Bob Dylan and the Melbourne Zoo

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As I was quite anxious to see some Aussie wildlife I found my way to the zoo this weekend. It really is a great zoo, pretty typical animals but the "Australian Bush" is pretty open the animals are free to roam about. However most were pretty sedated and stayed in their own area. I was able to take some good pictures though. I thought this Koala was fairly active as far as koalas go anyway. I found out that Koalas sleep for 20 hours a day. They are the only animal that eats Eucalypts leaves which have a toxin that makes them sleepy. Basically they are just stoned all the time.

I also got to see my very first "little penguins". These are the same type that live on Phillip Island. It is "baby penguin season" which means all the chicks are hatching right now. The zoo has six new ones but we couldn't see them. I'm pretty excited to make it to Phillip Island, but found out there are colonies just south of where I am in St. Kilda. I might make it down there this weekend.


On Sunday I made it to see Maestro Dylan perform at Rod Laver arena. It was good especially for an arena show. My seats were actually very good even though I was in the upper section. I sat next to a Doctor and his family from some small country town about 3.5 hours away. It was interesting to talk about Dylan and other American artists who have played Australia. Dylan was in top form and played a killer set. If you get a chance to see him you should it's the best he's played in several years.

Update on work life. I've been quite busy. I met with the HR director today for my "induction" and got the low down on WHK. I didn't realize it until today, but it is the 5th largest firm in Australia (right behind the big 4). However, the office I'm in just has one partner, three managers (one solely IT), two seniors, two first years or "graduates" and then me. It is the busiest part of their year right now and I've got a full plate of work. I'm working about as much as I do in the states except no Saturday's (but that may change). It's good though, I prefer to be busy than not do anything. I'm working on some "shoe box" audits this week which means the client sends us the information and we sort through it. They are one man jobs and usually take just a few days. Next week I'll be working on the Waste Management Service for the metro area, who's office is just a short walk from where I am living. WHK's office is a 30 min. tram ride from where I am. I love taking public transit to work!

cheers,

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Photos

Melbourne by Day
Picture of the city in the day light

Lion
This is a Lion. They have several and actually started to fight over some bones they were eating. I didn't get it on video but I did hear them roar!

Kangaroo
Yep they got Kangaroo's.

Wambat
This is what a wambat looks like. I hear they will really stuff up your car if you hit one.

Koala
Koala's have no shelter. They stay in trees all day long unless they are moving to another tree.

Alice
This one is named Alice. She was orphaned because a car ran over her mom. She is quite active for a Koala

Penguin
Here's a happy little penguin.

Penguins
It's no Phillip Island but the zoo gave me a taste of what to expect.

Dylan
At his best. Bob Dylan and his band played an incredible show on Sunday.

Comments

[Derek]

Mason, Looks like you are having a great time! The pictures are amazing and that is crazy that you go to see Dylan while you are there...keep up the good posts and I'll see you when you retun. Take care my friend.

[Brad]

nice
Glad to hear about the good times and great entertainment by Dylan....enjoy the shoe boxes