Dylan just loves the bush track near my house, mangroves and lots of things to sniff and explore!

The United Nations’ International Day of Peace – marked every year on September 21 -
is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments
highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.

Below is a special video clip to provoke thought on global issues and
promote peace in all forms. The piece features music from
John Butler Trio’s “What you Want” and Bliss n Eso’s “The Sea is Rising”.

http://www.theseaisrising.org/

http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome

Remarkably, two years on, he achieved his primary objective when the 192 member states of the United Nations unanimously adopted 21 September as an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace.

The UN International Day of Peace on 21 September every year is not only about creating peace between nations, it’s about non-violence in our homes, communities and schools. Therefore Peace Day is relevant to every human being on the planet.

Now the next major objective is to introduce 3 billion people to Peace Day by 2012. To do it, we need the help of all people regardless of age, race, nationality, religion or gender; people who are willing to stand up for peace.

Mission

Peace One Day looks to engage all sectors of society, including governments, organisations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organisations and individuals in observance of 21 September, through the practical manifestation of non-violence and ceasefire in accordance with UN GA Resolution 55/282, and encourage action on Peace Day that creates a united and sustainable world.

“It is the peoples of this world who can create peace.”

Ahmad Fawzi

Wow busy but fun day! (for the most part)

Firstly the sad part, Digger is very sick and having trouble walking so we went to the vet, he has all sorts of problems, liver / heart / lungs. Vet said he only has a few months to live and now needs 2 pills everyday!

We had breakfast at the beach (Hugette and I) to put our minds off digger!

Sabastian has been itchy because of the heat and his fur getting dirty so Troy and I gave him a haircut! he seemed to like it, put up with it anyway! Is a lot softer now! Will be good now its warming up! Looks a bit funny though

We also cleaned out the fish tank on the balcony and moved it! Looks a lot better now!

Tim.

Troy and I spent the day today studying at the beach, fish and chips and good company!

Tim.

John came up for the weekend which was nice! We went for a trip up to Kuranda and visited the Butterfly Sanctuary, Barron Falls and the markets! Was a nice day out and a great weekend!

Kuranda:

The rainforest around Kuranda has been home to the Djabugay people for over 10,000 years. Europeans began to explore the area throughout the nineteenth century. It is believed a massacre of indigenous people took place at the location in Kuranda know as Skeleton Creek. Kuranda was first settled in 1885 and surveyed by Thomas Behan in 1888. Construction of the now famous railway from Cairns to Myola (later Cairns to Herberton) began in 1887 and the line reached Kuranda in 1891. The current railway station was built in 1915.

Although coffee was grown around Kuranda in the early twentieth century, timber was the town’s primary industry for a number of years.

The Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station was built nearby in the 1960s. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Kuranda was popular with alternative lifestylers, and today is a thriving tourist town.

The town receives thousands of tourists each week who arrive on the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns, the Skyrail gondola cableway, or by coach on the Kuranda Range road.

Attractions in the town include a regular market, consisting of a range of arts and crafts stalls as well as restaurants. Kuranda is a major centre for opals and didgeridoos. It was also the first home of the Tjapukai Indigenous Dance Theatre, established by former New Yorkers Judy and Don Freeman, together with indigenous dancer and actor, David Hudson. The theatre is now located adjacent the Skyrail base station at Caravonica. Kuranda is home to a bird park, butterfly sanctuary, a bat rehabilitation centre, snake and venom park and koala sanctuary. As mentioned, the town is surrounded by rainforest rich in wildlife, with numerous walks and lookouts, such as to the Barron Falls.

Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary:

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in Australia – a quality wildlife park in the heart of Kuranda Village.

Situated next to the Kuranda markets, The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies that are hand reared on the premises.

All are local rainforest species, including an iconic Kuranda butterfly, the electric blue Ulysses, and the majestic fluoro green and yellow Cairns Birdwing.

