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Published: August 8th 2007
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Well next on my agenda was Brisbane zoo made famous by Steve Erwin. I went with my uncle and we went on his scooter. I hadn't realised how far away from Brisbane the zoo was but by the time I got there I was pretty sick of my legs being used as windscreen for bugs to die on- ouch.
As you walk into the zoo you walk over a bridge and underneath are two huge salt water crocks. They were pretty amazing to look at but they weren't very active so we immediately moved on to the Koalas. Here you aren't actually aloud to hold them but I wasn't too worried having had my cuddle a few days ago at Lopine. I gave a couple of Koalas a cursory pat and we moved on through to the Kangaroos.
These roos were huge compared with the ones at Lopine, although I'm still not sure they weren't Wallabies. Any way my uncle had fun laughing at me as i very tentatively stroked the kangaroos and backed a mile away if they even blinked at me. After a while of looking at other people petting them i realised I had
little to fear expect the gross smell some of them emitted. After a good stroke and a few pics we took the little train that circled the complex around to the elephants and then round to the crock show happening. This was definitely worth seeing but I was a little sad as I could hear the words that came out the keepers mouth coming strait from Steve Erwins mouth- On this point I have to the one fab things about the zoo was their determination to full fill Steves pledge to make this zoo a worldwide phenomenon, breaking exciting new territory in wildlife and wilderness conservation. The crock demonstration was just amazing especially seeing these huge crocks launching them selves out of the water at the keepers and to watch as they casually dismantled huge carcases and crushed a pigs skull in a matter of seconds. This was proper Australian fun. Ripper!!
The Next day Sarah and I had arranged a 2 day trip to Morton Island, an island near Brisbane. As luck would have it we had to meet at the same spot we met for our bush walk and so again we waited with the rehab group...this
time however, one of them got curious and decided to strike up a conversation with us, which was fun. As soon as our guides arrived we were on our way to the ferry to take us across to Morton and we even managed to see dolphins swimming next to the boat on the way over which was cool. As we arrived on the island I knew I was in love with Brisbane their and then: I had seen beautiful rain forest, amazing animals and now one of the most stunning deserted beaches I've ever seen.
After a bumpy four wheel drive to the campsite to drop our stuff off we endured a bumpier, crazier ride to the shop where we could buy booze for the evening. After that, and lunch made by the the guides, we were lead on a walk around the north of the Island that took in the light house and some very pretty bits of island. We ended up at a place called the champagne pool were the waves would crash over the rocks and unbelievably the result looked like foam from a champagne bottle. Fortunately I just missed getting soaked in a comedy way
when trying to have my photo taken there. One of the highlight of the day- aside from seeing a dolphin come right near the shore- was swimming in the totally fresh water lake on the island. It was amazing, you could drink the water you were swimming in and there were no fish living in there.
After night had set in and we had eaten a superb meal, again all cooked by one of the guides- a few of us went to the beach, carefully navigated in the pitch black- and did a bit of star gazing. it was just the most wonderful of experiences. just quietly lying there listening to the sea and watching shooting stars. One of the guides also introduced us to something called Phosphorescence- found in the sea, as you churn up the water in the dark you can see traces of light, like magnesium ribbon that shine. And after sleeping for a few ours on the beach under that starts I never felt as at one with nature!
The next day involved snorkeling- which was weird as we had to wear wet suits which made you weirdly buoyant, I didn't like it. and
then we progressed onto the sand boarding- or sand sledging- which was totally cool. I came to the conclusion that having done it before helped- as one of the guys ate sand all the way down- bless. After one last beautiful swim in the clear sea to wash off we had lunch and headed home on the ferry. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough- Thanks guys
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