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Friday, January 14, 2011
Bucket List Item
As you all know, I'm a sucker for cute furry things.
Even cute furry things with sharp claws.
And I've always wanted to hold or pet a koala.
But never thought I would.
Well, I never thought in a million years I'd go to Australia.
This is Arthur. I can't say I hold the Australian Naming Commission in the highest regard. But it's a sweet enough name. Actually, that would be a dream job for me. Naming Koalas. I'd have named him Gumdrop.
Or Pugsley.
Or Mumford.
Or Bailey.
Or Fatbottom McSnuggle.
Or Mumford.
Or Bailey.
Or Fatbottom McSnuggle.
"I loves you, Tree."
Arthur lives at The Taronga Zoo in Sydney. It cost $25 for a "Koala Encounter" which allowed us to get up close but not personal (note the claws), the handler/keeper took a few photos, we weren't allowed to, and they chose which one they thought we'd like best and it was waiting for us at the entry of the zoo later. To be honest, they rushed us through pretty quickly, not really wanting to chat or tell us about him. It was not much of a quality moment. I'd give the exhibit/encounter a C.
This is Jack (but I like to think of his as "Smedley").
He lives at Sydney's Wildlife World.
Although I would say Sydney's Taronga Zoo is lovely and scenic,
it gets an C- for the ability to actually SEE the animals!
Although I would say Sydney's Taronga Zoo is lovely and scenic,
it gets an C- for the ability to actually SEE the animals!
But hey, great view of the Opera House (?!)
So Jack here, he lives at Sydney's Wildlife World, an amazing zoological attraction in Darling Harbour. And this was a fabulous surprise and adventure for us. Housed inside, tons of native animals in fantasticly done habitats and exhibits (I ignored the spider exhibit).
But best of all... on the upper level... the Koala Rooftop exhibit... you paid a paltry $12 to PET and have your photo taken with one of the little guys.
Without hesitation, I'd say it was the best $12 I've ever spent.
Smedley (aka Jack) was pretty comfy in that tree. He smiled at me, and I knew we would be best friends and write each other long letters about our lives and hopes for the future.
We were let inside an enclosure that had a plexy gate and came up to about my hips or higher. There were trees in the small enclosure and 5 koalas packing in the beauty sleep on the branches that were at about face height for humans. Their crankiness is legendary, so we petted Smedley very carefully. The keeper told us only one is petted per day, and the others get 5 days off so as to keep them from being stressed. Smedley seemed to enjoy it as much as we did though. I believe he is a Southern Koala. The difference being how dark his fur is.
Sandra asked me what their fur felt like. As you can see, it's almost wiry and kinky, but very soft. Not like a bunny, but more tough. It has a nap to it. Just like Smedley had a nap.
I think that I shall never see... a thing as cuddly in a tree.
"I'm ready for my close up, Shephard."
I'd have stayed all day to watch. So sorry to leave him behind. I even watched other people having encounters. We were that close. What an amazing experience though. $12. $12!!!
Bye, Little Smedley.
~Shephard :)
Labels: Australia
posted by Shephard @ 