Day 2 – Getting up close

                After a good night’s rest, our Tasmanian experience continued on. Breakfast was a jovial affair, with milk, cereals and toast. We then headed off for classroom immersion with the Grade 8s (Singaporean equivalent of Secondary 2s), splitting into 3 groups. Their classes were great to say the least and I believe all of us observed the classes with open and critical minds, noting the contrasts between ours and their education systems. They definitely had a different style of teaching that we could take to easily, some thoroughly enjoying the lessons even. I’d wager your son would have his own take on the lessons, I certainly found it thought-provoking.  

               Our observation spanned 2 hours before we headed for Bonorong Wildlife Park. We were accompanied by Mr Irons, our bus driver who was the previous Deputy Headmaster of Hutchins and the father of the founder of Bonorong, together with students from Hutchins school. The long ride to Bonorong gave us great opportunity to strike up conversation with our hosts and they confirmed our notions of Tasmanians being wonderful people. Right as we stepped off the bus at Bonorong, our guide Mel, a volunteer who worked there, was already there to welcome us.  Without much ado, we headed straight off into Bonorong, not knowing what was in store for us. 

 

                Bonorong is no Zoo. Neither was Mel your ordinary animal caregiver. At Bonorong, the visitors could get right up and close with the animals that were preserved there, allowing for a more wholesome and unique experience you can’t find in Singapore. Mel was an excellent guide, with her chirpy, exuberant manner andextensive knowledge on the animals. You could really see the passion she had for her work. Her introduction to the Tasmanian devils was particularly good. After the koalas, we broke lunch in a wooden shed inside the park.     This particular meal was memorable for me, the first time I ever enjoyed a pack lunch. Our lunch came in paper bags, each one with a salad wrap, chips, biscuit and fruit, complete with a packet of juice. Next time you go for picnics, this is what you should do.

                 

 

                We went further into the park and saw the possums, cockatoos, emus and quolls, all of which sparked our excitement but none more so than the kangaroos. We were told we could feed the kangaroos and enjoy time amongst them and all of us were furnished with a little bag of kangaroo food. 

                Our time with the kangaroos was simply awesome. We never imagined that the park housed over 90 of the marsupials, and never did we guess feeding kangaroos could be so enjoyable an activity. You’d pour the food on your palm and reach out to them at waist level. They were eager eaters, slobbery too :) Some of us felt icky at first but soon grew to find fun in it. We were completely immersed in the activity; playing around with the kangaroos while keeping our shoes clean from the animal droppings that peppered the entire area. Just like that, more than an hour and half swept by. This was definitely an unforgettable experience, one branded with the warmth and authenticity of Tasmania. 

 - Bin Hui
29/11/2012