Alvis Centenary Tour Down Under, 20/3-7/4/2019: Day 10 :29/3/2019: Sydney to Leura

Day 10

The zoo glamping night was interesting (enjoyable interesting). The noises did not come from only outside.....the snore component was also inside our tent which several others confided was not unique!!! As warned the general zoo noises where amplified when the chimpanzees started calling out at 3 am and again at 5 am but ... I didn't hear them as my earplugs blocked out most of the zoo noises and all of Dales snoring!!

I did get rudely awakened at 6.10 am and reminded that the bags would be picked up at 7 am and if I wanted a cup of tea I had to get moving - pressure at this time in the morning!! Popping my head out of the tent flap the morning Sydney skyline greeted me. It was a lovely sunny morning with just a light breeze and the view priceless. A very large cruise ship had docked early this morning so large it dwarfed the Opera House.

Early morning group cuppa .....

From our tent the Sydney skyline...including a cruise ship which had docked earlier in the morning.

My cuppa over, a quick splash of water to my face allowed me to wake up and really take in the view. Fortunately I had showered the night before as there was a queue. At 7 am we headed off for our morning behind the scenes tour. the animals are active and keen to get their breakfasts. First stop - the colony of Cotton Top Macaques. These inquisitive monkeys came running when they heard us approach.

A cotton top macaques peeks through the foliage.

Trevor feeds the Giraffe its breakfast.

Next stop was the Giraffes. We each had the chance to step up to feed them. It was a wonderful experience.

Mike stepped up to feed the Giraffe.

Maritta gets her chance. Their tongues are long and they tend to slobber a little.

The next stop was the nocturnal house. The lights are deliberately turned on during the night and off during the day so visitors can see these creatures activities.

A Bilby seeks its dinner.

A male and female echidna are out and about our feet seeking their dinner.

A fairy glider who had been handed into the zoo after being found badly hurt by a member of the public. It is back to good health but cannot be released.

A barn owl is part of the birds of prey collection.

Not sure about this particular animal!!

Following our morning walk around we headed for breakfast which was provided in the café before some more behind the scenes visiting. The keepers are clearly a dedicated team committed to the health and welfare of their charges. We concluded our zoo experience but we had been advised the the 3 tiger cubs could be out today. Unfortunately this morning the press had been invited so the public (us) were locked out!! We passed the Asian Elephant exhibit and watched the baby elephant was frolicking in the pool.

The baby Asian Elephant takes an early morning swim with his mum.

The zoo has a large number of scrub turkeys that have moved in.

It was at this point we decided to leave the zoo and make our way back to the ferry - unfortunately the sky rail was not operational (a mechanical problem) - this was a little disappointing.

Heading back to Circular Quay.

Morning bridge climbers make their way to the top.

Alan, Mike and Maritta waiting at Circular Quay.

We caught the bus back to the wharf, then a ferry back to Circular Quay. Once there we waited to board the “Captain Cook Tour" for a 2 hour cruise around Sydney Harbour while enjoying a 3 course lunch.

Our lunch selections took second place to the view.

Our table take in the view.

It was a great experience.

Time to say good-bye to Adrian.

It was time to say goodbye to Adrian who had to return to the UK on a flight late tonight. Bev was also leaving temporarily who had to go back to Melbourne but will be re-join us early next week in Canberra.