Victoria

Agra is believedsite of an ancient Hindu Kingdom, but the city
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December 23, 2004:
From Lake's Entrance, I headed to Foster. That drive is adorable. All along the way farming communities hit the oceans edge. You have these beautiful rolling hills, with amazingly clean and shiny cows, perfect picturesque houses with roses in the front, overlooking great ocean views. I was on my way to Wilson's Promintory which is a huge national park right there at the southeastern tip of Oz... but the trip there was a scene all to itself. I found my way to the adorable backpackers in the tiny town of Foster, dropped my bags and went in search of something to eat. I found the grocery store, but it had closed 5 minutes before... after a little begging they opened the doors.

Journal Continued:
This morning, I headed to Wilson's prom. I drove around for a while and then I hiked to the top of the mt. From the top I had views of cloud capped hills behind me and in front, beautiful blue waters lapping up on white sand beaches. I sat up there for a while. After spending the 2 hours it took to get to the top, I was in no rush to hurry down. Eventually, though I needed to get back on the road-- so I went down the hills and into my little red accent. I stopped at a couple of spots on my way back, including the squeaky beach, which would be the best place for us to go. It was white soft cool sand, and gorgeous blue crystal waters. The water is a little cool for my taste, but not overwhelming. There were a few people learning to surf... but mostly it was empty. It would have been an ideal place to sit and read in the sun.

Journal Continued:
Back on the road by 5-- and here at Phillips Island by 6:30. Phillips island is a wildlife wonder and includes a penguin colony with whom I have a date in about an hour. There is also a seal colony as well. Plus there are Koalas and Kangas. I have had about as much of the kangas as I can stand.

Journal Continued:
They keep trying to commit suicide in front of my car. I dont know what it is about them, but they just love to run right in front of my little red accent. I already hit one, actually he hit me, but it was scary. I was driving in Ben Boyd national park and he lept out of the bushes and flew into my passenger side door. In fact, he almost flew into my passenger window. Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was a kanga head coming towards me... Anyway, He limped off... and there was no damage to the car. I stopped to see if it was alive, and he was long gone. Another fellow stopped as well and I asked him what I am supposed to do... if it happens again. He told me that if it is really injured--- ie you can catch it -- you wack it on the head and kill it. Otherwise, if you can't catch it, then it must not be that bad. Since then there have been several narrow misses. I don't find any of the narrow misses amusing.

Journal Continued:
I also saw a giant lizard. It looked like a komodo dragon, or a monitor lizard or something. I don't know what it was, he moved real fast as he went across the road. I think that he was over a meter long. He moved like a komodo dragon... and he looked really mean too.

December 24, 2005:
Last night I went to the penguin parade. Essentially, at sunset, all the penguins come out at the same time. They are frightened to go by themselves, so they wait until they have at least ten in a group and then rush across the beach. It is quite funny, because they get together, they start to walk, they take a head count and then rush back into the waves. Eventually they come out of the water and rush to the beaches and climb the steep dunes to their nesting grounds where these hungry chicks await to greet them. The chicks evidently don't know the difference between their parents and the others and they are nearly the size of the adults... so they attack the adults as they pass trying to get food. It creates an even bigger obstacle to the adults than getting out of the water. These silly babies come charging at the adults beaks and begging for food. Time and time again -- the adults pass by the babies, until finally the mum returns to claim her chick and give her the precious regurgitated food. I was laughing the whole time. These are fairy penguins, the smallest variety in the world. They weigh about a kilo and you just want to grab them up and cuddle with them. Plus -- when they walk, they just waddle along...

Journal Continued:
Then I went to a wildlife state park which had a bunch of koalas. I got some great shots of koalas and some film of a mom and joey walking along the boardwalk. This is a lot of activity for a koala. They spend more than 20 hours of each day sleeping. They are such cute little creatures. They are almost always in a have dazed state of sleepiness. Eyes partially closed, slow movements. You just want to grab them and cuddle them. But that is not advised.

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