Koala Cuddles

    The kids, Mia in particular, have been asking to get to hold a koala since we arrived in Oz.  There are "Koala Encounters" advertised at the zoo and various other wildlife parks which seem to entail petting and getting close to koalas.  Hamilton Island has a small wildlife park that included the chance to have a "Koala Cuddle."  We checked this out and it turns out that Queensland is the only state in Australia in which it is legal to hold a koala.  It's very regulated; the cute little buggers can only be held for 30 minutes a day, no more than 3 days in a row and never for more than 180 minutes per week.  The koala keeper said that the koalas love to be held.  When they open the enclosure in the morning, they are forced to juggle three koalas at a time since they all want to be held.  They are so sedate and seem truly sweet tempered.  The keeper also said that on occasion the koalas will not like someone and will refuse to go to them to be held.  A bit awkward!  This is the same place where Oprah recently visited and held "Elvis."  (No way not to know this as there are photos all over!) These are northern koalas and therefore are smaller (6-8 kg) with less fluffy coats than the koalas found in southern regions (10-14 kg).  The kids were delighted!



Mia and Waldo.  So sweet.  He eventually put his head on her shoulder and shut his eyes. 




Sam enjoyed this but was equally eager to cuddle a snake.  Ugh.

   The other wildlife of note on Hamilton Island were the Rainbow Lorikeets.  They were particularly bold here, no doubt due to being fed by hoards of tourists.  They have to be the most beautiful "nuisance" bird anywhere.



Despite numerous hands protecting our snacks, they just kept coming...




And climbing.

    Back to Sydney to our "wildlife."