Billabong

Perhaps one of my favorite days here so far was yesterday at the Billabong Sanctuary.

Its definitely a hot tourist spot (naturally, I fit right in). I went with 3 of my friends around 8 or 9 am. The sanctuary was absolutely empty! There were really funny looking birds that came up to us since they're used to everyone feeding them. Sorry to say we teased them a bit because we didn't have food, but they didn't know that. We then stopped off to see some koalas - definitely cute, definitely sleepy. Then I found some roos that were literally "just chillin" on the side in some mulch. I wanted to pet one so badly, but when I tried a little it flinched and I jumped back. We later realized that they're all over the place and will actually come up to you (because they're used to it - haha don't try this at home folks) so there was no need for the apprehension.

We walked around the rest of the park and saw a lot of birds and snakes, lizards and other mammals. One of my favorites were the pademelons (above) - cute little rodent/kangaroo like creatures. The pads on their hands are extremely thick, so it feels funny when they grab your fingertips looking for food in the palms of your hands. I had a hard time obeying the "Please don't pick the Pademelons up" sign.

It was really interesting watching them and the roos/wallabies walk around. I knew they used their tails for balance, but man! when you touch their tail its PURE muscle. They use their front legs and the tail as a tripod as they advance their hind legs, then stretch out their extremely skinny arms for support again. Its really interesting to me and I really wish I was EEC instead of CMB back in the states.

Anyway - back to being SuperTourist that I am, I paid a bit of money and got to hold a koala and wombat. That was right up there with holding a croc, black headed python, a skink (my cousin had bigger ones though..), and seeing crocs being fed, and walking through the aviary.

I applied to volunteer here, but they aren't taking anyone until August. Figures. Amazing place with lots of animals is booked. I'm going to try and work at the RSPCA though, and they have wildlife as well as cats/dogs/other pets. I really want to work with or around animals while I'm here. Not only for the "looks good on the resume" aspect, but because it makes me feel better. I like doing something that has nothing to do with work or art - something just plain enjoyable. I may not get to cuddle with every animal, but its definitely something I want to do - no matter where I am. Verification of my future job? Yes. Definitely.