Today was AWESOME. We started this morning at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center.
We saw some interesting fruits. This one was used as an energy drink because it has caffeine. Then the pods could be dried and used as paintbrushes for the tribal body art. 
Mommy learned how to throw a boomerang (she was very good. Extra points for making the instructor duck!)
Then it was off to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. We got up close and personal with some crocs
And best of all, Mommy fulfilled her Australian wish to cuddle a koala
AWESOME!!!
This is the closest MiniMax was willing to get to a koala
Tomorrow is another adventure. We leave Cairns but are off to Sydney!
oh how cute… how is it to hold a Koala in your arms? … have they fur like a dog/cat or different ?
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So much softer than a dog. Maybe a rabbit? he was quite docile and a bit of a ham… He knew where the cameras were for sure
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What fun! How about that half-naked boomerang guy with all the cool body art. That koala takes cute to a whole new level. Mom is NOT allowed to get one, uh, uh, I am putting my paw down.
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His name means “River” in the Tjapukai tribe so all his art reflects the river and the motion of the water. Neat right?
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Yes, and it would be neat to see the body art of someone whose name means “fire” or “snake” or “dinosaur.” HE, he.
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It’s interesting. In his tribe, the tradition is the first time a pregnant woman feels her baby kick, she looks around for the nearest feature-maybe a river, a goanna (lizard), fruit bat, croc, possum, eagle, etc. and she knows that is the spirit watching over her child and that’s the name she chooses. The tribe has five clans, two are “water” and three are “earth” clans. Water must marry Earth, thus preserving the gene pool. There are over 500 different Aboriginal tribes in Aus, all with similar but different traditions and language!
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Hi Andrea, Enjoyed your writings and pics a lot. Glad you are having such a good time. Your mom sent us your blog. Love those koalas. We did the same in Australia in 1989. Great fun.
Love, Jim and Marianne
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