Phillip Island

This Saturday, Dad drove us out to Phillip Island for the day. However, we didn’t actually get there until a little after noon. Why?

Because we had to see Pelicans getting fed. We waited for about an hour and a half for this ranger woman to come outside into the freezing cold air and feed these 15 or so pelicans. When she did, I was glad we waited. The pelicans knew her and what she was bringing them. She’d toss a fish into the air and their would be a mad flurry of feathers as every pelican jumped at it, huge bills open wide. It was rather entertaining.

We drove across the bridge to Phillip Island and ate at a little place called ‘Chino’s’ where we all had fish ‘n chips. The fish piece was about a foot long, I kid you not. I couldn’t eat it all! We took some pictures of the ocean there, then continued on our adventure.

Next stop was the Koala Convention Center. Let me just say this for the record: Koalas are THE cutest things on the face of the planet. I saw about 10, maybe 15, koalas that day and have decided that they are also the most boring animals I’ve ever seen. In the same park, however, were wallabies… And they were everywhere. I lost count of how many of those I saw.

After leaving the center, we headed to Churchill Heritage Farm. I can’t even begin to name all the animals I saw there; way too many. I can, though, tell you all that I saw a peacock and an assortment of farm animals. My favorite part was holding a baby goat. He practically jumped into my arms! He then proceeded to try to eat the end of one of my braided pigtails…  But he was still adorable!

I didn’t want to leave the farm but knew something good was coming. We drove down to Surf Beach and it was the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. White sand, clear waters, surfers, perfectly picturesque (sp?)! James and I shed our shoes, rolled up our pant legs, and went running across the sand. I loved it and I can’t wait to go back.

Finally, we went to see penguins. We sat on the beach with about 100 other people and watched these little penguins come out of the sea and waddle back to their burrows on land. Now these penguins couldn’t have been more than a foot tall. Their feathers were blue and white with a silvery sheen. Honestly, I would have never guessed something that small could run so fast!

Well, that’s all!!! It was a day to remember.

~Marissa

P.S.- TJ, I have Skype. I sent you a "friend request".