ANOTHER WORLD

 On our last day at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat we went for a walk in the rainforest. It is like visiting another world. We were sneaking along the boardwalk quietly to try and see some of the exotic birds that live in this forest. We could hear all the different calls especially the whistle and crack of the Whip Bird which does just sound like a whip cracking. Unfortunately, none of my bird shots are worth publishing. It was so dark in the forest and I used a zoom lens without a tripod so the result was a blurry mess. So instead of birds you'll get trees. They tend to stand still.

TOH and George lead the way

Some of the trees have huge buttress roots like the one on the left. Other trees have been strangled to death by the Strangler Fig like the one on the right. When the host tree dies and decays the Strangler vine is strong enough to support itself. You can get inside this tree see below.

 Chris is standing in front of a gap where you can look inside.

A small person  like me can get in there and look up inside the tree

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Further in the jungle there is a tree top walk. The first one ever built in Australia. Hopefully it is still safe. It swings, bounces and squeaks as you walk amongst the treetops metres from the ground.

George even climbed further up a giant tree on a ladder inside a cage to a platform built even higher up. Looking down can make you feel dizzy.

 Even though we were high some tree tops were even higher with a huge green canopy. Many trees have elkhorn and staghorn ferns  growing on them.

 It was reassuring to be back on the forest floor and treading on the spongy leaf litter on our way back to the Retreat where we boarded a 4 wheel drive bus for another excursion.

 This time we visited Luke O'Reilly's Farm. He was the original owner and it has been occupied by the O'Reilly's ever since. Unfortunately none of the children today want to continue on living and working here. I believe they want to sell. The farm house is rented out for holidays. What a view to wake up to.

We continued through the eucalyptus forest to yet another beautiful lookout and morning tea of pumpkin damper, honey and billy tea in the quiet serene forest. Soon it was time to check out and wind our way back down the mountain to the rush of traffic and city life.