TABLELANDS RAINFOREST REGION-YUNGABURRA-MALANDA

We decided to take a day drive throughout the Atherton Tablelands, 'valley of the mists'. We visited The Curtain Fig Tree, which is an interesting reflection of the spirit world being manifested in nature- an example of over cloaking. A seed of the fig tree implants in the crown of the host tree, it grows roots that encircle the host tree and vertically to the ground- anchoring it to the earth. The host tree is strangulated, and eventually rots away- leaving the persistent and opportunistic Fig. Mmm, there's one to ponder- how often do we strangle and smother others in our lives under the guise that it's loving and supportive? Or to be even more humble, and truthfully look at our past and acknowledge where we have been opportunistic, and USED the strength of another in order to 'get ahead', or present ourselves in a certain way, ensuring our 'survival', at the detriment of another?
This happens in many and varied ways often without us even being aware of our unlovingness.
I'll admit, I have done this. I have climbed the proverbial 'society accepting ladder' by using the 'credibility' of another person. I realise now I have done this, because my own self worth is so lacking, that I figured people will accept me and respect me... And like me and maybe even love me, if I am associated with this person/group/community/profession. In the past I have also used the title "Dr." to manipulate a situation in order to get what I want- in that one interaction, I have no idea the number of people I have treated unlovingly as a consequence. I have played on the injury and belief of society, that "Dr." makes me more important than you. I am so ashamed that I have disrespected you all, and been so demanding because of this selfish act. For sometime I have not wanted to use the 'honorary title'- because in my head it created separateness. Its only now as I cite this example, I actually feel it in my heart the shame of using and 'climbing' my way to a more 'elevated' level. Oh what a facade this has been! A friend who is moving from australia recently said to me- " I do not refer to myself as 'I am a chiropractor'...'I am simply me and I happen to have a chiropractic degree'."
Thank you D, I am realising and feeling another layer of truth and humility in those words.

We meandered onward along the waterfall circuit from Malanda:
Millaa Millaa falls
Zillie falls
Ellinjaa falls
Pepina falls
(Check out the pics in album section)
And made several attempts to lay eyes on the infamous Platypus- which still remains elusive. Maybe they are sensitive to my excitement in seeing them in their natural habitat!!
We ended the day at Innot hot springs which was awesome! This whole region is volcanic- so if you dig yourself a whole in the sand next to the river, you create a bath at 75 deg!! Channel in some cooler river water and you may be able to sit in it long enough to soak up the minerals!!! We opted for the sand free version and used man-made pools but it was still very nice soaking in the 45deg and 32deg pools and plunge pool.
It's been bucketing cats and dogs, so we squibbed out and found a cheap cabin for a few days- going tent crazy is worse than cabin fever!!
Next stop Port Douglas, and the Butterfly Sanctuary.