Our mornings here in Mossman Gorge are so refreshing. We usually exercise together, taking brisk walks thru the Rainforest.
I think back at how much I’ve missed in life from not taking a moment to enjoy nature. It is gorgeous seeing God’s creation. After two weeks I still can’t believe WE ARE LITERALLY IN THE RAINFOREST. I never imagined being able to say that. Beautiful rocks with water brushing over them. The streams are so relaxing.
There is so much history in this forest. As we walk the trail we can’t help but think of the aboriginals who hunted through this trail for turtles, stingray and kangaroo. This rainforest is said to be the oldest of time. There are so many different types of trees, trees I’ve never laid eyes on before.
These Kuku Yulanji people have used these trees for medicine. They haven’t wasted any part of the Black Palm trees, using their trunk for spears and the top for food.
They’ve even used it to make dilly bars. The dilly bars are multi purposeful: carriers for babies, strainer for food, laundry basket. The dilly bar is what was used to hide many babies from being taken into assimilation by the Europeans.
Walking through this rainforest is like walking with the ancestors of Mossman Gorge. I am incited by their oral traditions as I walk; admiring the root of their culture but saddened at the lack of knowledge the young people in the community have of their roots. They have not been taught how to catch sea animals with a spear. They do not know how to prepare meals with the sea water and nearby fire. Of course now, there is not a dire need, for they can find meat in the supermarkets.
