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mylescorcoran at 12:08pm on 18/01/2006
mylescorcoran at 12:08pm on 18/01/2006Last weekend we went to Fota Wildlife Park on Fota Island near Cork. Summary: we had fun. Longer version behind the cut.
- It was a clear, cold day and we had a smooth drive out to Fota Island.
- First in the gate we met the guanacos and the eastern grey kangaroos. The guanacos had the patient air of members of the llama family who knew they could take you in a straight fight.
- In the distance, behind sturdy fences, a herd of bison stood wreathed in steam. The patriarch, a massive fellow, looked for all the world like a Victorian train standing at a platform, only with horns.
- In the main paddock zebra and mara went about their business, which appeared to be eating grass and making poo.
- The rain came on then, and we sheltered beneath a tree under the guanacos' contemptuous gaze. We were rewarded with a brilliant double rainbow of the most intense colours.
- We were also rewarded with mud. More on this later.
- Rounding the main paddock we found the scimitar-horned oryxes tentatively straying from their sheds. Nearby a peacock lurked - quiet for once.
- Rowan smelled an odd smell and wanted it identified.
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sammywol confidently asserted it was antelope poo. "Poo eee" replied Rowan. - Next we found some red ruffed lemurs. They have big fuzzy tails and amazing hands. sammywol proudly told me she touched one in Jersey years back. I pretended not to be jealous.
- Around the lake there were many water fowl, mostly migrants.
- The various gibbons species at Fota all have islands to themselves in the middle of the lake. We passed a white furred gibbon on a bridge looking lonely, and a white-handed (but black furred) gibbon hooting quietly to itself. The white furred one hopped up and loped over to the island as we passed.
- The penguins were having a union meeting.
- I can confirm that pelicans are big and have ridiculously large beaks.
- We then arrived at the playground area, which consisted of a very wet and muddy climbing set and swings, with a rope bridge, little wooden house on stilts and all that a certain toddler could ask for.
- "My gloves are wet... I want my gloves!" Rowan discovered that the rope bridge was a tad damp.
- Some time later, we went to the coffee shop next to the playground. I bought a doughnut with sticky icing and sprinkles. I ate the doughnut, Rowan ate the icing and sprinkles. Peacocks watched through the window hungrily. I don't think they missed much, though the cup of tea was welcome.
- Back to the playground and the howling of gibbons and lemurs in the distance. Rowan tired of the playground more quickly the second time around and we set off again.
- We found some wallabies. Rowan enquired as to what they were. "They're wallabies, Rowan," I said. "I saw a wobbly! I saw a wobbly! ... I saw a poo!" she replied.
- Swinging round again toward the main paddock we paused a while to watch the swimming seal in its too-small pond. I wish it had somewhere better to live.
- Along the main paddock we stopped to look at the emus and ostriches. We also admired the professionally lazy cheetahs in their enclosure.
- The giraffes were indoors but peeked out to test the weather.
- The red pandas were, as always, cute.
- Then it was into the park shop for retail indulgence followed by a picnic in the car, in the proper Irish fashion.
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