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Published: February 13th 2007
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Boris
Hanging out on the wall (the first time I met him). Had dinner last night with Shintaro, the Princess, and the Boy (AKA Jason). Jason is 18 and just finished high school. University starts next semester. He works part-time as a server at a banquet hall on the weekends, and to fill his time during the week, he's self-taught himself some pretty nifty magic tricks. DAMN HE'S GOOD! He had me in awe. Well done... if only I could figure out a way to become his manager now while his fees are still low. In all seriousness, I was very impressed with his talent. If his parents could hone in on his skill, they'd be able to retire early. I wish I had some pictures but unfortunately, I was too busy trying to figure out how he worked the prestige. Hopefully, when we get back from the coast he'll have learned some new stuff to guinea pig on me. Jason, you will always have an eager assistant in me!
After returning home last night, I had the (dis)pleasure of meeting our resident pet, Boris. Boris is a Huntsman spider who currently resides in the laundry room. The Huntsman spider is not your average arachnoid. As a testament to that, Boris is
Boris
In a new location (day 2). lame... he's lost one of his legs. And he scared the living Bejezus out of me. He's bigger than my palm and a pretty ugly looking creature. Huntsman spiders are (supposedly) friendly and more scared of humans than we are of them. They are nocturnal creatures who feed off of other insects and do not spin webs. Boris appears about every six months and according to Dave, he hasn't seen Boris since he got back to Oz in September. Timing is everything eh? YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. I've been told that Boris sometimes likes to sit on the inside of the toilet. Can you imagine?!?!? Thankfully, he was out of sight this morning. (SHUDDER)
Today was zoo day. I've been looking forward to this for a while. Dave is playing hooky again, but official this time. As per normal recently, it was raining in the morning. But a little water didn't stop us brave souls. Oh no. So onward we trudged, making a quick stop to the BA Training College to pick-up the zoo pass. I'm a celebrity - everyone at Dave's work knew who I was. Kinda flattering isn't it? Especially when you have a dozen hot
Taronga Zoo
Getting up close and personal with the fakeus koalas ursus. firemen ogling you. I love being the one with the accent!!!
From the college, we took the train into Circular Quay and from there transferred onto a ferry that took us directly to Taronga Zoo. The regular price of admission is $32/adult. Totally sweet that we had the pass! FINALLY... kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses. Mind you, these ones are totally tame but still... this is what I've been waiting for! I still haven't pat any kangaroos (I was too chicken to try) and the "koala experience" was a total rip off ($16.95 to hold a koala and get your picture taken). Dave has promised to take me to an interactive kangaroo/koala habitat where I can pat and feed them to my heart's content. As long as I don't run out of food, they get grumpy, and then you read the front page of your local newspaper "Stupid Canadian tourist gets mauled by irate marsupials because she ran out of bread." The day was perfect for the zoo. It wasn't too hot or sunny, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. It is located on the northern shores of Sydney and the backdrop is the city, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge.
Taronga Zoo
I want to pat the kangaroo but... Being a Tuesday and post-school holidays, it wasn't very busy. Unfortunately for us (because we got a late start) it was siesta time at the zoo by the time we got there. Oh well. I did see a very rare, exotic Grizzly bear. OOOOHHHHH, AAAAAAHHHHH...
Closing time at the zoo is 5:00 pm, so we headed back to the city and over to Darling Harbour. There is a hip restaurant in Darling Harbour called Bugalow 8. Every Tuesday is all-you-can-eat mussels for $21.50. The catch, however, is you have to make a reservation for it. And trust me, it's near impossible to reserve. We tried calling last week and were told that they were full. Like DUH... don't you know I'm on holiday and this is the only Tuesday that I can go? Being resourceful, we scammed our way in. It's all about walking like you own the place. Dave did his "I called three weeks ago" schtick and I piped in with "This was supposed to be a special day for us because I just flew in from Canada, and he specifically took the day off work so that we could go to the zoo and eat here
Taronga Zoo
Siesta time! afterwards". No tears needed. The maitre'd was apologetic and we were ushered to a table. Good God. The amount of mussels that they give you is obscene. We started off with a serving of the Thai Green Curry ones, and one serving of the Provencale ones. Thai Green Curry won hands down. Did I mention that they come with hand-cut wedge fries? And crusty baguettes? Round two consisted of one order of Laksa flavour (from Malaysia) and one order of Tom Yum (Thai lemongrass broth). I preferred the Tom Yum. We had every intention of going for round three, but hit the wall. Thanks Bungalow 8 for allowing us to stuff our gullets full of tasty mussels. We felt marginally guilty, but it wasn't busy and we didn't deprive anyone of a table. We'll get over it... in fact we already have!
Gloria Jean's coffee was closed by the time we got around to it (damnit, damnit, damnit). I am now on a mission to get a beverage from there.
Upon arrival at home, I checked the laundry room and screamed like the girl I am. Yes boys and girls, Boris is back with a vengeance, seven legs
Bungalow 8
Mussels... and all. I told Dave that as long as Boris lives in the laundry room, I'm not doing any laundry. Hmmmmm.... perhaps I'm onto something here!
An excellent day all around. And now for an early night. See what happens when you eat too many sugar plums and walk around all day?
Anastasia - all references to the name of my pet and the B-Man are purely coincidental and not meant to offend in any way. Just want to make that clear! LOL
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Yvonne
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Hi Lisa, So happy that you are having a great time in OZ. Did you see any big, fat turtles at the zoo? We are freezing our asses off in TO... the big snow storm is coming overnight. Trying to get the home front organize as our trip to SJU is just around the corner. Can hardly wait to feel the sun on my face and some warmth in my old body!! Your bro and Ilona are coming over for Valentine's dinner tomorrow. Today, at ESL, the students decorated Dad's classroom with the red, festive things and tons of stuff to nibble on (the Koreans also celebrate their new year on Feb. 18). As usual, we got gifts of cakes, chocolates and all the stuff thay are bad for your pa's health. Happy valentine's day to you, love to David and will phone before you go on the big road trip.....much love, Mom and Dad.