Intro to Cairns

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Another busy day but fun. After breakfast at the Oasis we hear a lecture on Wet Tropical Rain Forest of North Queensland by Brian Clarke. Interesting iformation and lecturer. We board a coach and go to Kuranda -- a village (for tourists) in the rain forest. We have some "retail therapy" as Brian calls it. Find a framed Aboriginal Print we like and buy it. Then we have lunch at the Trading Post Restaurant. It was served nicely--fish and chips -- good and served hot. Then we go to the Butterfly Sanctuary accross the road from the main part of Kuranda--beautiful butterflies flying all around us-- even landing on some people. We then board the Skyrail Gondola and ride above the rain forest viewing the canopy that looked like bunches of broccoli. We return to the Oasis hotel and have a practice snorkeling session with Alan in the pool. Next we have a lecture by David O'Brien on the Great Barrier Reef. Have a late dinner and go to bed.

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Photos

Our table for Lunch
We were seated on a deck with a view of bouganvillia, bamboo and other rain forest vegitation

To the Butterfly Sanctuary
Norma got a butterfly on her hat!

Gondola riders
Bernie & Hazel, John & Marty(taking the picture)

practice snorkeling
We gather for a practice snorkeling session in the Oasis Pool with Alan