To the Zoo! I definitely recommend that anyone who visits Queensland should take a short drive up towards the Sunshine Coast and stop in at the Australian Zoo. You will not be disappointed. I admit, it might be more satisfying to spot these animals in the wild, but this is not your average zoo. I know that most Aussies think that Steve Erwin is a crackhead, and that for some reason, most Americans love him. But, all that aside, his energy and enthusiasm is everywhere in this park. All of the animal handlers and guides are like mini-Steves, bringing the animals right up to you for a "pat" and to answer all of your questions. Even at the big stadium-style shows, the speaker is more often in the audience, bringing or calling the animals right up to everyone. I could see the big macaws making their way from perch to perch, noting to my disdain that we had accidentally chosen prime perch access seats. I got my camera ready, and was looking through the viewfinder when I lost track of the big red one on its flight towards us. In a blur, I could see nothing but feathers and talons, unable to zoom out far enough, and before I knew it, the thing lands right on my head! I lifted my hat reflexively, bird still on it, when the trainer girl rushed over to help. In all the excitement, I didn't notice that the whole incident was on the big screen, that everyone was laughing, or even hear her say over the PA system, "Will the gentleman in the hat please remain calm... Help is on the way." It was hysterical. My mom would have died laughing.

The highlight for me was the "Kangaroo Heaven" enclosure, where wallabies and kangaroos roam around free. It's not a cage where you look over the fence or through the bars, but a huge area with trees, hills, and a creek. When you stand in the middle of it, you cant even see the fences. The animals feel right at home, and let us come right up close to them without hopping away. It was nice that it wasn't a very busy day, so there were more kangaroos than people in there. Not far away was the koala walk, where the tops of the trees are at eye level, and the photo opportunities blow away anything you can find in the wild.

Taking a break on the grass, I began to notice that the whole place is crawling with lizards, maybe two to three feet long. Not in cages, mind you, but everywhere! I tossed one a few tiny bits of apple, and he came closer and closer. I got him to eat out of my hand, so I turned my head to show Carmel and Naomi, and when I did, he jumped up onto my lap, and snatched the whole thing out of my other hand!

Giant Galapagos Land Turtle	''He's moving pretty fast!''	Kookaburra at the Bird Show	''The gentleman with the hat - Please remain calm!''
Blue and Yellow Macaw	This is the Cheeky Bird Who Landed on my Head!	''What are you lookin' at...''	Attack of the Tiger Cub
Getting Chased into the Water	Feeding Time	This is the Same Croc That Bit Steve!	Crikey!
This Looks Exactly Like One of the Postcards I Sent	Naomi Feeding a Kangaroo	Me and a Kangaroo!	James Pets a Wallaby
There Everywhere!	Takin' a Break	Wallaby in the Kangaroo Park	Ugly Emu
Chasing James Down the Path	Koala Bear	''Don't bother me, I'm sleeping...''	''Come back in five minutes... (yawn)''
''Hey, nice hat...''	Sleeping Albino Red Kangaroo	Wombats	Copper Head Snake
Very Poisonous Red Belly Black Snake	Getting Eaten by a Log	This Guy Jumped Onto My Lap!	Naomi and Carmel Taking a Breather
Big Crocodile	Camel Gets a Checkup	Funny Looking Cassowary	This is the Kind of Snake James Wants
Dizzy Otters

I've met alot of nice friends at the Victoria Point congregation. Here are a few of them:

Tim and Josh	Ness and Her Nieces	The Victoria Point Boys	Kieth and Ron, the Doormen
''We didn't have enough time to meet you...''	Me at Victoria Point Kingdom Hall	Reg

On this, my last night in Australia, most of the Gosden family got together for a small going-away gathering. Most of my photos so far were candid type shots, but tonight I asked everyone to pose and smile. It was so funny when young James kept making faces, that I had to include the outtakes! When Carmel unveiled another of Matt's cappuccino pies, she announced, "Matt told me that this pie was probably what got Marnie's attention," triggering a burst of laughter from everyone in the audience. After some long goodbyes, I let everyone know that it was a delight to meet them, and that I would definitely return one day. A month is a long time, but not nearly enough time to see and do everything I wanted to see, and not nearly enough time to get to know everyone I wanted to meet. That is true, although after only a few days, it felt like I've known them for years. On my way out the door, I exlained to Percy, Rose, and Matt that I'd come to see what all the fuss was about - to see what it was that could make my brother want to leave everything he's ever known and move to the opposite end of the planet. I could not understand, and being an older brother, felt like I had to steer him straight, show him what mistake he might be making. But I understand much better now. I had to see it for my own eyes, and experience it for myself. I told them that I can see how happy he is, and how well he fits in. Of course, Matt could fit in with any crowd, and would find his way in any place. But, Marnie is undeniably perfect for him, and Australia is big enough and diverse enough to keep his need for adventure active. I told them that that was good enough for me, and that I knew they would take good care of him, finished tying my shoes, and followed Matt to the car, waving goodbye one last time.

Joel and Ness	''Matt said, This is the pie that got Marnie's attention!''	Percy	Ness, Carmel and Marnie
Take One...	Take Two...	Take Three...	There it is!
Jenny and her daugters, Zoe and Steffie	''See You, James...''