the ebb) and you can stand? Exactly, people step on the corals or keep hitting them with their fins. Sad but true. Who's to blame again? Yes, that's right, humans. Nevertheless, the further we went out into the water, the healthier it looked. However, if we had known that in advance, we would have definitely chosen a different tour. Well, like everything else, it was also an experience. Despite everything, we had a really nice day.
Next, we went to Kuranda. Kuranda is, let's call it a village, in the middle of the rainforest. I particularly liked the atmosphere there. Two markets create a spiritual atmosphere in the village. You feel a bit like you're back in the hippie era. So every second person is dressed like that there. Many stalls with homemade, colorful, sustainable clothing, you get an insight into the art of the Aboriginal people, and you can even get a foot reflexology massage. Oh, and David also got a haircut at the hairdresser's. Luckily, I don't have to do that. My 'haircut skills' are limited. And all of this in the tropics! Having your own practice in the rainforest? There are worse things, right? Well, at the latest in summer, you surely wish you were back in the Black Forest. So we strolled through the aisles of the hippie markets, a little reggae, smiling faces everywhere, unique shops, breathtaking nature, and everything decorated with love. And all of this under a clear sky and a cool breeze. It doesn't just sound wonderful, it was!What is winter for the people here right now is summer for us in terms of temperatures. We really chose a good travel time. We've already heard that from several locals. It's simply too hot here in the Australian summer. Well, in any case, our exploration of Kuranda ended with a fresh coconut. It not only tastes good but is a real refreshment and also very healthy!
Did I tell you about the Wallaman Falls? No? I don't have to tell you much about it either. Look at the picture and marvel at the power of nature.