little momma and company: January 2010

My favorite day in Australia included staying here:

But to get there, we had to drive up a winding mountain one lane path that didn't have any fences or guard rails?!

As soon as we checked in and got to our villa, we were welcomed by birds. This little fella was waiting on our porch.

The birds came in droves as soon as we walked outside!

Birds! Birds! Birds!

It was all fun and games until someone tried nipping my earrings.

Naughty birds!

That night we went on a few amazing nature walks that included nighttime wildlife and a huge glow worm grotto.

We also learned about the infamous Gympie-Gympie plant and it's poisonous (and sometimes deadly) needles, all while unaware we were standing right under a giant one!

curious? Watch this little video about Gympie Gympie.

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Morning was amazing. All I could hear was the sounds of birds. It was a peaceful way to wake up.

The forest was very beautiful in the morning, and very active. I could not was to get exploring!

We even found the one public telephone.

And--Oh, those birds. We brought some trail mix, and as soon as they saw the nuts and fruits they flew out of the trees and bombarded our back patio.

Jeff was the brave one!

I can still vividly remember all the sounds of the rain forest in the morning. The Whip bird was my favorite. It made this amazing whip-crack call.

Click here to listen to a whip bird!

Most of the morning was spent on an early morning bird watch. Jeff even got to hand feed one of them bread crumbs. It was like the Garden of Eden.

Our first stop of the day was the tree top walk. It started off low and gradually had you climb up higher and higher. At one point there was a ladder bolted to the tree where you could climb to one of the highest points of the walk and look out. This is when my inner unknown fear of heights reared it's ugly head. I really had to talk myself into climbing up that vertical ladder!

I got up to the first tier and could not coax myself up any higher. My hands were so sweaty and slipped and slid all over the metal ladder rungs. Jeff made it to the top and called down to me that the perch they had attached to the tree on the third tier was loose and wobbly and that he was wiggling all around up there. I was SO glad I had not gone up any higher!

He did take the camera so he could get a great shot!

Heading into the thick of the rain forest was such a dreamy experience. The lush green just called me in.

All was well until we stumbled into this little clearing. We were enjoying the view from a sheer cliff side when all of a sudden we heard a rustling from the bushes. We turned and in our horror feasted our eyes upon...

I darted away, and then screamed to Jeff-- Do they have Komodo Dragons in Australia?! We were stunned for a while, just watching it and then Jeff suddenly was reminded about Goannas-- large non venomous lizards. He inched up closer and closer for a better look--- but I was not convinced and kept my distance. It had claws, and a long tongue... that was enough for me.

After that, I was spooked!
My eyes darted back and forth looking for Goannas everywhere.

Finally, after getting lost twice we made it to the falls.

Later that afternoon, we went on one of the activities we had signed up for: The Flying Fox. I don't know why, but the chicken in me just would not leave me alone. My new found fear of heights was just chewing at me.

This zip line required sexy helmets and body harnesses. We hiked up a huge mountain side in our pinchy helmets and clumsy strapping.

Don't I look awesome! A full days hike around the sultry rain forest climbing trees and being chased by giant lizards will do that for a girl. (not to mention that forever sexy helmet.)