16th October 2018

16th October 2018, 11 days at Billabong Sanctuary

Getting ready

This morning I got up a little later since Dave's shift started at 08:30. I went downstairs and walked into the open and lit up kitchen to get some breakfast. Noooo just kidding, the kitchen was still closed as well as the information desk. However, this time there was a note there with a number to call. I waited for a bit and then gave the number a try.

And indeed the number seemed to have magical powers as a definitely still asleep half-naked man, who was also the manager of the hostel, suddenly came down the stairs with a keychain around his neck. He unlocked the door and apologized for the inconvenience. If it was the same guy, I would have probably said something, but since it was the manager, I just nodded and got ready. Also, I now have a magic number.

Dave was right on time and ready to drive me to the sanctuary with his over 30 years old Toyota that was more truck than car.

I helped out raking the kangaroo enclosure and continued with feeding the chickens. There were some new ones but none as aggressive as the rooster from before.

I cleaned the bird enclosures. Kioti(<- I have no idea how to spell this name) took me extra long. She kept using the water bowl I filled up as a bath and as soon as I refilled it, she just jumped in again. I also got to clean an eagle enclosure that I hadn't done before. With the very active eagle still in it flying around and over my head the entire time.

For lunch, I had one of my meals with me since I realized that I bought groceries for around a week but since I am going to Cairns, I have a bit too much.

I collected the trash and cardboard, then I helped Will out with the new eucalyptus leaves for the koalas. We would go into the enclosures, get the old leaves out, and put the new ones in. Then Will radioed Rey to help him with Dexter and Matilda, the 2 koalas where we had just changed the leaves. I was confused; why did he need help? We were already done with the leaves.

Will opened the gate between the 2 enclosures when Rey came over. Rey grabbed a hold of Matilda, then Will grabbed Dexter. Rey walked over to the edge of Matilda's enclosure and Will walked over with Dexter. Oh! I thought, they are switching the enclosures so the koalas don't always get the same one, that's nice.

But they didn't switch enclosures... Rey placed Matilda on a tree and Will placed Dexter next to her. Then Dexter did things to Matilda that I will never be able to unsee.

Later, we threw all the old branches away and I finished the last dishes. I watched the reptile show while I waited for Dave to finish up his work.

Also, I kept all the ducks away so the free-roaming kangaroos could eat in peace. 11 days at Billabong Sanctuary.

Dishes

This morning I got up a little later since Dave's shift started at 08:30. I went downstairs and walked into the open and lit up kitchen to get some breakfast. Noooo just kidding, the kitchen was still closed as well as the information desk. However, this time there was a note there with a number to call. I waited for a bit and then gave the number a try.

And indeed the number seemed to have magical powers as a definitely still asleep half-naked man, who was also the manager of the hostel, suddenly came down the stairs with a keychain around his neck. He unlocked the door and apologized for the inconvenience. If it was the same guy, I would have probably said something, but since it was the manager, I just nodded and got ready. Also, I now have a magic number.

Dave was right on time and ready to drive me to the sanctuary with his over 30 years old Toyota that was more truck than car.

I helped out raking the kangaroo enclosure and continued with feeding the chickens. There were some new ones but none as aggressive as the rooster from before.

I cleaned the bird enclosures. Kioti(<- I have no idea how to spell this name) took me extra long. She kept using the water bowl I filled up as a bath and as soon as I refilled it, she just jumped in again. I also got to clean an eagle enclosure that I hadn't done before. With the very active eagle still in it flying around and over my head the entire time.

For lunch, I had one of my meals with me since I realized that I bought groceries for around a week but since I am going to Cairns, I have a bit too much.

I collected the trash and cardboard, then I helped Will out with the new eucalyptus leaves for the koalas. We would go into the enclosures, get the old leaves out, and put the new ones in. Then Will radioed Rey to help him with Dexter and Matilda, the 2 koalas where we had just changed the leaves. I was confused; why did he need help? We were already done with the leaves.

Will opened the gate between the 2 enclosures when Rey came over. Rey grabbed a hold of Matilda, then Will grabbed Dexter. Rey walked over to the edge of Matilda's enclosure and Will walked over with Dexter. Oh! I thought, they are switching the enclosures so the koalas don't always get the same one, that's nice.

But they didn't switch enclosures... Rey placed Matilda on a tree and Will placed Dexter next to her. Then Dexter did things to Matilda that I will never be able to unsee.

Later, we threw all the old branches away and I finished the last dishes. I watched the reptile show while I waited for Dave to finish up his work.

Also, I kept all the ducks away so the free-roaming kangaroos could eat in peace.

In the hostel, I got all the documents I needed for my travel to Cairns. I organized the nights with the hostel and packed my stuff. All a bit chaotic but it worked out in the end.

Gotta get up early tomorrow to catch the bus, soooo good night!