Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland-adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef. It is considered the unofficial capital of North Queeensland. It is known for it's fine coastal surfing beaches and inland, some of the richest farming land in Australia- we are talking beef and sugar cane. And again gold helped build this region as well. Also know as the southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This area is also known as the Sunshine Coast boasting on average 300 sunny days a year.
BILLABONG SANCTUARY
They suffered major damage from Cyclone Yasi/Feb and is closed to the public for now but were kind enough to open them for us. This 25 acres of natural tropical North Queeensland bush is home to all kinds of native mammals, birds and reptiles. It was sad to see the decimated sanctuary and they told us having us visit really lifted their spirits and morale. So Bubba what's the difference between a Cyclone and a Hurricane? The Hurricane spins clockwise and the Cyclone spins counter clock wise.
Feeding the Kangaroos was a lot of fun! This marsupial, from the macropodidae-meaning large foot, is endemic to Australia. They are not farmed but shot for meat, leather hides, sport and to protect cattle. This national symbol of Australia are fun to play with at the Sanctuary. Pleep convinced the ranger that it was ok to have a ride in the Pouch. Move over Joey, the Pleepmeister is here!
We are talking a laid back wombat-raised at the sanctuary. Another marsupial-short legged and muscular. The name comes from the Aboriginal community. They have a backward pouch which comes in handy when digging, no dirt covers the young. It takes them 14 days to digest their chow- now we understand why they move oh so slowly. No eat and run here!
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| A resemblance? |
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| Visions of a handbag. |
Our ranger Rocs the Croc! Mainly ambush hunters. Pleep heard croc embryos do not have sex hormones and unlike humans, their sex is not determined genetically. It is determined by temperature, with females being slightly hotter/higher. He was happy to hear that the males do grow bigger than the ladies. Pleep heard we have a few Crocs in Florida and felt it necessary that he purchase a Crocodile Dundee hat to authenticate his Australian experience.
BATTERED AND BRUISED BUT BOUNCING BACK
www.billabongsancturary.com.au
DINNER IS SERVED
Pleep enjoys his evening glass of Champagne. He is developing quite the palate thanks to Larry and John's tutelage. " Oh joy" said Bubba, "one more expensive habit for the Pleepster, just what I need.
Thank God he hasn't found the spa."
Another great meal at Prime 7 with the gang- the Andersons from Houston and the Jones from Toronto. With Boca's back ailment she has excused herself from the daily exercise the others do. Pajama strings loosened as a result of the delicious chow and libations. Some say she is milking this "ailment". Imagine that. It is fun to share the various excursions we did during the day- some went to the Aquarium, some walked the meticulously groomed Strand, some The Billabong and some to Magnetic Island...Pleep tried to convince us the reason he was late getting back to the ship that he was locked in a MAGNETIC GRIP and wasn't released with the rest of the guests....we heard he found the Coconut Bar on the Beach....that darn Monkey-specialises in Mayhem.
