May 12, 2005
Today eating breakfast I considered myself the top of the food chain until I went to Taronga Zoo. Taking a ferry across the harbour to a small cove we ascended a small hill to reach a destination I would never forget. What seemed like a mellow place turned into havoc once we viewed the lions. Three lions came out from their cages; no problems. We gazed from behind a thick glass wall to observe these magnificent creatures. Then all of a sudden the head male lion or shall I say KING came storming toward the glass wall to let us know that he was in charge. I am pretty sure if that wall wasn't there we would be realigning the food chain with humans being a close second!
This was just one incident. The next came when we viewed the gorillas. There was one big area where a silver back gorilla and his three wives and children lived. Adjacent to this area was an enclosed area for the older sons of the dominant silver back gorilla. Again, the same tactic that was used by the lions earlier was used by the gorillas. They must be coercing! Anyway, there were two silver back young adult male gorillas in this enclosed habitat. Everything was fine and dandy until one of the gorillas decided to run directly at the glass wall to attack Coach Wilhoit. Just about everyone screamed and jumped back two feet. We were able to get live footage of it on Jevay's camcorder. Despite the fright, meeting the lions and gorillas will be forever memorable.
The interesting thing about this trip to the zoo is that Australia's unique animals like the kangaroo; wombat, wallaby, koala etc were vastly different from the gorillas and lions. When I went to see the kangaroo, wallaby, and koala it seemed as though they were on some sort of depressant. I know the koalas were chopping on eucalyptus leaves, which has traces of opium so that was their excuse. However, the kangaroos and wallabies seemed bored. Maybe if that glass wall was between me and the kangaroos and wallabies they might have reacted differently. I don't know really, but what I do know is that my time spent at the zoo was well worth it. The last time I was at a zoo was when I was really young. Being able to see Australia's wildlife as well as exotic animals around the world was time well spent with my team.
Following the zoo adventure we took the ferry back to Circular Quay to have lunch and then walk to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Both my sister and I immediately went over to the nearest concession stand to buy sausage rolls and meat pies, which were recommended by our Australian friend back home. I devoured both the sausage roll and meat pie and decided that the sausage roll was far better especially when dipped into ketchup. After inhaling my food I couldn't help but find where these beautiful sounds of music were coming from. I found three Aboriginal men singing and making neat sounds through this long, hallow, and wood-like horns. To make a long story short I bought their CD because I was extremely impressed by the way they made music.
Heading down Macquarie Street we passed the botanical gardens, Parliament House, and The Mint until we finally reached the museum. Learning that Australia was a penal colony it made sense to see how the first inhabitants, which sadly had to be prisoners, lived. It was incredible to see the rows of hammocks lined tightly together. I can only imagine how close these prisoners came to touching each other's noses when turning over in bed. Seeing all of the old artifacts, reading the prisoners stories, and getting the general history behind Australia and its penal system allowed me to be even more immersed into their culture.
- Rachael
