Australian travel advice
Travel around the world has become hazardous in recent years.
I thought about that sentence for a few minutes. I guess travel anywhere has been hazardous in many different eras, and nothing has really changed, except perhaps the types and nature of the threats. In 2005-06 when I travelled to Thailand I thought very little about any hazards and I had a great time. I would think twice about going there at the moment with their political problems. (Read about my experiences here.)
from Thailand I went to Nepal for a month. This was a life changing experience, but the Maoists were very active at the time. On one occasion I was confined to my hotel for 24 hours because of bombings a short distance away from my hotel in Kathmandu. It was risky but I survived. Every tourist needs to sum up the relevant risk factors relating to their travel destination and make a call. In reality, there is probably more risk in driving to my local supermarket for shopping than the risks involved in travel to most overseas countries. Far more people die in car accidents than plane crashes, for example.
I recently had my attention drawn to an Australian site which gives Australians advice when planning an overseas holiday. Aussie Travel Advice is an independent travel site especially set up to help Australians. Go and have a look here.
Ama Dablam, Nepal, 2006
Cheetahs at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Cheetahs, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Monarto Zoo is our local zoo, being only a quick ten minute drive from home here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. This zoo is primarily an open range zoo and is a part of the Adelaide Zoo in our capital city. Being so close we enjoy visiting often – and getting value from our membership cards.
Every few minutes throughout the day, a bus leaves from the Visitor Centre taking visitors on guided tours of the zoo. At various points they can disembark and walk short distances to a series of lookouts and viewing platforms. These give excellent views of many of the animals. One of the favourite animals held by this zoo would have to be the beautiful Cheetahs, shown in the photos on this post.
Cheetahs, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Cheetahs, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Cheetahs, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Spotted Hyenas, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Spotted Hyenas, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
On a recent visit to our local zoo at Monarto we took several guided bus trips through the various enclosures. One of these enclosures contains a pack of Spotted Hyenas, shown in the photos on this post. The breeding programme at this zoo has been very successful and we obtained good views of at least one of the babies.
Spotted Hyenas, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Spotted Hyenas, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Spotted Hyenas, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
The Southern White Rhinoceros is one of the featured animals at our local Monarto Zoo, just a few minutes’ drive from our home.
The Rhino is one of the largest land animals in the world. This particular species is found in southern Africa. Its habitat includes grasslands and savannah where there are trees and a water supply. Rhinos have poor eyesight they rely on a good sense of smell to locate food and water. They also have a good sense of hearing.
For more information about this animal click here.
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Southern White Rhinoceros, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Kangaroos, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Western Grey Kangaroo (with joey), Monarto Zoo, South Australia
On our bus tour of Monarto Zoo last year I managed to get these photos of several kangaroos. The Western Grey Kangaroo was carrying a joey in the pouch (see above). Below is a shot of a large Red Kangaroo.
When the zoo was opened to the public in 1993 the area was enclosed by a tall fence. Some kangaroos native to this area were trapped inside the fence and have continued to thrive, albeit not in the enclosures housing the cheetahs and lions!
Western Grey Kangaroo (with joey), Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Red Kangaroo, Monarto Zoo, South Australia