Wind in my face on the Brisbane River. Owl wing brushing my hair. Walking amongst kangaroos and wallabies. Hearing the wild laugh of kookaburras. Smiling at koalas snoozing in the crook of a tree. Marveling at the imaginary-looking cassowary.
That was just some of today. A 90-minute cruise on the Miramar took us to Lone Pine Sanctuary, certainly one of the few places where you can see so many of Australia’s creatures in one visit.
Here in the state of Queensland, the law still allows people to hold Koalas. In was annoying, though, that at Lone Pine, you can only have a picture of the moment if you pay for a ticket. I’m too cheap for that. I suppose that’s one way of protecting the animals from too much handling. There’s also a strict rotation, so that no koala is held more than a total of 30 minutes in one day, with every 4th day off. Kate held one and reported that it is very soft, but smells. (Kate and Josh Etter of Desiring God are traveling with us.)
Perhaps the most amazing animal was the cassowary. I don’t believe I’d ever seen one and certainly couldn’t have told you it looks
like a child’s colorful drawing of a cross between an emu and a dinosaur. An armor-plate crest on its head. A beak that could swipe off a finger in a single blow. Wrinkled-leather toes ending in dinosaur claw toes. And taller than a tall man when it stands. I can see why it has the reputation of being the most dangerous bird to humans–a far cry from the chickadees on my bird feeder at home.
And owl wings brushing my hair? That was during the Birds of Prey program. One owl swoops low over the audience, back and forth, very close. Very close.
Oh yes, another thing I hadn’t known. Apparently joeys rest quite comfortably head first in their mothers’ pouches–feet, tail, and ear hanging out.
________
Miscellany . . .
Re coffee:
Since one of you recommended ordering coffee wherever possible, Kate and I got right on that, even before we left the Sydney airport. We discovered it’s a different language here–and me still not knowing how to speak coffee in America.
Flat white is coffee with milk in it. You ask for a long black when you want a cup of plain black coffee. Long has nothing to do with the size of the container. You still have to know about grande and whatever. I think long means there’s a longer pouring of coffee, since it’s all coffee and no room for milk.
“Flat white. Is that like a latte?” Kate asked. “Yeah, probably,” our language consultant replied, “But hey! I’m a bloke. I don’t want latte,” he sneered. ”My order is a skinny flat white.” That’s flat white with skim milk. Why flat? I don’t know.
Another travel lesson learned:
Make sure the camera battery charger I pack is the one for my battery, not Johnny’s.
Mystery prize update:
Now you can throw your name in the pot for the mystery prize another time, IF you comment at this post and tell me how you’ve let someone else know about Tell Me When to Pack. You can do it via Facebook, Twitter, Email, phone, face to face, or whatever.
Hi Noel! Great photos. I don’t need to go into the draw (I’m Australian), but I have done some tweeting and facebooking (nonesense verb!). It’s fun to keep track of you. Nice to see you’re enjoying a Queensland Winter!
I retweeted you just this morning, about 30 mins before I read this. : ) LOVE all the pics. The Cassowary is one strange looking dude, before your blog I had never even heard of one.
Hi Noel. Glad you’re enjoying the beautiful city of Brisbane, and that John was able to spend some good time with Bruce today. And of course that you accepted our invitation to come on this trip!
Maybe it’s a “flat white” because the milk isn’t frothed? What do they call cappuccinos?
We call them Cappucinos
That Joey peeking out looks so cute. He looks so soft. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. Just yesterday I emailed my husband your link and told him he should subscribe too. I love the pictures so far. Keep ‘em coming!
Thanks for the update! I need this smile today (and another tall white skinny) since we have been up to naughty boy tricks at my house. I will link over at US later and let my readers know what you are up to….
keep the photos coming as long as the battery lasts!
Ms. Noel enjoying ur visit and adventures with a heart smile! I will use the coffee term , luv the stuff. Always amazed at Gods creation , zoo trip on my b day? Puuurfect!
Linked to your blog on Facebook! Thanks
Sounds like your trip is off to a wonderful start! I shared about your trip and blog with friends on FB.
You are now on my Facebook!!! Your family has the BEST blogs. If I lived there I swear I’d be BFF with Abraham and Molly. I can’t imagine my entire family blogging. It would be a disaster. Anyways, glad your trip was a success.
