What makes you tick? I think this is a question we search for on a daily basis. We are constantly looking for those things in life that bring us a natural 'high'. For me, it's animals, and that was confirmed when I spent the day at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, walking around with a smile on my face that I couldn't take off even if I tried!
The bus ride there felt long as I anxiously awaited to arrive - it was one of those rides where kids ask their parents, 'are we there yet?' hundreds of times just because they can't wait to see what is waiting for them at the other end. Fortunately for the bus driver, I resisted my urge to ask him this question and patiently awaited my stop.
When I finally stepped off the bus and was greeted by a large koala and its baby, my smile got a little bigger and my heart was beating a little faster with excitement - and if koalas made out of metal that weren't realistic looking in the slightness could make me this excited, I knew it was only going to get better when I finally got to wrap my arms around the real thing!
The bus ride there felt long as I anxiously awaited to arrive - it was one of those rides where kids ask their parents, 'are we there yet?' hundreds of times just because they can't wait to see what is waiting for them at the other end. Fortunately for the bus driver, I resisted my urge to ask him this question and patiently awaited my stop.
When I finally stepped off the bus and was greeted by a large koala and its baby, my smile got a little bigger and my heart was beating a little faster with excitement - and if koalas made out of metal that weren't realistic looking in the slightness could make me this excited, I knew it was only going to get better when I finally got to wrap my arms around the real thing!
I stumbled across the kangaroos first. Upon walking into the encaged area, I saw two Emus - birds that are so large and unnatural looking, it seems they only forgot to leave the Earth when the dinosaurs did. After attempting to take a selfie with them, I decided that things with beaks make me a little uneasy, especially when their legs are longer than yours, their eyes are looking you up and down as if they are going to make you their next meal, and their claws are attached to massive feet that remind you of a clown. Needless to say, I didn't spend too much time with the Emus - they were left alone to do whatever it is they do to pass their day by, and I got away without beak or claw marks anywhere on me!
I then had my first roo sighting - two little guys asleep in the shade, looking all cute and innocent. After seeing videos and reading stories about boxing kangaroos, I decided it was best to approach them slowly just in case they decided to pull their best moves on me. I figured if the zoo lets you in to the area with not much warning, it was likely safe to go quite close to them - that being said, I also knew I was in Australia, and it seems the safety precautions they take in this part of the world are a little more lax than at home (not a bad thing - the fact that people aren't afraid of being sued every time they turn a corner makes them a little less on edge and more willing to have a little fun! New Zealand worries even less about warning people about any dangers). I got down next to the guy, putting my hand out as if about to pet a dog so he could have a little sniff. He seemed less than interested, and he continued to sleep away the day. He didn't even bother opening his eyes to check out his new visitor. I figured I was in the clear, so I started petting him just to make sure he was real (after all, he was pretty still and I thought these guys liked to hop around in their spare time, so I was starting to wonder if he, too, was made of metal!). Their fur is so soft and they are so cuddly. How do I know? Well, I did the only thing that made sense to me - I laid down next to him, hung my arm over him, and settled in for a cuddle. I was aware that I was getting strange looks from the people around me - perhaps it was because I was a grown woman laying in the dirt with a dress on, maybe it was because I was unusually close to the kangaroo, or maybe it was the fact that I was talking to the Roo I was cuddled up to, but whatever the reason, I was ok with it. I was in my happy place and there wasn't much in life at that point that was going to take me out of it!
After I got myself up from the ground, dusted off the dirt, and finished my conversation with this little roo, I moved on to a bigger pack just hanging out under a tree. There were a few people there attempting to get the perfect picture with one of them, and it was funny to watch. Some were willing to get close, but most kept their distance and let out a little scream whenever the kangaroo twitched or moved an inch. If you saw how 'fast' they were moving, you too would have laughed at these people who were scared of these big furry guys. When all the people slowly left, I moved in for a few pictures. Some of these dudes have such personality and almost seem to pose for pictures as if they are trying to make the centre-fold of the next 'RooBoy' magazine.
I'm not sure how long I spent hanging with the kangaroos. Time flew by and I still didn't want to leave, but I hopped on out knowing that there were still koalas to cuddle. If I had had a collar and leash with me, one of those Roos might have come home with me. I know people here in Australia think they are pests as they like to hop out in front of cars and cause some damage, but with a face like that, it's hard not to fall in love!
On my way to the koalas, I found one of these popular 'how far to home' signs. Realizing home was 15, 309 kilometres away would usually make me feel a little lonely and homesick, but having just come off my high of hanging out with my new pals, I simply took it as a fact, realized I was far from home, and moved on for more cuddles (another sign that animals are what make me 'tick').
On my way to the koalas, I found one of these popular 'how far to home' signs. Realizing home was 15, 309 kilometres away would usually make me feel a little lonely and homesick, but having just come off my high of hanging out with my new pals, I simply took it as a fact, realized I was far from home, and moved on for more cuddles (another sign that animals are what make me 'tick').
Time for the koalas! I'll start out with the bad news - they smell terrible! I'm not sure if it's them or the eucalyptus they eat, but as soon as you walk near where the koalas are, a nasty stench overtakes your nose. I've been told before I have a very sensitive nose, but I think even if you had half the amount of scent detectors, you would have agreed with me that they stink!
