Click here for transcript >
Enter slowly to the left, the custodians of the rainforest also known as Australian Brush-turkeys, will walk across their land at any time to show you that they are the true owners of the place. If you feel like it, turn off your aircon and music, open your car windows and breathe in the crisp air of the fresh green rainforest. Do you hear it? Silence – and faint 1 bird songs in the distance. As you move forward, the rubber tyres sticking to the wet road are the only things that feel foreign to this area.
Walk up to the covered portion and observe the photo instructions on how to care for the rainforest during your visit. On the left are bathrooms that are here to remind you that you haven’t completely left civilisation2. It is now or never to put on some insect repellent; the toxicity of the spray is deadly for native3 insects in the forest. I’ve never needed it, maybe you don’t either.
When walking through the forest, stick to4 the path. In Australia, it’s a good idea to walk on the left side of the trail5 so that people going the opposite direction can go past you. Taking shortcuts will not only contaminate6 the soil, but native baby plants will be killed under the heavy sole of your shoes. Take as many selfies as you need, don’t rush your time in nature. While the temptation7 to pick plants is strong (yes you, grandma), it is not recommended to disturb any flora8. If you like it, take a photo. Use Google Lens to find out the plant species9 so you can buy it sustainably10. On your journey down, you will come across many insta worthy sites, you shall discover them on your own.
On a weekday, you have the location all to yourself and you can go crazy with your camera. At the weekend, the popular photo spots can get crowded11.
The best thing about chasing waterfalls is that you become focused on your sense of hearing. Keep going down, the waterfall calls for you. It is such a short walk and you will get to it in no time. You’ll know it’s near when you hear water rushing12. The overthinking13 slows down and your thoughts become a distant memory. Watch out when you go up and down the steps into the cave, they get slippery14.
On your arrival inside, announce yourself to the nature spirits protecting the cave. Kindly thank them for letting you enter their sacred15 place. You feel like one with the cave as you can’t see your own body in the darkness. Behind the roaring16 of the waterfall through the rock and sunlight, you hear echoes17 but not your voice. This spot feels like a meeting of the four elements. It’s hypnotising18 and the thought of jumping in does not leave your mind.
On the way to the top, you see the waterfall from above, with a panoramic view of the Natural Bridge. Stroll19 back on one of two paths; a long or short walk out of the rainforest. This magical place has survived for millions of years. To think that we still experience it with our own eyes and bodies is nothing short of a miracle20.
- faint – weak ↩︎
- civilisation – human society ↩︎
- native – of a plant or animal, of indigenous origin ↩︎
- stick to – stay on ↩︎
- trail – path or track in nature ↩︎
- contaminate – make something impure by exposure to pollution ↩︎
- temptation – irresistible urge or need ↩︎
- flora – Latin word that refers to plants or flowers ↩︎
- species – a group of animals or plants that have similar characteristics ↩︎
- sustainably – causing little or no damage to the natural environment ↩︎
- crowded – full of people ↩︎
- rushing – water moving quickly ↩︎
- overthinking – having too many thoughts, used negatively ↩︎
- slippery – difficult to hold because it may be wet, smooth or slimy ↩︎
- sacred – connected to God or of spiritual significance ↩︎
- roaring – active, strong or very loud ↩︎
- echoes – sound waves that are reflected on a surface ↩︎
- hypnotising – capturing someone’s full attention ↩︎
- stroll – walk slowly and at ease ↩︎
- miracle – extraordinary or unbelievable – supernatural ↩︎
My Life in English 
Leave a comment