February 03, 2006
Today we went to the zoo
We have now embarked on an effort to do all the touristy Melbourne things.......... while we can. We did intend to do the same before we left Amsterdam but somehow ran out of time. Kind of embarassing. "Have you seen x?" "No, we ran out of time, we were there only 5 years". At least I've been to the Rijksmueum, unlike some Dutchmen I know.
My most recent memories of the zoo are of their Twilight Jazz evenings which I used to go to, just over 5 years ago. Now they're added the chance to have breakfast with the animals AND (best of all), the chance to camp out overnight in the Zoo grounds. Now that sounds tempting.
While I've been away they've upgraded the elephant enclosure. The elephants were one of the last of the animals stuck in the old-fashioned enclosures that basically didn't enable them enough space or privacy. Upgrading their enclosure had been on the cards for years and while I was away it happenned. The new enclosure is lovely and and like the other newer areas, doesn't really give the sense of an enclosure at all. Its the humans who are enclosed and guided past the elephants rather than vice-versa. The kitsch Thai elephant-village design is also really nice. I often don't enjoy zoos, seeing animals enclosed isn't very enjoyable but the design of the climatic zones in which the animals are kept seems to really address a lot of the stress animals suffer in these situations. It also adds a real sense of adventure to the day. Or maybe that just shows what a dull life I've been leading?
Jacob was beside himself with happiness at all the real-life bears, lions, elephants and tigers roaming around. But especially the gorillas and monkeys. Wandering through the treetop exhibits he couldn't stop gabbling madly away at every other child he saw (in Dutch). But what rendered him open-mouthed and speechless was the sight of all the butterflies in the butterfly enclosure.
And he didn't wear a nappy ALL day. (Third day in a row....)
Posted by Faith