Missy & Savanna

Hi, this is Savanna:)
Today was packed full of exciting adventures–much like every day here in Australia. Not only did we get to experience the sights of the Barron Gorge National Parks’s wet tropical rain forest from the world’s longest Skyrail, cuddle with koala bears, and hand-feed little wallabies.

At the end of our midday excursion we got a chance to walk around in Australia’s largest butterfly sanctuary…

Video courtesy Tourism Australia

It’s one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens. It was breathtaking when we stepped in the tropical enclosure and hundreds of extravagantly colored butterflies surrounded us. Tonight we look forward to dinner at the Cairns Tropical Zoo’s night program and experiencing Australia’s nocturnal wildlife.

Hi, this is Missy.
I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined that my summer vacation would have me cuddling with a koala bear named Princess!

Today, here in Oz, we went on a Skyrail quest over the rain forest! You could see the depth of the rain forest, the height of the trees, and some of its inhabitants. We saw flocks of cockatoos and even some rainbow lorikeets. It is DRASTICALLY different from my usual scenic view on the West coast of Florida! After that experience, we ventured over to the Kuranda Koala Gardens, where we had a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to see, touch, and even hold indigenous Australian animals!

I got to feed a few wallabies, watch a mother kangaroo nursing her young joey, and even hold Princess the koala! Her fur was soft and dry in contrast to her personality, which was bubbly, curious, and loving. I had never even seen a live koala before this trip and here I am holding one!

Comments

Uncle Dan
July 21, 2008, 1:43 pm

What an amazing adventure! Way to go Maya!
CousinPeter
July 21, 2008, 2:27 pm

Hi Everyone!
This is Peter (Adam’s cousin). I really loved watching the recent video that was posted. WOW! I never thought Australia had rainforests. All the interviews were great. Hope to see more!
Adam,
Did you have Croc Burgers??
Love,
Peter
Frog Qing
July 21, 2008, 2:38 pm

I think the activity is so great that it can make the children learn how beautiful our world is and protect the environment with more enthusiasm.If there are other chances, I want to join you guys!
Rozzie
July 21, 2008, 2:41 pm

Hi NANA,
What a lot to pack into a single day. I have a children’s book that my Dad used to read to me about a little Koala Bear named Joey that was written in 1937, can you believe it? Now you’ve held one. Remember every minute that you can, so you can share your adventure with us. Luke sends his love.
Grandma Roz
Papa
July 21, 2008, 2:55 pm

Savanna, I was so excited to see you holding the koala and petting the wallaby. Wish I could be with you and your team.

Your Grandpa
SheRussell
July 21, 2008, 3:54 pm

Hello Misha and friends!
The photos and videos are amazing – thank you for sharing your journey with all of us who are watching from home. Your stories are facinating. I’ll be following along each day. –Sheila
Moomaw
July 21, 2008, 4:45 pm

Hi everyone, what a great experience and holding a k oala–wow!!!. That float above the rain forest must have been thrilling. Keep being super ambassadors and geologists. Mooms
pdourian1
July 21, 2008, 4:47 pm

Hi Gang! Just got caught up on all you have been doing. It looks like you are having the time of your lives! Keep taking those pictures, and I loved the video–keep uploading those, too. It makes all of us at home seem like we are with you. Hi to Adam and Susan–miss you and can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. Love you.

Paige
harleycat
July 21, 2008, 6:59 pm

Wow!!!! It looks like you guys are having a good time!!! I can NOT believe you got to hold a koala bear!! That is a once in a lifetime experience!!

I would LOVE to be there right now!

Take lots of pictures!

p.s. Thanks for the video!!!!!
Moomaw
July 21, 2008, 7:22 pm

Hi again, Casey.
I bet this is another wonderful day for you. We think about you constantly . All the animals are fine including “The Tooth.”
Take care and Love, Mooms
Cousin
July 21, 2008, 8:54 pm

Casey,
What a cool video…it was really great to see you in it! It looks like you are having a blast…no wonder. I can’t wait to hear all of your stories and see your pictures. Tell your mom I said “hi” and enjoy this experience…you are sooooo lucky!!!

Cousin Mark
Bugatti_16
July 21, 2008, 9:08 pm

Hi Elisabeth,

The video is really cool!!

