Koalas are so cute!

This morning it had been arranged for us to visit Whale World, a local museum here in Albany. Ellen had asked for us to go on a whale watch but this is what was placed on our schedule instead, so she made the morning optional but asked that at least some of us attend. Honestly, I was expecting it to be kind of lame and along the lines of the aquarium park in Free Willy, but it turns out that Whale World is really the last commercial whaling operation in Australia-turned museum. It is intended to preserve both the history of that whaling operation, as well as educating visitors about the place of whales in the world.

We were given our tour by the Director of Whale World who actually came into the museum business after working in carpentry for a number of years. I expected the museum to glorify the whaling business, an idea which I find odious, but he actually knew a lot about whales in general and presented a multi-faceted view of the industry. For example, when that particular whaling business closed down in the late 1970s, workers found out on the radio and were given no compensation whatsoever in losing their jobs. The economy of Albany was devastated for over a decade because of the loss of wages from the whaling company.

At the end of our tour, our guide shared that to help draw in more money to support Whale World, the organization was constructing another attraction, an zoo of all different species of indigenous Australian animals. He offered to take us to see the animals which were just brought into temporary housing to become acclimated to the weather in Albany, and of course we accepted. We saw wallabies and Tasmanian devils and wombats, but best of all, we were able to pet koalas! He had cleared it with the trainer a few days before, and carefully instructed us to only pet them on the back and not to let them try and climb on you (koalas are pretty mean and scratch and bite), but we spent a solid half hour taking photo after photo of everyone with koalas. In real life they are every bit as cute as they appear in pictures, but they weren’t as soft as kangaroos to pet. One particular koala did, though, try to climb up to eat more eucalyptus leaves by sliding up his sleeping friend and sitting on the sleeping koala’s head to reach the high branches. Adorable!

Needless to say, we left Whale World a little behind schedule, but we still managed to stop at the Gap and Natural Bridge, this park with incredible rock formations. At the gap, especially, the waves can crash up higher than you would ever think possible and a number of people have been swept away and died. Still, it was an incredible sight to see and another vivid scene that a camera just couldn’t capture. I can only really equate it to the majesty of seeing Niagara Falls with white beaches and waves crashing along the rocks, and even then I’m afraid the explanation is very inadequate.

We made it back in Albany in time for some shopping and a quick lunch before we had to head off for a reception and the final event of our trip. I set off and literally ran up and down the streets of Albany to get my final shopping done – the group presents for Ellen and Joe (framed pictures of our group and a necklace for Ellen).

We arrived a bit late to the reception – apparently some the mayor of Albany had been there but had to leave when we were running late – but it was still a powerful end to our program. Ezzard presented all of us with gifts from Mungart Boodja – copies of the Koorah Coolingah catalogue and Little Black Fingers, the first pamphlet written about the child artists of Carrolup. Eugene, who couldn’t be there, also sent us all soaps and essential oils that he made from bush plants. Our group was further given a beautifully painted didgeridoo, to be added to the mountain of artwork and loving gifts which have been passed on to us. It was difficult to think that this was our last interaction with people like Ezzard who we have spent the last few weeks working with so closely, but at the same time, I’m getting to the point where I am ready to go home for a while.

On the way back to our hotel, Ellen had Joe drive us to Dog Rock, which is a sacred site in the middle of downtown Albany. It is really interesting, as it obviously holds cultural value for Aboriginal people, but in past decades there had been talk by the city of demolishing it. As it stands, it is currently next to “Dog Rock Shopping Centre” and across the street from the Dog Rock Veterinary office. I couldn’t stay for too long though, as I had to run and pick up the pictures and check off a few more errands before dinner.

Our group decided to have a nice last dinner in Albany together at the Tanglehead Brewery. We had liked the pub menu, but ended up eating in the restaurant which was a bit fancier and definitely more expensive. Fortunately, Ellen found money in the budget for us all to have a nice dinner together. After everyone had eaten we gave her the presents – this really cool red necklace and the group picture, and I think she really enjoyed them. It is always a very nice feeling to find the right gift for someone.

Peace,

Jill