The zoo and its patrons

I realize that most animals in zoos are born in captivity and are ignorant to the real conditions of their living state, after all, don't we all qualify for that statement? But I can't help but wonder if the animals are as intrigued by their visitors as we are of them? Imagine yourself for a moment, as an attraction at a local state fair. Justin, you can be the bearded lady, Jarrod you can be the jolly red giant. Who would it be more fun for, the people looking at you, or you looking at the loathsome miserable slobbering masses that point fingers and laugh when if they only used toothpaste and deodorant would be separated from the beasts whom they choose to mock?
Well here's another adventure. The Foley's go to the Zoo!
I am sorry that the last slide show was so fast. I couldn't figure out if there was a way to slow it down once posted. I hope this one will be better.
The Honolulu Zoo is actually in Waikiki near the aquarium. The zoo is very near the beach and the main walk of Waikiki. A few weeks prior, while having dinner with the De Rykes, Aunt Brenda asked us if we would be interested in going to the zoo with them. At the very mention of the word 'zoo' Hannah perked up and lept to her feet yelling 'zoo zoo zoo!' April looked at me with the look of 'if I could only raise an eyebrow...' and the vote was cast with one over zealous 4 year old in near panic on her chair. Hannah has been to the Hogle Zoo before and there had communed with kindred (poo throwing) spirits, hence the excitement. We set a date and made the necessary arrangements. A day or two prior, the Myers's decided to accompany us but due to time constraints, felt it best to break off from the main group and rush through the attractions, so they won't be in any of my pictures. Jenny and Ethan were still with us that day so you will be graced with their presences. A courtesy we no longer have, since they have moved back to Utah to sort out their situation. We set out one bright Hawaiian Saturday morning. Don insisted on taking us out to breakfast first. No complaints from me, eh! They took us to a beach side hotel and we entered a very lavish buffet. The restaurant was on the bottom floor adjacent to the beach. It was an open ended room with no walls separating you from the vistas. One side was buffet, the other, the ocean. Within steps of our table was the beautiful Waikiki beach park, crashing blue waves and scores of tropical plants and birds. The buffet was equally glorious, tropical fruits, pastries, sausages, breads, potatoes, eggs, juices, the works. A glorious breakfast spread! I ate myself sick. Yeeeah baby, sick! Hannah gorged on the sausage and pineapple and Abbi was quite happy with chunks of pastries and guava juice. mmmmmm...just the thought of steaming coconut pound cakes and Portuguese sausage slices on top of scrambled pepper eggs and fried hash browns all garnished with fresh pineapple and mango slices, well, are you salivating too? Wait what was I taking about? Oh yeah, the zoo....ahem..... so after breakfast the wagon train headed over to the zoo, not far from the restaurant. There is a large grassy park picnic area in front of the main entrance. Being that it was a Saturday the park was full of people. Some with families and strollers, preparing to enter the zoo, others with torn shopping bags and grungy beards, just waking up on the wrong side of the park bench. And every sort of person in between. Parking was a bit of a fiasco, but we managed a spot or two and the group headed up the walk to the gates. The park is surrounded by a 15+ foot fence. It spans the length of one large city block. The gates were typical of the tourist traps in the area and had gift shops on either side. The admission was surprisingly very low for locals, only $4! The zoo itself is spread out in a near diamond shape with the gates at the bottom point. Overall the amount of planning and organization of the Honolulu Zoo is dwarfed by Hogle but is was a great day nonetheless. We took lots of pictures of our own animals instead of those as permanent residences because everyone has seen a zebra, but not everyone has seen Hannah petting a goat. Aside from the very nice exhibits, there was a petting zoo for the kids. The best part was the scruffy pigs and the playful goats. The goats were kept in an area with climbing posts and a cargo net for the children to climb on. All of the goats were very tame and would lick the faces of unsuspecting kids and the parents (me) holding them. Yah, I got slobbered on by a Capra Hircus. There was also a large fish tank with plexiglass tunnel going through it. The kids could climb in and be totally engulfed in Koi and other big shiny fish. The llamas weren't so friendly. In fact, I dare say that sucka wanted a piece of me. Maybe it was just that particular one, but she had a disposition that would make a grown man cry.....almost.... We spent the better part of the day at the zoo and after three large sno-cone with ice cream in the bottom, and a bowl of dip'n'dots, we headed home with two exhausted kids. It was a grand adventure that we owe, again, to Don and Brenda. They truly are wonderful family members and friends.