The aviary, set in the midst of Kuranda rainforest, was opened in 1987 and has been visited by over a million people since. Guided tours through the aviary and laboratory are conducted throughout the day, detailing a butterfly’s life cycle and behaviour.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is included in several Kuranda tours with other Kuranda attractions, such as the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, and other Kuranda zoos such as Rainforestation Nature Park.

Links:

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
http://www.australianbutterflies.com/

Kuranda – Wikipedia Entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuranda,_Queensland

Went out to Behana Gorge with Troy today! We went to take photos for photography and also have a swim! HAHA was a bit cold to swim though! Very nice spot though! Was nice to visit a part of Cairns that is off the tourist tracks! Seen a turtle and all!

Behana Gorge Background

Behana Gorge is a classic example of a gorge, that is a deep narrow passage with steep rocky sides much like a ravine.

It has a relatively narrow mouth of about one kilometre, opening into the wider Mulgrave River valley. Behana Creek flows out of the Gorge toward the Mulgrave River and eventually the Great Barrier Reef.

Behana Gorge is approximately 1.5 km wide at its widest point from east to west. It’s surrounded by the ridges and mountains of the Bellenden Ker Range (1582m), Walsh’s Pyramid (922m), Mount Massey (1258m), Mount Harold (1200m), Mount Sophia (789m) and Mount Toressa (527m).

These slopes and mountains are covered with relatively dense sclerophyll forests. On the northern and eastern faces of Walsh’s pyramid there’s also woodlands,  rock pavement vegetation and rock outcrops.

Behana Gorge is unique along the east coast of Australia because of the steep fall of Behana Creek. It’s typified by large boulders, numerous white water rapids, and waterfalls, including Whites Falls, Clamshell Falls, and Mt Massey Falls.  Seasonal waterfalls and natural water slides occur on Walsh’s Pyramid during the wet season.  Lower Behana Creek includes a number of areas with deeper water holes and calm pools of water. These water holes are one of the major attractions of the area for tourists wanting to escape the North Queensland heat.

Behana Hill is at the centre of the Quarry proposal, and situated in virtually the centre of Behana Gorge. It is isolated from the surrounding mountains and stands 125 metres. All visitors to the area pass Behana Hill on their way to the famous swimming spots. It might only be small compared to its larger surrounding mountains, but Behana Hill plays an important part in separating the water catchment of northern tributaries to Behana Creek.

Behana Gorge has remained relatively untouched in recent times, the landscape changing little in decades. At present external alterations in the area include Behana Gorge Road, domestic water supply pipelines, chlorination and filtration plant(at the end of the public road), a concrete walking track to Clamshell Falls, sugarcane fields, electricity lines, 15 residences and several farm outbuildings.

Visitors to the Gorge know it as a lush, green, sparsely settled agricultural area surrounded by impressive and imposing natural forested mountains. Once inside the Gorge you’re treated to unique views of Walsh’s Pyramid (which is seen as far north as Cairns Harbour,  Trinity Inlet, and along the Bruce Highway), Mount Sophia, North Peak, Bellenden Ker Centre Peak and Mount Massey. It is these impressive mountain formations which tend to draw the attention of the outside observers toward Behana Creek Gorge.

Having a great weekend at cape tribulation! Celebrating johns birthday! Great food, great location and stunning weather!

I got a new car today! 2004 Toyota Corolla! Love it

Had a nice day today! Troy and I started off with breakfast on the beach and then went shopping! Bought Sims 3

Tim

Had a great day at Ellis Beach with Troy, hardly seen any other people! Had a nice lunch and drinks and went for a swim! Good day, think we have found a new study spot!

Ellis Beach is located by the Coral Sea in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, where the heritage listed rainforest meets the heritage listed Great Barrier Reef – two worlds in one.

A five kilometre strip of golden sand, Ellis Beach is located in Tropical North Queensland – half way between Cairns and Port Douglas, a mere twenty five minutes drive North from Cairns International Airport, on the Captain Cook Highway.

It is nestled between the world heritage listed rainforest and the Coral Sea – the gateway to the heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.