First Excursion

Yes, it is a kangaroo on the beach.  We took a three day trip 5 hours north to Makay area.  At Cape Hillsbourgh State Park kangaroos and wallabys at the crack of dawn come to search for mangrove seeds that the tide brings in.  It was actually worth it just for the Sunrise.  There were about 6 wallabys and 2 kangaroos but it was obvious that they are used to having people come and stare at them.  The park service actually feeds them to keep them coming all year round.  It has become a great tourist attaction. We went with another Senior couple from our district who are from Teton, Idaho.  We walked along the beach and lookes for shells. We decided that since it was half way through our mission we had earned a small trip.  It was very nice. We also went to a sugar cane factory and learned how sugar cane is turned into sugar.  It was interesting. It is already starting to get warmer. The nights are still cool but each week we get more 80 degree days and once in awhile a 90 degree day.  I am not looking forward to summer but it is what it is. I wish I could transport each of you here for a day and let you see with your own eyes.

 The best part of the trip was going to a family owned farm where they have many of Australia's animals. The nice thing about this place was that the price was a little high but you got to spend time and hold all of the animals. Dave and I both enjoyed holding snakes, (nonpoisonous), skinks, lizards,  baby crocadiles, snakes and of course a koala. And siting by a wombat.  The koala was so soft. They sleep upto 18 hours a day because the eucalyptus leaves they eat are not very nutritious and take a long time to digest.

We got to feed a cassowary.  It is a very big bird like the emu but is much more dangerous. They have grumpy personalities and some huge feet with claws.  They can jump 12 feet high but luckily not forward which keeps them in the fenced area. In the wild they can be dangerous. A lot of animals are dangerous but we are not likely to meet any of them. However people with yards do have to be wary and members of the ward have seen some of the really poisonous snakes n there own back yards.

We also rode in a truck and went to see some of their salt water crocs. They are called salt water not because they can live only in salt water but because their skin can secreet excess salt.  The biggest officially verified crocodile was Lolong, a saltwater crocodile measuring 6.17 meters (20.24 feet) long and weighing 1,075 kg (2,370 lb). They had a crocodile that was over six meters. (18 feet) I don't know how to explain to you how long that is. They love merky water and you can't see them until they come out of the water. When he came out of the water I was blown away. My first thought was that he was as big as a dinosaur and he looked prehistoric. This did not help my fear of deep merky water. LOL. It was a great experience.  We took pictures but you just can't comprehend how big they are unless you see them in person. That is about 2 1/2 times as longer than a queen or king size bed.

It was nice to be able to relax a few days.

I don't know if we will take any more trips as this is not why we came here but we will definately go to see the great barrier reef before we come home.  We also plan on going to New Zealand as this is where Dave served his young mission.

The work continues on.  We are greatful to play a small part in the gathering of Israel.  It is a great joy to see converts grow and change after baptism.

We still enjoy serving with the Sister Missionaries and helping teach lessons. And of course cooking and baking.

Love you all.