Bowen, Part 2,see below for part 1
Back to our trip, I left you in Kuranda after travelling down, by van, then up, by train, and we were about to descend by Skyrail. Well, words cannot really describe the sensation and the views and the emotions that the skyrail trip (there are actually 3 distinct journeys) provides as you travel from Kuranda down to Cairns. The weather was great and the views grand. In fact the multitude of things to look at overcomes the sheer terror at the predicament you find yourself in as this little selfcontained car heads off over the abysses and rainforest of the mountain. They put the towers in by helicopter so the rainforest is undisturbed around you but you are so close to previously unreachable sights. Just amazing. At the first stop they have a whole centre devoted to the rainforest, an educational experience with touchscreens and videos and microscopes, a real ecotourism event. AT the second stop they have built a boardwalk and a ranger takes you on a 20 minute talk/walk and shares the rainforest with you, right in front of your eyes!! Then you get back on and do the last and most spectacular section of the skyrail, up over the last peak and down the face of the mountain with the Cairns area and the ocean and the islands laid out in front of you, almost too much to take in. Wow is about all I can say. Libby says "panoramic!" with a far-away look in her eyes!! Although this view here is quite good too! (and a bus full of young backpackers has just pulled in...as I say panoramic views everywhere!!!)
We stayed in Edmonton (a southern suburb of Cairns) that night and slept very well!!
Sunday we travelled south to Townsville and pulled into Paranella Park and spent hours here. It is too hard to describe this and the kids are getting restless but don't forget to ask us about it and see the brochures and video and photos as it will be worth the effort.
Stayed back in Townsville at the same park as last week then travelled yesterday into Townsville to the STrand for the kids to play in the terrific water play thing...they had a ball...again ask to see the video..you will be impressed!!
Must go, will catch up with you soon, regards to all, and a big hello to the staff at Bombala High School. I am very grateful for their efforts to cover things for me, classes and especially reports.. Thanks for that, thanks Maths staff, it would have been a very big job and there will be a little extra something in you paypackets this week, thanks.
Bye for now, Warwick and Libby and crew!!

Bowen, Tues 2 July 2002, email us at longw@acr.net.au (text only, sorry) Create your own Blog at www.blogger.com
Here we are at the Big Mango overlooking Bowen and as I type the view of the water and Gloucester Island in the distance is fantastic. The temperature is perfect and the taste of the mango icecream Libby just gave me is delicious!! It is 10.30am and we have had a busy morning already. Up early and out to look at the lovely little beaches and not so lovely resorts!! (personal opinion only, I am sure they are nice, just too close to the beach). Horseshoe Bay is delightful and was recommended to me by the salesman in Retravision in Townsville yesterday!! I really set the cat amongst the pigeons by parking parallel instead of angle at the tiny car park there. The first person was a grand lady in her togs and straw hat who was most insistent that I must be from mars and surely I could see the totally faded darker bricks in the paving which denoted the correct angle!!! I thanked her and kept walking the 2 metres to the beach to video for the 5-10mins we had given ourselves (there was still plenty of room even in that small area and there was an identical motorhome already parked in front of us parallel) Then a lovely tanned gentleman in his 60's came over and kindly mentioned the parking thing, almost apologetically, and we fell into a lovely conversation about Kavieng and Port Moresby and our memories of there!!! So I moved and reparked the van after that!!!
Will post this and begin part 2!!