Day 65

One of the main reasons we wanted to go to Magnetic Island was to see the wildlife. The Manager there told us that they did a Champagne Breakfast where you get to meet all the animals. So we decided to do it.

We started off by cooking our own bush toast over a bush fire and collected all our breakfast, hot and cold - mmm! Then we held the black parrot which kept on playing with our watches and bracelets; Al has a bead on his bracelet and the parrot decided he wanted a bit too and bit it.

We went over to the Cockatoo named Captain, who only let women handle him. However when Lorna followed the instructions by the ranger to say 'Do you want a storke Captain?' He climbed down the perch which meant he was coming to bite Lorna's feet, needless to say she got out quickly.

Whilst we were eating our breakfast we were joined by a 3 year old Saltwater crocodile. The ranger let us hold the croc and we were suprised at how soft it was underneath.

A few moments later we had the opportunity of holding a Queensland Carpet Python and we were suprised how strong it was. This carpet python was a different colouring to the one we saw in Bellingen and it was also smaller.

They brought out a koala although we decided not to hold it. Then the ranger did a talk about local bush foods and fauna. We started off by trying a Cardwell leaf which tasted like cabbage until the after taste kicked in and it was very bitter. Al got us some more champagne to wash it down.

After the leaf a ranger called Jenna was telling the group how all of the other employees have been trying to convince her to eat a grub. Although she wasn't convinced, we said we'd do it with her. They found 3 Rhinosaurus Beetle grubs and a crowd gathered to see us eat one. After a countdown we all ate one...well tried too. The skin was really tough and rubbery, once broken our mouths were filled with grub juice which tasted like dirt and grit. This was due to them feeding off wood. You can see in out photos the lcoals thought we were heroes and happy snapping photos of us.

We then went for another walk, but this time to the Fort. It was an ex-military base at the highest point of the island which gave great views. We stayed at the top for a while taking in the great views. It was really hot so we walked down to Arthur beach for a snorkel. However, we both got stung by jellyfish so we had to get out. We played hangman in the sand and wrote silly messages before heading back.

On the way up the steep hill Al made a joke that it would be funny if we hitch hiked. The next thing we knew a larger than life Jamaican lady was shouting 'Get in, Get in' so we did. Her daughter was getting married on the beach so she was driving up to the top carpark to pick up some Americans.

Lorna called home to wish her mum and dad a happy anniversary, and also received some bad news. Rest in Peace Auntie Joan xx.