A trip to the Zoo
“Daddy's gonna take us to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow...”
"Look at the lemurs!" Tom exclaimed in excitement before darting back to the edge of the enclosure. The rest of us followed at a more leisurely pace, to where we could see the cute, furry animals. They were standing on their hind legs their short front paws dangling beside their chests as they sunned themselves.
Soon Tom was leading the way to the next enclosure. “I'd like to see the elephants!” Ella requested in anticipation. Her mum reassured her that we'd get there later. Around the first loop of Melbourne zoo we followed the slightly older and more energetic Tom. On our tour we watched seals playfully diving up and down their wave pool. When the waves crashed against the edge of the tank I could smell the fishy water. The sound of exotic birds squawking, came from somewhere close by.
We'd heard the zoo was one of the top attractions in Melbourne, but our two young guides were what really brought it to life. After a timid hello, hiding behind mum and dad (Anita and Mike) they soon befriended Sophie, Aaron and I. They were enamoured with “cousin Sophie” who was often called to witness something “amazing!” It was wonderful to see their young eagerness and enthusiasm. I wished I could still find a zoo so exciting ... it would save a lot of danger and expense if adults didn't feel the need to go white-water kayaking and skydiving in order to get an adrenaline rush! However as it approached lunchtime the kids energy drained visibly and they were in need of rest and nourishment. Suddenly being an adult and not having such fluctuating highs and lows was more appealing again.
After a refreshing lunch we bounded on to more adventures around the zoo. Aaron and Tom stalked some wild toilets! Then we all enjoyed the baby elephants trumpeting. When we left the zoo Mike and Anita kindly invited us all to dinner at a sumptuous restaurant on the coast. Before dinner Mike and Anita drove home and the little ones slept soundly in the back of the car. Likewise, Aaron, Sophie and I couldn't resist a brief doze on the train. Funny ... I guess there are some things you don't grow out of!
26-June-2011
“We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo,
You can come too, too, too,
We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo”
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