The Bucket List

A Movie or Living a Full Life?

For many the 2007 comedy/adventure, The Bucket List was a movie for mass change. It encouraged people to be themselves, say what needs to be said, and live their dreams instead of only dreaming about them.

So, when my mum, who thoroughly enjoyed our trip together last year on the Ghan decided to make it a biannual event, it magically turned into an annual event when she realised life was about embracing it while she can.

This year’s adventure was to Cape York, Queensland. My gratitude is beyond words and at the same time, I’m aware that this adventure was more than simply sightseeing and experiencing and was a purification in and of itself… there is so much we can be unaware of when not fully living life as a multidimensional being.

For friends living outside Australia, the map below shows the top northern eastern point of Australia, and for everyone, highlights in pink depict the path my mum, sister and I travelled. Much gratitude to Michael on our tour who kept a record of each step.

Pre-tour day in Cairns…

5am in Cairns from our first-floor balcony, I hear runner shoe soles squeak and squelch on the wooden planks that line the water’s edge. Some short steps, heavy-footed, others longer and lighter… there’s movement into the rise of a new day and the essence of adventure awaits us.

When I open my eyes I see a boat crew preparing for a day’s fishing. I hear the men cough as they heave bags of ice across the marina from one boat to another. As the darkness of night recedes, an outline of the mountains comes into view… golden purple hues showcasing a single bright star followed by the silhouette of birds in flight.

A sea of synthetic lights shimmers across the water, a dull comparison to the sun’s rays, yet lighting pathways all the same. I wait patiently for the sun to reveal itself, inhale the fresh salty sea air, grateful for this travel opportunity to return to the land of sugar cane and fresh fruits recalled from memories of a 10-years young identity.

Kuranda Sky-Rail

Smithfield Terminal to Kuranda Terminal is 7kms with the entire ground beneath us situated on world heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park. As the train was out of action due to maintenance, we three travelled to and from via the Sky Rail… something I wasn’t prepared for.

I’m not usually afraid of heights so it came as a surprise when the gondola didn’t feel safe… only days into our journey later would I realise why.

We chose the direct route to Kuranda and stopped at Barron Falls (elevation 34m) and Red Peak (elevation 545m) on the way back, where we synchronistically aligned with a guided ranger to walk and hear his talk. It was astonishing to learn that the Daintree Rainforest precedes the Amazon by 80 million years. Though, we later heard varying dates. Who knows?

What was evident, from above, was the vastness and depth where we never saw the forest floor for the density of lush rainforest giant canopy of beings. While high in the treetops we appreciated the sounds of cicadas and native birdlife in abundance while inhaling the fresh air.

Gondola #75 on the way there and synchronistically the same number on our return.

Barron Falls… can you spot the rainbow?

I’m smiling because we are returning to Terrafirma! lol!

More about the bucket list and highlights from our tour to come… may you enjoy this journey through the largest wilderness of Far North Queensland, Australia as experienced through my nature ways of being.

Love in Harmony,

Leanda Michelle