Thursday 15th May - We departed from Coral Towers and headed in torrential rain to Kuranda up the windy mountain road.It stopped raining soon after we got to the village so was able to have a look around (Richard and Sue hadn't been here before).Heading on up to Mareeba we visited a coffee factory, where they roasted all the beans and made the different mixes etc. The place smelt wonderful, but after the tasting we were all hyper!The fact that it was also a chocolate factory did not help.On the road we stopped at a war memorial park for lunch, it was originally a field hospital during the Second World War.As we drove through the tablelands we passed lots of sugar cane fields and banana plantations.This area produces something like 90% of Australias coffee crop and we were also able to view rows of neatly planted tea bushes.We headed for Yungaburra and decided to stay the night here.We checked into the Kookabura lodge, really lovely rooms we a little terrace to sit out on and have breakfast.The boys headed off to Lake Tinaroo to chuck out a line (as it was almost dusk I preferred to chill with my book as opposed to fighting with mozzies!).When they returned we headed down into the town to find food.The village hotel/pub was the place to be.The menu had about 5 choices, but tonight was the monthly charity dance night!About 7 or 8 couples were in the dance hall shake, rattle and rolling or maybe that should be quickstep, fox trotting and waltzing!We were invited to join in, but politely declined as it reminding us too much of Saturday night at the Railway Club back in the 70's!!!The village did however have a nice gem store where all pieces are made in house and next door was a fruit winery with some interesting mixes.Friday 16th was 'waterfall day' we were in the right area to do the waterfall circle.We first went to visit Lake Eacham, very beautiful and serene.The water so clear you could see the bottom, there were lots of fish and turtles.The plan was to call into Lake Barrine another crater lake, but we took the wrong turning and missed it!The giant fig tree was next on the agenda, it has been standing for some 800 years and had a boardwalk so you could get up close but not damaging the tree, the last time I visited this area we walked right up to the base. Then came the falls, Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa and finally Mungalli.We also stopped at Mungalli farm and had a taste of their cheese, had a Devonshire tea for lunch, and purchases their home made Greek yoghurt!Mission beach was our next destination, we arrived around 4.15pm and went to the tourist information for accommodation listings.Getting our priorities right Rob and I booked onto a dive boat for the next morning!We drove around a bit and finally checked into the Mission Beach Resort Motel - the rooms were large, but I have to say not exactly clean, they have a problem with little sugar ants around this area and it seemed as if we were staying in their cemetery the ledges were covered in dead ones.The beds were clean and providing we had a quick check each night everything was fine!Richard has an old work colleague who emigrated here last year, unfortunately he was away on business but they arranged to meet his wife Sheila (no comments please this is her real name!).