Brisbane Day 6 - Tiger Walk, Lone Pine Sanctuary

Today was our last day in Australia. I guess we were trying to save the best until last. We had booked a 1 hour walk with a tiger at Dreamworld, Coomera. I was a little nervous about being so close to an animal that could rip me apart in seconds, but I figured I didn't have much meat on my bones, so I'd probably be OK.
We arrived at 7:30 in the morning, and were greeted by the photographer, who walked us over to the tiger exhibit. We were promptly meeted by our guide, and then the handlers who brought out Mohan, a white Bengal tiger. Mohan, was 12 years old, and we had previously seen him on an Animal Planet documentary about his 4 cubs, Rama, Sita, Sultan and Taj.
We began our walk, and were immediately led behind, and allowed to pet his back. The only rule was not to go anywhere near the front end, which we were glad to follow.

 

During the walk, Mohan would climb and lick the moss off the various trees.

 


He would also, scratch his claws as high up in the tree as possible. This was used as a sign to other tigers in the area of how big he was. Occasionally tigers would jump and then leave there marks, to try and trick other tigers.


He would also give the tree a little hug before leaving.

Apparently, the moss on the trees was a little like catnip, and made the tigers go a little loopy.






According to the handler, sometimes they would lick a tree that had been scent marked by another tiger, and this would be their reaction.



I guess tiger pee doesn't taste good.

As the walk progressed we got to pose with the tiger for some pictures.



When the walk came to an end, we walked by a place where the staff usually treat Mohan to some milk. Unfortunately, they were out of milk that morning, and Mohan wasn't very happy. He started to whine like a little kitty. He didn't want to go anywhere else without his milk.

On our way back to Brisbane, we stopped off at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a beautiful little place right on the Brisbane river.

We had the opportunity once again, to cuddle a koala.



And I managed to get some more great Koala shots.





Following our last sanctuary visit of our vacation, we continued on the the south bank once again, for lunch, and a little more shopping.

As we were walking around, we stumbled upon a beach that had been build up on the bank along the river. The weather was glorious, and many people were out there sunbathing and enjoying the water.





All along the park here at South Bank, was a walkway lined by curvy posts covered with flowers.




There was also a path which runs all along the bank of the river, overlooking the city.




Anna's Aussie Tidbits:

The banana saga continues. I guess bananas are hot commodities here. They go for about $10 (Australian) a kilo, which is about $3.50 a pound! We had dinner at the Belgium Beer Cafe and guess what was on the menu. Yep, banana beer! You know me, something this unique (at least to me), I got to try it. And you know what, it really tasted like banana.