My Australian adventure
Posted By: Desmond P (Posted July 25th)
I’ve been on trips before, but nothing prepared me for what an Australian safari would feel like. From the very first morning, I sensed this would be a different kind of adventure. The outback is a world that doesn’t ease you in—it surrounds you with its vastness, its silence, and its unshakable wildness. As the sun rose, casting a soft orange glow over the red earth, I realized how small I was against this endless landscape. There’s a kind of humility in being reminded that the world is far older and tougher than we are.
The ride out into the bush was quiet, except for the crunch of tires over dry soil and the call of distant birds. My eyes kept darting, searching, and then I saw them kangaroos bounding across the horizon with a grace that seemed almost unreal. They didn’t move for us; they moved for themselves, as if we were just passing shadows. Soon after, emus appeared, striding with such confidence, their tall figures blending perfectly with the sparse trees. Watching them, I felt like I’d stepped into some ancient rhythm, one that had pulsed through this land long before I ever set foot here.
The moment that struck me most came at the billabong. We stopped, and for a while the silence was complete, as if the land itself held its breath. Then, in a sudden explosion of life, a flock of cockatoos and galahs rose into the air. Their colour’s white, pink, and flashes of grey lit up the sky like sparks. The sound of their wings filled my ears, chaotic yet perfectly in sync with the wild. I sat still, mesmerized, as if the world had opened just for me.
At the edge of the water, crocodiles lay in wait. Their bodies were so still that for a moment I thought they were logs. Then I saw the slow ripple of an eye blinking above the surface, and I felt a shiver of both fear and respect. To see such creatures in their element was a reminder that out here, survival is a constant, ancient dance. The land isn’t just beautiful it’s dangerous, uncompromising, and real.
As the day unfolded, I found myself reflecting on how alive I felt. Each step, each sound, each shadow carried meaning. The desert wasn’t empty; it was brimming with life, with stories etched into the rocks, into the water, into the cries of the birds overhead. I realized this safari wasn’t about spotting animals or taking photos it was about learning to see the land as it is, vast and unapologetic, yet deeply generous to those who pay attention.
By the time the sun dipped low again, painting the sky in fire and violet, I knew I had changed. I wasn’t just a visitor in Australia; I was a witness to something eternal. The outback doesn’t let you forget it. It stays with you, written into your memory, reminding you of how wild and breathtaking the world can be.
Bobs 50th Party at the Australia zoo
Posted by: Jill Nob (Posted June 21st)
Bob never thought he’d celebrate his 50th birthday surrounded by crocodiles, kangaroos, and the wildest cast of animals he could imagine, but when his family surprised him with a party at the Australia Zoo, he realized this milestone was going to be unforgettable. From the moment he walked through the gates, he felt like a kid again. The sound of birds chattering overhead, the smell of eucalyptus and warm earth in the air, and the sheer energy of the place brought a grin to his face that refused to fade.
His friends and family had gathered in a shaded picnic area near the koala enclosure, balloons tied to tables and a banner stretched across the trees that read “Happy 50th, Bob!”. But the real treat was that the zoo staff had planned a few special encounters just for him. After a round of hugs and laughter, Bob was led to meet a giant tortoise. As he gently touched its ancient shell, he joked, “Finally, something older than me!” which made everyone burst out laughing.
The highlight of the day, though, was the crocodile feeding show. Bob was given the honor of helping the handlers toss food to one of the massive reptiles. Standing just a few feet away from a creature with jaws that could snap in an instant made his heart race, but the thrill of it reminded him that turning 50 didn’t mean slowing down. “Still got my reflexes,” he said proudly as the croc lunged, sending a splash of water into the crowd.
Later, as the group strolled through the kangaroo enclosure, Bob found himself hand-feeding one of the friendly marsupials. A photographer captured the moment Bob laughing, a kangaroo nibbling from his hand, and his grandchildren giggling nearby. He knew that photo would be framed on his wall for years to come.
Back at the picnic area, the party rolled on with a birthday cake shaped like a crocodile, its green icing scales almost too perfect to cut. When everyone sang Happy Birthday, Bob looked around at his family and friends his wife holding his hand, his kids snapping photos, his parents still cheering for him, and his mates raising their glasses. He realized that this wasn’t just a birthday party; it was a celebration of every adventure, every laugh, and every memory that had brought him here.
As the sun began to dip and the zoo quieted, Bob took a moment to himself. He watched parrots swoop overhead and thought about how fitting it was to spend his 50th birthday here a place full of life, energy, and discovery. “Half a century old,” he murmured, “and still plenty more to see.” And with that, he joined his family once again, ready for whatever the next chapter of his life might bring.