Forwarding a link to a blog friend who spent a year in Queensland in high school.
And I concur with the others who note “flat” as meaning “without foam”. In general, we (meaning Aussies) use “flat” to mean “not fizzy”.
I enjoyed reading your post. I have shared a link to your blog on my blog.
Have a happy day! God bless!
~Hannah~
I am so glad that I have discovered your blog! For our discipleship class in our church in Melaka, we are doing Desiring God-enjoying it so much and challenged too! I have emailed my daughter in Adelaide about Tell Me When To Pack.God bless you n John with a wonderful time!
Isn’t there some animal similar to the kangaroo but called something else? Is it smaller?
A wallaby (there are different types). They jump the same way, carry their young in pouches etc.
I would be drinking Hot Tea -not coffee – but have loved learning about coffee drinks there!
Shared this post via facebook.
And tweeted.
Okay, this mystery prize has me mystified!
I shared this on facebook!
I’ve told my husband about your blog, face to face, however, his ADHD has not allowed him to make it here just yet! ; )
I just shared your blog on my wall!
Oh good! You got to see all the animals! I did not realize the cassowary was such a unique part of creation. And I will be sharing the blog on Facebook.
I have spread the word with my friends and on Facebook. Great blog, Noel!
This is my second comment. I entered my e-mail address incorrectly the first time. I am following you by subscription which puts you on my Google Reader page. From Google Reader, it is easy to forward your post by e-mail. I did send a post to my friend & former co-worker who has been to Australia before. (Her husband won the trip as a reward for sales volume in his work.) Also, her father is a Episcopalian priest in New Zealand. Since my first comment was probably not traceable, I thought a nice gift would be note cards depicting birds or butterflies of Australia.
This is my third post. Thank you for this opportunity. If I were on such a wonderful trip, I don’t know if I would be wanting to take the time to keep up a blog. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed your pictures. Oh, and the recipe for ANZAC.
…sent to my sister!
Have not learned how to share this on Facebook yet… But I did forward your blog to my DDH friends (Developing A Discerning Heart)….
Wishing y’all a great trip!
Mrs. Piper,
I am completely enjoying your blog (I read both) on your travel to Australia. I have always wanted to go so feel as though I am learning tidbits about a place I have always wanted to visit. God bless you on your journey!
Brenda Lester
I am truely enjoying your blog – the pictures are fabulous and your writing makes me feel like I’m traveling along with you and John.
I want to enter the mystery gift draw……………….do you mail to Brazil?
Also, I want to contact Julie L. Does she have any tips for dealing with ADHD husbands? I have been doing it for 45 years so should know enough, but am still learning to adapt. The neurologist said I am an auxiliary frontal lobe, but unfortunately for both of us, I am getting old too. I need help to keep my frontal lobe functioning. So Julie, do you have a blog?
Hi! I told my boyfriend about your blog and how excited I was to read more of your thoughts and writings! It was face to face, however, as I don’t use Facebook anymore, tweet or any of the social media things!
I told my husband about this blog as soon as I signed up. He’s afraid I’m going to bug him about going to Australia now.
Posting to my Facebook wall to let all my friends know–there’s a few busy girls I’ll point it out to by mouth too
love the pics & being a coffee freak I found that all quite funny!
I went to a conference in Kansas City last week, and shared your blog with my room mate, as we both waited for our flights to leave last Saturday. We were both shocked about your comment on the airline charging for a pop. Anyway, awesome blog! Thanks for sharing, and letting us in on your experiences.
And I also loved the cassowary when I went to Myanmar last summer. I had never seen anything like it, and they were just so fun to watch!
Am going to email my friends in Nigeria to tell them about the adorable pic of you and the kangaroo. Quite tame, they are…….I want to rustle the ears of the kangaroo and feel its’ fur. Thanks for your wonderful blogging!
Well, I haven’t told anyone about Tell Me When to Pack, yet, but I did want to comment on the Cassowary. I saw one a the Zoo in Melbourne, FL. It was my first experience with such a creature. Needless to say, I was definitely boggled by it’s dino-bird like qualities. God is so cool! I also came in contact with an anteater that day as well, I don’t think I had seen one until that day. It was beautiful!
What a wonderful Maker!