Maggie Island

07/08/14

Left at half 7 today! We ache a lot from yesterday! Backs and arms from hanging on to the boat! Arrived into Townsville at 11ish and went to the tourist information. Seemed like a sweet town and would like to wander but I know we don't have time for that, want to get to Cairns. Paid for our ferry and night in the YHA in Horseshoe Bay. The Irish people at Fraser had told us about this hostel that has it's own wildlife sanctury so that's where we headed. 

The sea was a bit choppy and difficult to walk around the boat. Only 8km off the mainland so didn't take too long. Surprised also that the sea here was very like English sea, murky and sea like compared to yesterday's ocean. Got a bus after the ferry over to Bungalow Bay Kaola Park. Checked in at two and the last tour of the day with a ranger is half past so waited for that to begin. 

So during this two hour zoo visit I held; a turtle, a red tailed black cockatoo called Shadow - put a sunflower seed in my lips and it took it out with a kiss! Really heavy though, kept feeling like I would drop it. Eventually he did fall and landed face down with a crack and lost a feather. He wasn't too keen on someone and wouldn't get on her arm and fell. He was ok though. Then had a laugh at a white cockatoo that was rummaging in a bin called Charlie. She was crazy and excitable and could also talk where as the black one couldn't. Then there was a wombat called Harry who was adorable. He was sleeping because they're nocturnal but the ranger got him out for a photo before he backed his way back to bed. Stroked him too. Then there was freshwater crocs who were lazing. Then out came the lizards which creeped me out. One that looked like a snake with legs, one who's tail looked like it's head and a beared dragon that made me scream as it crawled across my chest. Held a baby saltwater croc which was scary. Was only tiny but still his needle sized teeth would have done a lot of damage. Next was Pebbles the koala!! So cute and soft and squishy enough to want to cuddle and take away. I held a koala!!! And got a photo too. The ranger then got out a carpet snake which me and Laura both passed on holding! Creepy gross thing. After the tour there was lorikeet feeding which was mad. Gave us wet bread to hold and flocks of birds landed in us, landing on my head and arms. They are beautiful colours!