A trip to Philip Island

Sorry no pictures right now.  The hotel we are are staying in does not have internet access so am using an Internet café.

Yesterday we went to Philip Island, some 150kms. southeast of Melbourne on the Bass Strait arm of the Tasman sea.  It was a wonderful trip.  First we went to a chocolate factory.  Well you know me and chocolate.  I had to buy some.  Panny's chocolates was delicious.

Then we went to a Koala reserve.  I know I already had a chance to hold a tame koala at Hamilton Island.  But here we got to see wild Koalas.  There were so many of them.  They sleep 20 hours a day, eat for one and laze around for another three.  But just before you think a koala's life is glamourous, I heard this one disturbing fact.  For the first six months of its life, the koala is at its mothers teat in the pouch. Then for two weeks or so it must eat it's mother's excretions in order to build up enough bacteria in its system to be able to eat the toxic eucalyptis leaves. Yuck.  Also at the reserve we saw wallabies and a spiny ant eater creature.

Then we went off to the range where we saw 20 kangaroos up close.  They were so majestic and powerful.  And no Bugs Bunny fans, I was not reminded of giant mice.

Off we went then to a winery.  After tasting five different delicious wines (actually I only liked three because I don't like reds), we were bound to have a good day no matter what.  It was then off to supper.

Then came the main event.  The penguin viewing.  Each night on the Island hundreds of penguins come on shore in a parade and find their burrows.  These penguins used to be known as fairy penguins but are now called little penguins.  We got great seats on the stands as the penguins timidly climbed ashore.  It was like many nuns coming out of the water. Then we got to take a special walk with a ranger who took us on a walk up the boardwalk so we could see the penguins going up to their burrow.  The noise was deafening as you heard the families of penguins being re-united.  It was truly a magical experience I will not forget.