Alright, now that we have that out of the way, on with koala cuddles! They aren't as big as I thought they would be, but they are solid - pretty deceivingly heavy. You line up to hold them and are told that you will act as their tree when holding them, so you have to stand steady and strong with both hands under their bum. The workers try to get them balanced on you, but it took them trying to balance three koalas on me before one would cooperate for them. It was quite the process...
Alright, now that we have that out of the way, on with koala cuddles! They aren't as big as I thought they would be, but they are solid - pretty deceivingly heavy. You line up to hold them and are told that you will act as their tree when holding them, so you have to stand steady and strong with both hands under their bum. The workers try to get them balanced on you, but it took them trying to balance three koalas on me before one would cooperate for them. It was quite the process...
All that and more, just to get this...
...and it was all worth it! As you can see, these cute 'bears' have super sharp claws, so although they are lazy, they are able to protect themselves pretty well. So why then are they a threatened species? Because more than 50% of the koala population has chlamydia - yikes!
Despite that, koalas are quite cute to look at and make having a nap look REALLY good. You think I can sleep anywhere? These guys are the pros!
Despite that, koalas are quite cute to look at and make having a nap look REALLY good. You think I can sleep anywhere? These guys are the pros!
Maybe I could get a job teaching here...
I washed my hands after holding the koalas and then got some 'chips' while I waited for them to print my photo. I figured since it was a nice hot day, I'd go outside to eat and enjoy the views around me. Almost immediately after I sat down, I had a friend join me - a huge turkey. He hopped up on the table and started to approach me with the look of hunger in his eyes. I had dropped a fry, so I threw it to him to munch on. Little did I know this turkey can 'gobble' up food like no other, and the taste of one fry left him only wanting more. This ruthless bird started running down the picnic table straight towards me, beak ready to attack and willing to stop at nothing. When he was about 2 inches from my face, I dropped everything I had and ran...that was the last I saw of my fries. I tried to chase him off, but as people stood there and laughed at me, I stood and watched this ferocious animal chow down on my food with no ounce of remorse for what he did to me. I made sure to get a picture of this thief in case he tries to strike again - now I have photo evidence! I spent the rest of the time waiting for my photo, hungry and food-less, and my dislike of things with beaks was growing (first the Emus try to attack during a selfie, now this terrifying turkey attack!).
With an empty belly (mine, not the turkey's!) and koala picture in hand, I continued on to see some more animals. Strike 3 for the guys with beaks came shortly after strike 2. I was trying to take a picture of a bird in a cage, and while doing so, this huge black parrot that I didn't see in the cage with it flew up to me, stuck his beak out, and started squawking at me like he wanted me gone. Anytime I moved, he would squawk a little louder and bite at the cage like a warning for me to get lost, or I was next to be beaked. I was able to get photo evidence of him, too, just in case, and then went far away from him, making a mental note that it was now official: things with beaks are off my 'nice' list, and it will take a lot for them to get back on!
Some beaked boys that were a little more mild-mannered attempted to win my heart back, but didn't have much success. They were still nice to look at and different than what I'm used to seeing flying around in Canada!
There was one odd one that every time people saw the sign explaining what type of bird he was, they broke out in to a song. I'm not sure what type of bird it was, but he 'sat on the old gumtree - merry, merry king of the bush was he.' He laughed...and laughed - but his name is escaping me ;)
[If you don't know the Kookaburra song, that last part won't make sense...and you need to get with the program! I don't have time to teach you about new animals AND all the important songs in life!]
The last stop of the day was the 'Reptiles and Amphibians' area. I contemplated avoiding it, but decided to be brave and make my way in. They ease you into it by starting out with some cool frogs, but that being said, I didn't forget what else was in the dark room with us. The first snake cage I looked in, I couldn't find the snake. That's when I started feeling something climbing up my legs, so I looked down to check if perhaps the snake escaped. I then heard two people laughing at me because they realized what I was doing, and they put me at ease by pointing out where the sneaky snake was hiding. There were the two most venomous snakes in the world in a cage side-by-side, and the only reason I stopped to take a picture was to familiarize myself with what to avoid if I ever come across one. The one guy slithered out of his hiding place when I was taking a picture to come right up to the glass and stick his tongue out at me. This made me believe that what they say (they will only attack if you bug them) isn't really true. I think these guys are hungry for innocent people, and behind thick glass is where I like to see them stay!
It was a great day at the sanctuary, but unfortunately along the way, I think the 'dingo ate my baby'! (it had to be said!). These animals in Australia sure are ruthless! (On a side note: If you ever want entertainment, stand by the dingo cage in Australia and you will hear so many kids talk about dingoes in an accent that makes it impossible not to giggle to yourself.) |
I got back on the bus, this time having to stop half way home because I thought I was going to be sick (too much excitement in a day and public transport through windy roads is not a good combination!). I took a little break at the mall, then got on the train instead to come home. I got stuck in a big downfall of rain, but it made for a nice rainbow to end a perfect day out with animals.
While we all have our own things that make us 'tick', my day at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary made me realize just how much animals are one of those things that bring me a 'high' in my life! I likely won't be owning a bird anytime soon, and you for sure won't see any snakes at my house, but if someone brought me a koala or a kangaroo, it'd be hard to pass up. Another experience and another thing I learned (or confirmed) about myself on this journey.