The Australia Zoo

July 5, 2012:
BEFORE the crack of dawn (I don't often get to say this, so I'm savouring the moment here), we woke up in the freezing cold, threw some clothes under our pajamas to help us keep warm and drove to Cape Byron for the sunrise. We climbed all the way to the top of the hill, past the lighthouse, and then back down to the point where the ocean was breaking against the waves at the most eastern point in Australia. We were hoping to catch the first glimpses of sunlight that would light the sky anywhere in Oz. Unfortunately, there were loads of clouds.

Instead, there were snatches of sunlight that peeked through the clouds every now and then, and we got to breathe in the salty air of the Pacific Ocean in the dull grey light. So romantic.

Of course, as we walked away, the clouds finally cleared out of the way and made way for a beautiful sunrise. Thankfully, we got to see the sun breaking over the hill as we made our way back to Ray-Jay.

Photo credit to the girls for these ones.

 

The early morning excursion meant I couldn't keep my eyes open for the two hour jaunt to Beerwah, home of Steven Irwin and the Australia Zoo.

 

If you happened to chance across one of my friends and asked them how I feel about animals, I think it's safe to assume that they would unanimously tell you I don't like them. I only had goldfish growing up -- relying on my memory, I'd say I had seven consecutive fish, all named Tina after one of the characters in Barney that I thought looked like me...

...I am not wrong -- and I think this has caused me to be uncomfortable around dogs and cats in other people's houses. I firmly believe that animals belong outside and I don't particularly like to touch them, despite recently discovered evidence to the contrary:

(Don't ask about my outfit. I have no idea. Maybe this photo was taken in an alternate universe.) This aversion to animals is in stark contrast to Brittney, who had wanted to become a vet, and has since decided to go into animal conservation. She adores animals, and I knew that a big part of the attraction to Australia is the wildlife which is so different from anything we have in North America... even for me. All this to say, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the zoo.

We saw Tassie Devils, dingos, a few crocs (thankfully, not the shoes... that would have been more terrifying), camels and a few koalas before lunch. Then we took our seats for the main attraction: the show. Since Steve Irwin's death, his family has stepped up to fill his shoes. His wife, Terri, was an excellent and engaging speaker. His daughter, Bindi, who just turned 13 is a marketer's dream. She is the Australian version of a Disney girl. She has films (à la MK and Ashley Olsen), books, dolls and a television show as well as something called "Bindi's Bootcamp" which sounds alarming. Robert, who is 8, is beginning to write his own books as well. They were born into animal activism and they are clearly passionate about it. They definitely got me thinking about the impacts of humans on natural habitats and the endangerment of different animals.

 

Before our eyes, Bindi fed an enormous croc named Charlie. I teared up a few times because of the tributes to Steve Irwin, who passed away as the result of a freak accident with a Sting Ray (which are normally not dangerous). The thought of his family continuing his life's work without him really got to me.

After the show, we marvelled at zebras, giraffes, rhinos, tigers, elephants and a mother koala and its baby which made my heart melt it was so adorable. We saw some wicked snakes, some wombats, and I actually patted a red kangaroo which can jump up to 3 metres into the air and can go 60 km/h.

The fur was super soft to touch and I felt all brave and stuff for touching it.... even though I'd gone skydiving only days before.

At the end of our awesome animal adventure we piled back into Ray-Jay and hit the road for Noosa Head. It was our first experience cooking in a hostel kitchen; luckily, we just beat the rush of other backpackers and enjoyed our delicious pasta in the common area before tucking into some Tim Tam's before bed. We were in for another early morning adventure the next day on Fraser Island.