Friday, 28 October 2011

Friday 28th October - Bundaberg

Gaz and i went on a road trip to Bundaberg today. We will  be visiting again for new year to watch the turtle hatchlings and maybe visit one or two of the islands around there but today we thought we would go and check out the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. We were up and out of the house by 8.30am...a time of day that Gaz has not seen since our last road trip! Along the Bruce Highway, Gaz spotted a sign for 'Childers, Snakes Down Under' - Next turning right. We thought we would give it a go. We pulled in to a very empty car park at the same time as a family of 4 pulled up. We ventured inside....there was no one else around apart from a very chirpy tour guide. She gave us a talk on snakes, pulling out a numerous number of snakes from different bags. The family of 4 was made up of 2 young boys who had no interest in what the lady was saying but more interested in running their toy cars along the serrated metal edge of the snake pit. Very annoying. After the talk about snakes, the guide gave us the oppertunity to hold one of the snakes from the talk and the fresh water baby crocodile. I dont mind snakes so i was more than happy to have one around my neck...Gaz was in his element and asked lots and lots....and lots of questions. Its nice to see him so interested in something, i didnt realise he had such a passion for reptiles! Here is trevor the black headed python...



And the fresh water croc....





 Thankfully the family wondered off but the tour guide took Gaz and i on a talk of the park showing us each reptile and holding them up for us to touch. I think she appreciated someone (Gaz) being so keen and interested in each reptile. She was very knowledgeable which is just as well to keep up with Gaz's questioning. I took quite a few snaps of the reptiles (which are all on my facebook) but here are 2 of my favourite...



I like this bearded dragon picture because hes so cute! .....



We spent a lot longer than anticipated in the reptile park which wasnt a bad thing. We continued up to Bundaberg and were impressed with the number of shops there. I was expecting a clock tower with a dental practice and maybe one or 2 cafes but no, there was lots there...it reminded me of Hervey Bay only without the beach. We stopped for lunch in a steakhouse and wondered towards the clock tower as my brother, Adam, said his dental practice where he and Gemma worked was nearby. ....I must have looked very crazy taking a picture of the dental practice but here it is...this ones for u, Adam and Gem!


Eventually we made it to our destination - The Bundaberg Rum Distillery. We rocked up, cruised over to the door....and read the sign. 'Enclosed Shoes ONLY to be worn around on the guided tour'. Gaz and i looked down at our bare feet...flip flops. Doh! Luckily inside you could hire plimsoles to wear around. i dread to think how many other peoples sweaty feet had been slipped into them before us. It was very impressive with how much work goes in to making the rum and i offered to drive back to Hervey Bay so that Gaz could enjoy the tasters at the end of the tour. We found out why they use a polar bear as their logo and its apprently because in the 60's no one down south was drinking the rum because they felt it was more of a holiday drink in the hot weather up north...the Bundaberg rum people wanted to change this perception and so wanted an animal that would scare the cold away and warm you up...the only winter animal australia has is the penguin on phillip island so they went for the polar bear....and it worked! Gaz doing his usual questioning thing asked if the Bundaberg rum polar bear came before the coca cola polar bear...the tour guide didnt know. Any way, we didnt end up buying any rum as we already have some in the house but it was an educational afternoon! 

3 comments:

  1. what an educational day! You probably know more than the locals! Mmm not keen on reptiles but they make lovely handbags! x

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  2. Love the photos. I thought all pythons were called Monty!

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  3. Sounds a great day out. Glad it woke Gareth up, when he's enthusiastic he is VERY enthusiastic! Must say that close up of the green lizard/dragon is a brilliant photo. You've got the focussing spot on, on his eye and mouth, his back leg and tail is slightly soft and you've a really nice plain out of focus background all of which draw the eye to his face, The composition is great too with the diagonal branch and the dragon on the 1/3 line. Really well done! Chris x

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