Brisbane - Australia Zoo

On the way we stop off at the much acclaimed Australia zoo – brainchild of the late Steve ‘crikey look at that stingray’ Irwin. It’s a bit of a disappointment after all the hype, but the enclosures are very spacious with well looked after animals.(cf Vietnam). The tiger’s were very impressive, especially when playing with their young. Intrepid keepers are on hand to ensure the kittens don’t annoy the parents too much, at which point they can get a bit violent. (Why don’t they have keepers for humans too?!). The Crocoseum was a bit ‘happy clappy’ but eventually we were treated to an acrobatic crocodile feeding show and interesting bird display where half the exhibits flew off. We got up close and personal with cassowaries, wombats (giant guinea pigs) and most intriguingly up to 180 year old mating giant tortoises from Galapagos. (I hope I’m still at it when I’m half that age – second thoughts maybe not). One tortoise that had recently died was captured on Darwin’s original trip to the Ecuadorian Islands and had come via London Zoo where she was gawped at in Victorian times.