Today I went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with the Tennoji members and two teachers at Holland Park State High School.
First, we saw a lot of koalas. There were much more koalas than I had expected. They were so cute! In the koala moment, I was able to touch one koala. The texture was like a carpet, and I was glad to get so close to him.
After that, we went to feed kangaroos. I was surprised to see lots of kangaroos and emus walking or sleeping on the ground, without cages. I was able to touch and feed them in a close distance. That was quite a valuable experience because there are few places we can see and touch such many kangaroos in Japan. It was so fun to feed especially emus, who pecked at my hands a little strongly when they ate food.
After having lunch, we had free time. We watched many kinds of animals: birds, Tasmanian devils, sheep, guinea pigs, chicks and chickens, etc. And then we watched the birds show. I was impressed by a keeper who was talking through the show because she explained the lives of birds so smoothly and clearly. But I couldn't understand what she was saying in some parts... I have to practice listening more.
In another free time after the show, we went to see reptiles. I love reptiles like snakes and frogs, so it was one of the best time I spent in Lone Pine. It was a pity that I couldn't watch the sheep dogs show, but I had a great time there.
After coming back home, the real fun started when my host mother's daughter came to our house. I was able to go out running with her! I'd really wanted to run with her, so I was very happy and excited! She is so kind, friendly, and funny. Both in a car and in running, we kept talking a lot. Sometimes we learned English words (like mangetsu = full, rain heavily = pour), and other times we taught Japanese words (like chouchou). It was so fun to run in fresh air and talk with her a lot! We finally ran 8km about in an hour. I felt like I could continue running forever in that park because it was extremely nice to run around. I had a great time to run with her at night!
Coming back home, we had amazing dinner: pasta and garlic bread. Everything my host mother cooks tastes so good. We also had pudding and ice cream as dessert. After that, we became Japanese teachers of her daughter. She asked us how to explain her job, some Japanese names of insects (butterfly, moth, beetle, larva, etc.) and useful expression she can use when she feels sick or calls rent-a-car company etc. Her job is an entomologist, so it was quite difficult to explain the situation in Japanese. It was like a Japanese lesson for her, but we also had a great time talking with her and teaching Japanese, so I thanked her very much. It was a wonderful time!
The fun never stopped. We went outside the house to see stars. We were able to see lots of stars clearly, including south cross, that can be seen only in the south hemisphere. I was very excited! I felt like I could see starts forever. We took lots of photos. I enjoyed night in Brisbane for the first time!
Throughout the day, I was very much satisfied lots of new experiences. Only 3 days are left, but I want to enjoy time here to the fullest.
3月12日(水)