18 Feb - Touring Sydney Day 2

Main aim for the second day in Sydney was the Taronga Zoo. I wasn't sure how jiggy I was going to the zoo because I kind of thought the point of zoos was to see animals from all over the world. In other words, hadn't I already seen a bunch of Australian animals? However, the zoo expectation was everywhere and even a gruff New Yorker we met on Milford Sound said in a very heavy accent, "I'm not a zoo guy, but you's guys need to go to that zoo."

Turns out it was an outstanding zoo and you see a ton of Australian animals you'll probably never see anywhere else (I guess all these other zoos have been ripping us off).

The zoo was on the other side of the harbor and you take a ferry to the zoo terminal. Then a gondola up into the zoo. Very nice.

Getting underway from Circular Quay again

Looking down from the gondola over the zoo ferry terminal towards the city

Since you're in Australia there are certain 'must sees' when it comes to fauna. At the top of the cute and cuddly is the koala and you'd better not just see a koala, you need to have a koala experience. In New South Wales you can't touch a koala, although you can in other states (in fact I have a buddy who redid his whole Australia itinerary so his wife and daughter could hold one), but you can still get close and spend some time with the animals.

So we booked the "Koala Encouter" and got about 20 minutes near a couple of animals and some one on one time with a keeper. Experience was very informative and the keeper was a nice enough guy who didn't mind reciting all we know about koalas - low energy state, eucalyptus, endangered. Pretty much if these things weren't cute they would be extinct. Anyway, enough on koalas here's the pictures.

Photogenic - not so much (I'm talking about the koala)

One of them did finally stir a bit and take a look around

This is a fascinating bird I thought only existed in dinosaur books. I do not recall what it is called. They had one not in any enclosure as well. You came around a bend on the path and he was just standing there. It is not something you feel inclined to pet.

And you have to see the kangaroos..

..and the little wallaby guys

Platypi and wombats are nocturnal; I couldn't get a picture so this is a reminder we saw them. However, the platypus was pretty neat. Real small and was housed in an aquarium. And who knew they had venomous spines on their feet? We also saw a Tasmanian Devil. Tasmania is in Australia in case you were unaware.

Not a local species, but the snow leopards were pretty cool

Boys scored some new stuffed animals of course

Looking down from the sea lion exhibit over Sydney Harbour

After the zoo we were fairly tuckered and headed back to the hotels. Mom and Dad had a farewell dinner and we left a bit latter to find food and work a way to meet up somewhere in the Darling Harbour area.

We decided to press straight to Darling Harbour which is an awesome pedestrian plaza full of shops and restaurants. As Mom and Dad dined on fresh caught kangaroo at some five-star joint we went to the food court and then took the kids to this fountain to play.




As night fell Mom and Dad made their way over. We did some last second souvenir hunting and headed back to the hotel to get ready for our journey home.

As I feared this post ended up with too many animals and not enough family. Might have to ask Mom and Dad for their pictures from this day.