Australia Zoo: Part 1

Last visit we took Evan to Australia Zoo, but left baby Emma at home with Nanna.  This visit, we took both kids.  Janine and Eva came with us again this time, as they had two years ago. I couldn't wait to see Emma pat a kangaroo (given how much she loves patting soft and furry animals!), and I figured Evan may have a different appreciation for the zoo than he did last time.  In many ways he did, but there were many things similar too.  For example, we still referred to the zoo shuttle as a train and he wanted to go on it right away!  He was still most interested in riding the rides (i.e. tea cups) and playing at the playgrounds than seeing the animals, though this time he did take interest in the animals more and he also climbed on a lot of the crocodile sculptures that they have around the park (as opposed to be somewhat afraid of them). 

When we first arrived, Emma and Evan ran over to the little rides at the entrance.  Emma jumped right into Steve Irwin's jeep ride (Evan rode this last time!) while Evan jumped on a small merry-go-round ride.  After that we walked through the alligators and to the first of the big crocodile sculptures.  this was also near the tea cups, so both kids took a ride on them as well.

She's got her hands in the air like she just does not care! (Evan's in the cup behind them with another boy)

We decided to hop on the shuttle "train" right away then, and head to the farthest part of the zoo: Africa.  Last time we went here last and it was so hot in this part of the zoo (not much shade!), so we thought why not start here while it's still somewhat cool and work our way back.  When we arrived the kids saw the giraffes and zebras, then we walked over to Bindi's island (a new feature since our last visit). On that island, there were lemurs out and about, and a huge treehouse that had a few animal exhibits (such as snakes). After climbing to the top of the treehouse, we found a nice spot for a snack. 

These kids loved their juice boxes that Auntie Janine brought for them!

After the island, we walked past the tigers, red panda, and through one kangaroo exhibit (though none were out along the path we took!) to get to the Crocoseum for the mid-day show.  This time, the Irwin family was not there to do the show, nor was the stage that Bindi used to sing and dance on set up anymore.  I suppose she has moved on to bigger things (i.e. DWTS), but the show was still amazing.  Birds and raptors flying over our heads and around the stadium, and then the croc show was still quite impressive.  The kids got a bit antsy by the end, but Evan seemed to be into it and was excited to see the crocs.  Afterward, we got some lunch and the kids climbed on another huge croc sculpture.  Stay tuned for the rest of our day in a forthcoming post!

Look at my little Aussie having fun at Australia Zoo...