PENGUIN PARADE

PENGUIN PARADE

Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Warning. Read with caution. The following is a bit of a rant about how we fell into a prime tourist trap, and may not revolve completely around fluffy baby penguins and stories about the cute ways they waddle. So, we arrived on gorgeous Phillip Island, Victoria, on Saturday evening. We drove ‘efficiently’ for 10 long hours after leaving Jindabye in order to make the famous penguin ‘parade’ by dusk. I’ll insert some positive points when possible, to avoid sounding like a Debbie downer. We had the best Subway, in a hurried drive-by stop, to make it to the southwestern tip of the island in time. Fresh bread from the oven, mmmmm….we were in a happy place! And speaking of happy, I’ve never seen the animated Happy Feet, but have always wanted to see penguins in their natural habitat. We proceeded with caution as we entered the built-up gates of penguin parade. Little did we know you had to pay to see the penguins in their natural habitat each evening. More than $20.00+/ adult for general stand viewing only! Then they’ve got the ‘prime viewing seats’, the private boxes (yes, just like at an NHL game), and plenty more options to entice the eager traveler willing to part with their impossible-to-rip (side fact for you) Aussi cash. With the thousands that flood this place every day, we quickly did the math. They’re making a killing! Best of all, they advertise it as a high standard of eco-tourism, as a non-profit organization with all funds going to natural conservation projects & protection. Ha, so with all the complaining we did…we couldn’t complain about all the money going towards ‘The Man’.

We can laugh about it now, but we were relentless as we complained on the beach that Saturday night. The guide who gave us the practiced introduction, before the penguins made it in from sea that night, was like a Nazi army-guard as he prowled around, making sure there were no cameras. Flash photography or not, there was no filming or photos allowed (so that you’d have to buy postcards in the giftshop!). It was hilarious to watch the crowds’ heads follow the guide around, making sure he couldn’t see any cameras as they snuck their way out of a sleeve for a zoomed-in image of the tiniest little penguins on earth! The main reason I wanted to see these little guys was to photograph them. I had my big SLR ready for action, but it’s not exactly inconspicuous to pull out, so it stayed in it’s case all night…leaving me completely disappointed. Our guide was throwing around the word ‘confiscated’, so I didn’t dare risk busting it out! Phew. Again, it would have been the perfect photography moments- but my hands were tied! So, we had our Phillip Island experience, it truly was awesome to see the penguins swim in from sea in their little families…waddle along the beach, and make their way inland for the night. The babies have fluffy grey down, and are nearly the size of the little adults. They waddle just like one of our favorite kiwi guys…it’s the most adorable thing! We were educated on the fact that waddling takes much less energy than walking. They’re definitely proficient in their ways!

Upon arriving in Melbourne the next day, we learned that you can go to St. Kilda and see the penguins for FREE…and not just that….see them WITH your camera and all the photography action you want! Ugh. Oh to be a sucker of a tourist, feels great. Good things the little penguins are so darn cute, we truly left with happy feet (and only slightly bitter thoughts). Cheers. d.