Friday was another day east of Melbourne. We started at Gumbaya, a park with themed rides, a zoo, and a waterpark. We started with a hanging roller coaster. All I can tell you was that it was fast. The first time we rode it, I closed my eyes as we dipped into mist for the first time. The second time we rode it, I closed my eyes when it started moving.
Anita rode a far more challenging ride. It halls you up a vertical pillar, waits a minute, then hauls you up to the top. Once you’re on the wobbly bit, the hauler lets go and the cars zip across before descending the second pillar, zoom back to the first pillar, ascend the second pillar a bit backwards and roll to a stop in the loading area. Anita said it was fun, but not as much fun as the hanging coaster.
We took a rest by walking through the zoo area. We saw sleeping koalas, sleeping wombats, a modest reptile hut which featured turtles and frogs in addition to snakes, a walk through aviary, emus, kangaroos and wallabies.
One kangaroo was carrying her Joey. As I took the picture, I could only see limbs protruding from the pouch. Now, I can see the face quite clearly.
From the petting zoo we went to the waterpark. We had “Express Q” tickets, and much to our surprise, this meant we could take an elevator to the top of the tower. We climbed into our raft, waited for the green light and zoomed down the chute. At every turn, we rose along the side, though it was fully enclosed at those points, so there was no danger of spilling out.
Anita rode many more slides than me. I enjoyed the lazy river. It went along at a fair clip and had a nice section of rapids. So more of a river than a lazy river.
Next we drove cross country for an hour and a half to Philip Island to spend sunset hoping to see penguins.
These penguins are aptly called Little Penguins, since adults are 30 cm tall. They are the only penguins to have a blue back. No photos were permitted after dark, so I captured this beauty near its nest as we walked to the viewing site.
The bay is quite large, and has several viewing areas. We opted for the Discovery Experience, and were on the far right of the beach, close to the most frequently used landing spot. It’s in the first photo, at those mini bays on the right. The penguins landed, then waited until 50 or so congregated before walking along the rocks and along a shrubby slope.
As they walked, mates and young would call out, encouraging them on this walk. They often stayed in groups, resting together. They seemed to take comfort in numbers. When nests were close enough to the edge of the route, chicks would dart out, demanding to be fed.
The wind was brisk, and it was chilly. We could have benefited from our raincoats as wind breaks. Nonetheless, we enjoyed every moment.
Juliette Knits 