We packed up the flat and headed up to Toronga Zoo. The Zoo is one of the places that has so far honoured our Access2 card here in Australia. When you arrive to the zoo by ferry (which we did not) you can ride up to the top of the hill that the zoo is on in a gondola. If you like, you can also just take a round trip tour over the zoo in the gondola. That is what we opted to do. While we were up there, Big C announced that he thinks that he is over his fear of heights.
The view from the gondola car shows off the stunning property that the zoo sits on. The backdrop of the Syndey harbour makes this view one of a kind and a definite must-see. We soared overtop the elephants and saw them causally lounging around.
Upon our return to the front gates we were met by some of the many volunteers that are at the zoo. Between the volunteers and the students (they both can be identified by those words on the back of their uniforms) there had to be dozens of people to guide us around and provide history and details on the animals. Here, a friendly lady showed the boys a blue tongue lizard, common to Mudgee.
Here are the boys and their mom showing off just how beautiful the harbour is behind us.
and look, Dave's here too (not only behind the camera). So glad that we picked up the sunglasses before we left. The late summer sun in quite intense.
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| (SJ attempted to photobomb again) |
The reticulated python was immense. Too bad we didn't have a banana handy to give a perspective on this, but this snake is at least 3m long.
The kimodo dragon is one of Big C's favourites. The world's largest lizard is happily on the other side of the glass from our young man. It was particularly interested in our boy.
Over by one of the huge birds (just over Monkey's shoulder) a passerby offered to get a whole family shot. The area that the zoo map suggests everyone start with was congested and crazy. We decided to skip right to section 4 to try to beat the rush. The rest of the day felt much less congested. We made our way back to sections 2 and 3 later in the day.
Big C and Monkey were glad to see a kangaroo mom and her joey inside. Mom was resting and the boys joked about how mommy had never needed to work so hard she needed a nap in the shade like this. Oh, if you only knew how hard momma worked for 10 months with each of you kicking away on the inside :)
Saje posed for a selfie with a napping kaola in the background. They really do look tired and sleepy most of the day, though the boys were quite intrigued when we saw two of them mucking about and playing with one another up in the trees.
The boys as lemurs. We guaranteed them that we'd come back to see the lemur exhibit and playground after the seal show and some lunch.
The first show that we stopped at was the seal show. Daddy recommended that we get into line 20 minutes before the show. The waiting game paid off as we were able to sit right up front.
Right in the splash zone in fact.
We caught a training show. The staff told us how the new seals were learning how to lay down on their backs or on their stomachs for different exams as well as how they used their training to include checkups for teeth and fur. The seals were very well trained and, just like a labrador retreiver, always eager for a treat after any good behaviour.
We were able to capture their oldest and most experienced seals getting aerial for his big finale. It was a great show and the boys were certainly wowed by the seals and their tricks.
We made our way back to the lemur section and scored tickets 5-8 of the 10 ticket final tour of the day! We got to go on an explanatory tour, play on a big play structure and with water redirection, (not sure that they will ever tire of that game). The lemurs were quite happy to hang out in the shade. The guide mentioned that they had worked for three years to get the lemurs to become this comfortable in their habitat at the zoo. The guy next to Monkey, King Julien, was quite the ham.
Here's Big C beside a rather regal looking King Julien.
and then some of the others got a little more active and starting playing around as well.
Our last activity for the day was the bird show. More than a few people had recommended it to us and we were so pleased that they did.
The birds were and swooped in from all angles throughout the show. From small to very large, the birds all hit their cues and swooped, literally, right above our heads. The crows was even asked not to raise their hands during the show! The show featured galahs, parrots, a crane, an owl and even a huge condor at the end.
It was a gorgeous way to spend the day as a family. Here we are as the clouds were starting to roll in for a big thunderstorm.
Much to Saje's delight we passed by the giraffes on the way back to the car.We were all able to see our 'one last thing' before we left and a very complete, yet not exhausting, day.
After checking in to RFW we decided to hit Manly beach. The beach is literally less than 100 steps from the school where we'll be spending the next 4 days. After a quick supper, we wandered down to the beach to take in the surf and the ocean breeze. The boys got right to building an 'indestructible sandcastle' with a stick on top, and then running away from the waves that crashed in. They laughed and played and giggled for at least 45 minutes solid. We had a day full of wonderful memories and smiles.
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