Crikey!!! It has
been a LONG time since I last posted and so much has happened! I will split
this blog up and just write about our visit to Australia Zoo a couple of weeks
ago, on January 16th.
Brad, Hana, Eoin
and I took a day to go to Australia Zoo, about an hour out of Brisbane. It was
a GREAT day – very warm – but the zoo was really interesting with lots of
hands-on opportunities with the animals which were right up the kids’ alley!
Upon entry to the zoo, we were met by a zoo keeper who had a small American
alligator we could hold if we wished. Eoin and I took turns holding the little
guy, supporting his tummy which felt cool and soft. As we continued, we saw
giant tortoises, kimono dragons and LOTS of crocodiles with information on
conservation efforts. We took in the sights at a show featuring a number of
birds and animals including a massive crocodile called Murray (or as Hana
remembered him being called; Marr-eh!). The speed of the crocodile in the water
and the power of him completely freaked Brad out! He is planning on staying
well-back from any water when we head north later this year!
We had the
opportunity to get close to wallabies - Hana and Eoin fed and pet them, koalas –
we were able to pet Portia and get up close to many super-cute and zonked-out
koalas, and kangaroos who were super-mellow and very, very soft! We were also
able to feed the zoo’s three elephants at the public feeding. We lined up and
fed the elephants until their buckets were emptied… Eoin must have fed them at
least ten times! One of the elephants ate carrots and yams, another ate
cantaloupe and the third was given apples and bananas but would put the bananas
to the side and eat only the apples – it was funny (and interesting) to see how
she navigated this with her trunk!
Eoin pretty much
fell in love with every animal/creature he came across and has now decided to
add kangaroos to his list of favourite animals. Hana really loved being able to
get so close to the koalas.
We returned to
Brisbane and were excited to see my Uncle Bren and Auntie Jan as they got back
from their holidays. It was nice to have time with them as well as Paul and
Cara and Ronan. We spent time with Cara and Ronan at the pool at their place
and they hosted supper one evening. Eoin had a guys’ night with Paul – they
headed to the arcade then made a pit-stop for ice cream where they saw Wally
Lewis, a rugby league superstar and Queenslander whose statue is in front of
Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Bren and Jan brought us to some great beaches and
we took an afternoon to drive around Brisbane and check out local venues and
lookouts. The best part of our time in Brisbane was all the time we had with
family. It was so great for us to have Cara and Ronan meet Hana and Eoin and
for us to finally meet Ronan. We had some good times with Paul and lots of
visits with Bren and Jan which were great for all of us. We were able to met
Jan’s mom – who we called Nan – and had a fun afternoon with her! We had a
wonderful supper our last night in Brisbane. Everyone was there and we had good
visits and laughs and Eoin, Paul and Ronan even had a pass around of the rugby
ball after supper.
Leaving Brisbane
was sad as it meant we were leaving behind family again but we realize how
lucky we are to have some family here and we know we will have more time together
this year! The kids loved having another set grandparents during our visit in
Brisbane and for our year here!
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