Fast Friends and Fun Times

It is hard to believe that a month has gone by since we met our new friends. Bridget, Marin and Nick.   Just about 30 days ago, we were waiting for the bus and they were looking for the right bus to Bondi Beach. I recognized their American accents, they asked where to get the bus, we exchanged (well, sort of ) phone numbers and that began our short, but wonderful friendship. We met in the park to play,  drank tasty drinks at Starbucks, visited a museum, had a play date at our apartment and today, for our last hurrah, we went back to Featherdale Wildlife Park.  This was our third visit, but the first visit for our friends.

We boarded a train in downtown Sydney and after a few platform changes, we finally got on the right train to Doonside, NSW.  The train ride was uneventful- the kids ate a lot of Goldfish crackers and celery (a favorite of Nick's), played a bit while Bridget and I chatted.  Once in Doonside we waited for an eternity for a bus that didn't exist- or so we were told, but not really sure about because the bus driver we did meet was a real bleep-bleep-bleep. While waiting, we saw the first spider we have seen since we arrived. It is called a Golden Web Orb spider and it is about the size of my hand- maybe a bit smaller. According to my web search it is not a dangerous spider just big and it builds a super strong web that can even trap a bird!  Here is a snapshot.

Golden Web Orb Spider

We finally just called a taxi. We got to the park and had an amazing time looking at all the animals, feeding them and petting them.  Each time we have visited this park, we have discovered new and interesting things.  I have to admit too, that this is the first time I have really paid close attention to the birds at a wildlife park. I tend to cruise past them (and the reptiles to be honest) and focus more on the other creatures.  It was like a whole new world was opened up to me!  Here is some of what we saw:

Magpie Goose which bit Tucker- twice

Not sure....

Albino Kookaburra

Coop petting a kookaburra

so sweet

A kookaburra eating a dead bird- gross!

Last time we were at this park, the female dingo was pregnant. Well, the cubs were born last month. There were eight of them. One boy and seven girls.  All but three had already been delivered to other wildlife parks/zoos so there were only three left, but we got to pet them! They were incredibly soft and gentle.  We also got to watch them nurse their mother.  She looked plum tuckered out!  I think nursing one was hard- try eight!  Whoa!  This was definitely a high-light of our visit.

Tucker actually noticed the kangaroos and wallabies this time. Last time he was oblivious! He petted them and tried to feed them, but mostly he liked to point out their poop and play in their food bowl. Oh, he also did some cleaning up-- he took the emtpy ice cream cones that the food comes in and piled them up for the kangaroos to eat. Very cute, very gross, very dirty, but hey, he had fun!  He also followed them around saying, "Hi."  He liked the petting zoo. He petted the cows, sheep and goats. He actually got really mad at one goat who dared to put his face in the stroller. Tucker turned to the goat and shook his finger and said, NO!" then crossed his arms and gave the goat a mean look. So funny.

Cooper, Nick and Marin had a blast. They ran circles around the Tasmanian Devil's display, chased chickens in the petting zoo, petted every creature they could and collected as many stamps possible for each exhibit they visited.  Cooper even had a "talk" with the emus about their behavior and how they need to make a change and not be so naughty....

Coop "talking" with the emus about their behavior

After a wonderful and full day, we headed back to the city and parted ways. Saturday our new friends leave for a month in Singapore.  We are so sad to see them go.  It has been so nice to share some of our days and experiences here with them. They will be missed!  Who knows, maybe one day we will see them again-- here, there or in the states. I hope....