Upon arrival back from Undara we checked into the Kookaburra Lodge in Yungaburra. We had to drop Chillagoe Caves from our itinerary but this left us with two full days and three nights here, which wasn't hard to swallow at all. We could spend quite a bit of time in the Atherton Tablelands, and Yungaburra is a very pleasant village.
After lots of early mornings, it turns out the sun doesn't rise until 5:40 in the tablelands, so we woke too early at 4:30. We quickly adapted though and took advantage of the extra hour of sleep. Breakfast is included in the very reasonable rate here, and served on the table in front of our rooms. We ate each morning at 7:15, watching butterflies and enjoying the garden.
Wednesday
On Wednesday I decided to stay put, and sent Steve and Alan off for a full day of birding. I read, wrote, and chased a few butterflies in the garden. The highlight of my day was seeing the Cairns Birdwing! There were lots of Bordered Rustic butterflies and a metallic emerald green beetle called the Christmas beetle.
About one I took a walk through the village, looking for lunch. I stopped in at the Lake Eacham Hotel. I figured out the part about ordering at the bar, but didn't realize I had to pick up my own cutlery. The runner brought me my lunch, but no fork or knife! I had to go ask another diner what to do.
From there I poked my head in at the bakery, stopped at the pharmacy to have them take a look at my ankles, and looked around a homewares/gift shop, resisting the urge to buy anything. I needed some cash and had been pointed up to the post office.
I came upon the bowls club and stood and watched a bit and a woman said to me 'are you thinking of taking up the game?" I answered that I didn't actually know what it was, and she said 'Oh, are you an American?' and immediately made her way over to me to explain what bowls is, how there are some intricacies to it, and it is a great game! Then we chatted about where I was from, how happy she was to see American tourists, that they didn't get many, and so on. It was a pleasant little interlude.
No luck at the PO, but I kept wandering around, looking at the shops and buildings, then made my way to the Gem Shop. There some really beautiful stones but again I resisted the urge to buy. But we had a nice chat. Next to Foodway (cash machine there!) to buy some water and a few other things, poked my head in the bookshop, then back to the lodge for a cup of tea and more hanging out on the veranda.
Steve came back and topped my one Cairns Birdwing with several plus a Ulysses out on Mundy road. Darn him.
The Nocturnal Tour
A real highlight was going out on the nocturnal tour with Alan. We meet at the Platypus viewing area at Peterson Creek and a couple from Yorkshire joined us. Alan spent a few minutes showing us what we would be looking for, then we headed out to the Curtain Fig Tree. Alan kitted out both Crystal and myself with spotlights, and he of course led the way with his. We walked down the road scanning the trees.
We got a little rained on, and the critters were uncooperative for awhile, but then we saw first a Brushtail Possum and then a Green Ringtail Possum. We moved back to the parking area, looking all the while, then there was a short downpour and we took shelter under the info area roof. We walked around the Curtain Fig Tree and there were cockroaches and a millepede to look at.
Back across the street we got another good look at a green ringtail possum, then back on the parking area side I saw something small move. Once Alana started looking, there was another green ringtail possum and this one gave quite a show, moving about, using its tail and then eating a fig, dripping juices as it ate. There was a spectacled fruit bat there as well, and probably what I originally saw move. So, we obligingly watched it for awhile as well.
Alan gave us warning that if the bat flew over our heads, to duck and cover our heads as they urinate when they take off!
The tree kangaroo remained elusive, but it was an absolutely great night.
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