Trip to the Rainforest

After the trip to the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, I have since been able to check out a wildlife habitat, go on the Daintree River to check out crocodiles, go on a nightwalk through the Daintree Rainforest (which apparently was the inspiration for the movie Avatar), and go "jungle surfing" through the rainforest.

picture taken from window of bus on way to rainforest

wallaby

black swans

cassowary

bird with a really sharp beak

apparently koalas sleep for 20 hours a day

view of the Daintree forest from croc infested Daintree River

 accommodation with some other guys for the night 

view of the ocean 

During the Daintree Rainforest  night-walk, we were able to see all different types of vegetation and creatures. One of these was the strangler fig 

which is a parasitic vine which hollows out the inside of trees creating this cool pattern seen throughout the forest. I also licked the flavorful green ant, whose body is has a coating of absorbic acid (vitamin C) which was used by the aboriginals to help cure illness. 

Our group also came across the Forest Dragon native to the Daintree Forest 

as well as the huntsman spider 

which can detect even the most sensitive of movements. We also saw some of the frogs of the forest and I came across a bandicoot outside of my room for the night. 

bandicoot

Earlier today, before leaving the Daintree Forest area called Cape Tribulation, I saw no less than 3 stingrays, while walking in the water on the beach. Amazing how well they blend in, and you have to make sure you don't step on them. The first was distinctly different than the last 2, with the first having a more short, stubby tail and the other having much more of a whiptail.

Will upload more pictures when I have more reliable internet access.