Day 1 Reflections

Just some random thoughts about Day 1--

While looking at the HUUUUUGE Kodiak bear at the zoo, Claire said, "I find that animal really scary but I'd still love to go over and poke it." Reminds me of my relationship with my boss' boss at work.

Amy always loved Flying Fox bats but since owning her large eared dog, has developed an even greater affection for large eared animals in general. We wanted to see the dingos since we think her dog is a direct descendent from them but they moved them to their other zoo. She was very disappointed.

Saw Bilbys, Echidnas and Sugartail Gliders at the Sydney Zoo but couldn't get pictures since they're nocturnal and they don't allow flash photography. We kept waiting for the Tasmanian Devil to start its tornado shaped swirl and make the growling-babbling noise. Obviously, we all watched too many Warner Brother cartoons growing up.

It was cute to see the Australian school children in there school uniforms at the zoo. The children with the large, canvas bush hats were especially cute. They all had some sort of headwear embroidered with their school name but we liked the ones with hats like this-- http://www.hatsonline.com.au/epages/whitelabel1.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/hatsonline/Products/AH702/SubProducts/AH702-0010

Its always risky to link your travel plans with other families, especially when you don't know some of them very well but we're having a blast with Monica's family. Monica and I have traveled together in many situations (she and I to conferences, her traveling with my family to Gator football games, etc.) but I'd only met her brother once before and never met her sister. No worries, cause we're having a great time. The laughter last night at dinner over something as mundane as a missing order of garlic bread was proof.

Today, its the bridge climb with all 10 of us--four Koontzes, three Woolmers, one soon to be Woolmer and two Meyers. Have to get suited up in special jumpsuits, take a breathalyzer, go through a simulator and then trek up 340 feet in the air onto the top of the structure above the Sydney Harbor Bridge at twilight. Can't wait!