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There’s a moral to this story. I heard repeatedly from others on the trip, “I’m not doing that, koalas are mean, and they pee on you!” Being an experiential learner (or, as mom always said, having to learn things the hard way) and having inherited industrial-grade stubborn from both sides of the family, I went to the empty queue for koala photos anyway. I was soon joined by two colleagues who, like me, weren’t going to be talked out of koala bliss by the possibility there might be an accident.
So I had the experience of a life time. No mean, and no accidents. True, there are no promises that you would be equally fortunate, or that I would be equally unmarked another time. But does it matter so much? Clothes wash, for crying out loud, and any way, I could always sit on the outside deck of the boat on the way home.
The cuddle photos of the koala shown here were taken by my friends with my camera, but I gladly purchased the official photograph to support the sanctuary. I bought 10 postcards, too, and I promise all my family and friends I’m sending them out shortly.
And that’s the report from My World this week.
To see the world through others’ eyes, visit “That’s my World”, a weekly meme sharing photos and impressions of all the world seen through the bloggers’ eyes and lenses.
Update: Science Guy made a comment about koala fingerprints that tickled my curiosity. Here’s a reference, by Henneberg et al in Natural Science http://naturalscience.com/ns/articles/01-04/ns_hll.html
And I should have included the link for the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, too.
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These are great! I would love to cuddle one. Our daughter was nuts about koalas when a child and we drove all over the US to zoos that had them so she could see them….always sleeping. We have a whole attic full of stuffed ones and other koala themed stuff. Need to get rid of all that now that she is grown and married
If you get the chance to hold one, do it. It’s wonderful.
I think all parents of adult children must have attics full of stuff like that. My parents held several yard sales after I moved away.
Sounds like a must on an Aussie itinerary. Cuddle a true teddy bear..who would not like to? I am curious also as of seeing them in the wild. Is it easy?
They are a species at risk, but it is still possible to see them in the wild. I didn’t have time to do that, but there are both organized tours and suggested locations for viewing them.
I can’t resist bragging a little! I visited there AND held a koala, AND had my photo taken AND STILL have it and it was more than 40 years ago! Oh how that dates me – but I was VERY young!! Still a great memory. Back then we could also hold a big snake and have photos taken – but maybe that’s not done anymore.
So find that photo and scan it in for us, Mick! The snake, too.
I had to laugh as that is how my daughter had to learn right down to sticking tweezers in the electrical socket at her grandma’s house. It must run in our genes Wren…. Michelle
My mother said much the same thing; “You take after your father!”
the koalas reminds me of our very own tarsiers. great photos.
off-topic. about your question. the flood that happened in manila was the worst ever in my years of existencee . the place i live in is about 3 hours away in manila. we had strong winds but fortunate enough not to be flooded. i had lots of friends in manila who lost everything but i am sure we filipinos can survive this.
I can see the resemblance, too, though I think tarsiers look even more look yoda … wow – what eyes they have!
Glad you are safely out of harms way, but our hearts go out to those who have lost so much.
Wonderful photos of the koalas. They are such cute animals.
They are interesting critters, too. Some of the Australians I met felt very strongly about people calling them “koala bears” rather than “koalas”
Wren: I always thought they were lovely gentle creatures.
I think the one I was holding thought of me a rather odd tree, but was willing to adapt.
What an adorable animal. Fantastic shots. I’d risk any accidents for that experience.
Clearly the problem with the group I was with was a deficiency of nature bloggers.
Love that curled perfect balancing act.
It seems very yogaesque and zen like. Probably easy to give that appearance when you sleep 20 hours or so a day.
Oh my goodness….I would risk a bit of pee too. Who cares! And…wow…you got to hold one. He looks like the softest, cutest little thing! I love his face and his hands….
Words to live by: Wash and Wear!
Oh my that was worth the threat of a little pee for sure! Cute to the max!!
The cost-benefit analysis came out on the positive side for me.
They look cute, but they can be nasty little buggers. In Australia, crimes have been attributed to koalas, which actually have fingerprints!
I’d love to hear more about the fingerprints.
Koalas have mastered cute.
And if you get the chance, ignore the nay-sayers.
You got to HOLD one of the koalas?!?!?!?!!! OMG, I’m SOOOOOO jealous. They’re pretty cute curled up in their sleeping position, too.
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