Tuesday May 17th was our first day on Fritzroy Island at the turtle rehabilitation center. A lot of the protocols and procedures that were preformed in the mainland hospital were the same as the island location. Angie a 90-95 year old green turtle will be a forever occupant that the rehabilitation center because she is unable to dive down by herself to get food. She has been on the island for 3 years and has become a part of everyone’s family. Lou who is one my favorites is missing a front and rear flipper but they are on opposite sides so it does not keep him from getting around quickly in the water. Remy another green turtle was stuck in an oil slick and her shell is slowly repairing itself. All of these turtles have their own unique stories and some will be released back to their feeding grounds or where they were found.

Something interesting I learned during dinner tonight was a difference between the U.S. and Australian restaurant culture. I did not finish all my food so I wanted to take it with me back to the hostel. The manager almost refused to let me take the leftover food because they said they weren’t “licensed” and that people come to the restaurant to eat not to take it away. I was surprised, because in the US we can take food to go all the time.

We went to Hartleys crocodile farm yesterday the  19th and it was an unforgettable experience. We held a koala, petted a kangaroo and a wallaby came and sat right our laps. We also came within a few feet of some 4 meter crocodiles. I will never have this opportunity to come into such close contact with these animals again. I am excited to check out Kuranda on Sunday and have a cook out on the barbies near the lagoon.