Bio-Park Excursion - Japan Zoo: 1, USA Zoo: 0

What a wild day! I mean that literally! We went to the Bio-Park today which is basically a really cool zoo in which you can enter the "cages" of many of the wildlife, feed others, and just a few are you only able to view from a distance (i.e. Hippos, Zebras, Americans, etc)

As you saw in the previous post, Jey's family came by for a visit and then Jey & Ellen joined them for lunch. Once they got back everyone piled into the van and we all headed to the Bio-Park... minus a sick Mr. Huggins (Yes, he's doing better and will be joining us again tomorrow).

Arriving at the Bio-Park Melinda finds she can barely contain her excitement

Right at the entrance Kim falls in love with the first animal she sees

Unfortunately Pastor Will is attacked by a vicious man-of-the-cloth eating snake

The Spider Monkeys, looking a bit underfed, were hoping that the vile snake would share the spoils.

Up ahead we enter the Green House with 100% humidity. Everyone got a chance to experience what it's like for me. ;) Kaitlyn just had to cool off.. unfortunately only her toes got to enjoy the brief respite from the drenching heat.

LEaving the green house everyone rushed to the nearest fan in search of relief from the heat and humidity. I never thought I'd walk out into this weather and feel relief that it was "cooler."

Next up were the Flamingos! They sure look beautiful... from a distance. Up close I began to notice the mean dispositions, beady eyes, and chicken legs.

Everyone decided to try and mimic the flamingos by standing on one leg...

Melinda and I showed them how it's really done. Notice the graceful posture, the hunched back which nicely imitates the beautiful curved back of the elegant flamingo. You'll also notice the raised leg placement which is in most natural state you will find a flamingo when at rest. Also noticeable is the limp-wrist and extended forearm which really shows of the lines of the flamingos hauntingly beautiful neck. Topping off the flamingo imitation is the correct choice in shirt colors. Pink and Orange, the traditional color of the flamingo coat is a necessary accessory if you want to successfully imitate a flamingo.

Following these basic steps and applying them with years of practice you too can become masters of the Flamingo Imitation like my sister and I have become.

Alternately... you can just walk through the Bio-Park totally unprepared and act like a real goof ball when you come upon the flamingos. It's your call.

Snow Cone with some kind of milk toping. It was very good (well, the strawberry side was... the melon side tasted.. well, like melons)

Everyone decided to stop and get something to eat or drink. The pouring down rain and sudden thunderstorm had nothing to do with that decision.... no really... it didn't...

Okay Okay... maybe just a little bit. But don't tell the folks back home in Oregon that we let a little bit of rain get us running for shelter.

No, She's not riding that poor turtle.. She's just holding up so I can see if my baby sis truly does have a "turtle neck" at times. ;)

Jey felt that his "goathood" was being challenged, so he issued forth a challenge to the Alpha Goat. Fortunately for Jey, he won without a single blow being exchanged.

Time to feed the goats. I wonder... Pastor Will seems to like Dog Food, do you think he ate some goat food too?

I guess these guys aren't getting enough food... trying to eat the fence is a good sign of that. The Capybara's were the kindest, gentlest most good natured vermin I've ever met.

Others seemed to like playing with these rodents too. Apparently it doesn't matter to anyone that the Capybara's extended family members caused more human deaths than any other animal I know of. I'm talking about the black plague!

Next up... Porcupine! What a better way to feed a porcupine than with a sling shot!

The Otters were a huge hit. They had the most precious and adorable cry... at least that is what the womenfolk told me. If you ask me, just thought the women were being scammed. I'm sure it's one big racket in which the park and otters are both involved. The otters "cry" at the passing womenfolk, and those weak hearted individuals rush off to buy the "poor adorable" otters dinner. This is a win-win situation... the park gets our money, the otters get free food.

Yup. That's a rhino.
The middle one... that's ME on the left.

Rhino Head.
Study it.
Learn it.
Understand it.
Love the Rhino Head.

"Going Native"

Pastor Will imitates a rhinonocerous. If you ask me, I can't tell it from the real thing!

Lesser (Red) Panda. My favorite guy in the zoo.

Try to ignore the turtle in the background which just drug itself over it's own poo. Instead, focus on the cool one who's just chillin and hanging out while Katie C. draws him.

Chillin' Like Villins

The Monkey is on the left and Geneva is on the right.

While they were busying trying to kiss the fish through the glass... I was trying to figure out how to sneak a fishing pole into the park.

An Armadillo!
What you don't see is the smell.

Trust us... it was a vile smell!

After Pastor wills miraculous recovery from the man-of-the-cloth eating snake he sought Kim's company on his way back through the green house.

ARen't they cute? I mean... those are the best looking teeth you've ever seen, right?
Oh.. the girls aren't looking too shabby either.

Playing Park Posing Picture

I hope you like it Brent.... not only did you get this umbrella from Auntie... but Uncle Steve will be sending you a t-shirt with a frog on it.

Very Delicious Spaghetti

And that's all she wrote for tonight. I might possibly have some more later... but I wouldn't count on it.

Tomorrow morning we wake up very early and have breakfast. We need to be in the vans and on the road by 7:45 AM in order to make it to the Naval Base where we will be playing Ultimate Frisbee against the Navy Divers.

It's 12:30 AM local time here in Japan and I'm tired... I hope everyone enjoys todays post!