Taronga Zoo, Harbour at night and Dining in China Town - 18th May

Trish has had her heart set on going to Taronga Zoo and in particular seeing the gorillas. As it turned out I'm glad she did. Our usual old folks tickets for $2.50 all day got us into the city by train then over to Circular Quay and the Ferry to Taronga. Prices for the zoo seem rather high at $44 an adult or in our case $31.50 for concession. A really expensive day out for families. Somehow we fluked it and even though it was a week after Mothers' Day Trish as a Mother got in for free so it only cost $31.50 to get in.

There are a lot of special shows and keeper talks going on all day and we particularly wanted to go to the Free Flight Bird show as well as the Seal Show. The Free Flight Bird show was amazing, done out in the open there were birds of all varieties flying to the commands of the trainers. All sorts from large 2m wing span Cranes and Condors to Owls, Falcons, Eagles, Black Cockatoos, Pink and Grey Galahs and Pigeons. The birds were trained to fly very low over the crowd, that low that you would feel the wind from their wings. Trish even ducked as she came face to face with an Owl flying directly at her. We had been told that it was no good ducking as they are trained to go low and the lower you go the lower they go. A spectacular show and made us realize why the entry fee was fairly high.

The animal exhibits were outstanding and I had to drag Trish away from the Gorillas and later the Platypus. Then there was the Seal show, I was too busy watching to try to take any photos. It was so entertaining and informative about the different species and their conservation. The last species I observed during the day was a female "Giftshopperist". Trish sure loves those gift shops but she is very driven by remembering everyone's birthdays and finding that special gift to send home so I shouldn't complain. ( Even if I actually do! ) I sit or stand with all the other husbands in waiting and we stare knowingly at each other, words are not needed.

Once again they had to kick us out for closing time.

I had promised Trish a Cruise on the Harbour after dark and a romantic dinner. After arriving back at Circular Quay we watched the sun go down over the Opera house and Harbour Bridge while feasting on Italian gelato. Then the cruise courtesy of our $2.50 all day tickets when we boarded a Ferry that goes under the Harbour Bridge and around to Darling Harbour. The city lights, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are beautiful at night. I won a few brownie points with that move. A stroll through Darling Harbour to China Town for a food hall meal rounded out the night. We tried to explain to two Americans on the ferry what a food hall was. They were complaining about the price of meals, well we had two hot and spicy dishes ( particularly after Trish insisted to the Thai woman that she wanted her meal as hot as what they do for themselves ) and two beers for around $30. Ready in minutes and so delicious, who needs all the fancy restaurants in Darling Harbour.

By now it was getting way past old peoples bed time so we trained it home, walked the last KM to the Caravan Park and snuggled into our cosy tent. SIGH ! !

Mr Intrepid