You look like you are having fun!

Matt Mom Tim Andy Grandma
penguin person
July 21, 2008, 10:33 pm

Hi guys!
Looks like you peeps are having fun! Did you know the blue butterflies are endangered? I’m looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!
penguin person
love dance!!!!!
July 21, 2008, 10:38 pm

Hi people!

Are you having fun? We’re very excited that you’re coming because it’s only a few days away and we want to know a lot more about you guys.

I wanted to send you a picture but I can’t so I’ll have to show you when you get here.

From CELESTE!
sausage boy
July 21, 2008, 10:39 pm

Hi, this is sausage boy
That is a great movie.
What did you feed the wallabies, and what is a sky rail?
Your buddy is looking forward to meeting you.
pink princes
July 21, 2008, 10:49 pm

Hi this is Narnia.
The video was great and you’re so lucky. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday at Bonorong park. See you soon!
from Narnia.
BananaRama
July 21, 2008, 11:01 pm

HI Missy and Savanna
The video was amazing.
I’ve never been chairlift over the rain forest But I have been on a chairlift. The name Princess is a weird name for a Koala. Funny too.
Feeding Wallabies is so much fun.
I’m looking forward to you coming to Tasmania and meeting us at Bonorong wildlife park.
You will see lots of animals there. I’ve never been there before and it will be a birthday treat for me. Can’t wait till you come!!

-BananaRama
love dance!!!!!
July 21, 2008, 11:02 pm

Hi peeps!

That video was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that before. You people are sooooooooo lucky. So when are you coming to Tassie?
me my
July 21, 2008, 11:10 pm

Hi, it was interesting seeing the video it was very cool.

How was it with the butterflies?
How were the Koalas?
carlover
July 22, 2008, 12:45 am

Hi Savanna and Missy
Savanna I’m Sam your buddy from 4/5 Rue your movie is so cool you look really different from your picture

p.s. What did the koala feel like.
crazy squirrel
July 22, 2008, 12:46 am

That sounds really cool what you did yesterday and the movie was really cool!
feeding wallabies would feel really cool for you guys and a new experience.
cant wait till you come to Hobart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dodgey
July 22, 2008, 12:47 am

Hi Missy and Savanna
I can’t wait until you come down to Tasmania but before you come down I have to ask you what was the most exciting thing you’ve seen here in Australia and whats your most favourite Australian animal so far in Australia.
Minnie Mouse
July 22, 2008, 12:49 am

Hi Missy & Savanna,
I am looking forward to meeting you at Bonorong wild life park!
If you do not know who I am I am one of the kids who won the National Geographic Hands-On Explorer Challenge. Only we where studying about the Tasmanian Devil!
Your video is sooo cool, and those butterflies! Were they cool or what?!
Anyway, I just know you will love Bonorong because it has Tassie Devils there, you can pat koalas, feed wallabies, see wombats & echidnas, and even see wedge-tail eagles! If you’re wondering how I know I have been there before.
(This is for you Missy)
Is your partner Georgia? If she is she is really nice!
And did you know when we are seeing you on Friday the paparazzi will be interviewing us! Plus we will be on TV!!!!!
Well, see ya!
Minnie Mouse (thats not my real name!!!!!!!)
corvettelover
July 22, 2008, 2:50 pm

Hi Missy and everyone,
We absolutely LOVE watching the videos… It’s ALMOST like we are there with you! Which one of you is gonna try to smuggle home a koala bear?
They look like they have big claws, were they sharp? Can’t wait to read the next blogs and see more pics and videos of Tasmania and the tassie devil. Have fun!!!
Love, Mom and MomMom
Hava
August 28, 2008, 1:07 am

Hey Savanna! Was that my head in the picture with the butterfly? Just curious.

Kat The Koala
iloveanimals12
January 7, 2009, 2:21 pm

i thought your info was AWESOME!
missy your the bomb
savannah u rock

lots of lovexoxoxo
iloveanimals12
April 15, 2009, 2:20 pm

hey done with me science project!
Your info was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank again
Lots of love
shastasteph
September 28, 2009, 5:22 pm

I wish I could someday be able to hold a koala, feed wallabies, and see a rain forest from a bird’s eye view!