Penguins!

So, until I figure out how to download my one picture of a penguin, you just get the story :)

We went to Phillip Island and had a great time!

We went to the chocolate factory and bought a chocolate shaped like a penguin- how wonderful!

We hiked along Cape Woolamai, which is another back-up site for the Bells tourney.

We went all over the island - to Smiths Beach, and also to Cowes, and to the Nobbies (it stunk, but was free.)

Then to the Penguin Parade. We bought Penguin Plus tickets (around $30/person) and showed up around 5:30. We wandered around the cafe and giftshops, then got to go outside to the seats around 6:15. We got popcorn to eat while waiting - kind of commerical, but hey, we got to see penguins! So around dusk, the ranger explained what was going to happen.

The penguins are out in the ocean all day long fishing and come back to land to mate and socialize. It's kind of crazy - they wait just offshore until they have a group of 15-50 and then all pop up onto the beach at the same time! And then there's a little break, and then another group pops up! One group at a time waddles across the beach and then off to their burrows in the grasses. There's a break for a few minutes, then the next group comes. It's quite hilarious to watch them waddle - I think they must be much more graceful in the water! It is amazing how they come in at nearly the same time each day, and in such big groups. We really enjoyed our time watching the penguins!

As you leave, the rangers remind you to check under your cars because sometimes the penguins hide under them.

If you go, be sure to bundle up because it gets cold and windy!

Hopefully, I'll post pictures one of these days...