kevin took me to the chester zoo at 10 a.m. and we walked around for hours in the fairly-nice weather until just before closing time. there was a Batcave (which was actually a HUGE warehouse-like room) there where you walked in and it was really dark with reddish and blueish lights in the ceiling. you could see bats flying around everywhere and touching down on the pond full of giant catfish and stingrays. there was a small 'cave' area to walkthrough and you could feel the air on your face as bats flew by you, just touching your hair. it was one of the coolest things i have ever experienced. i could have spent all day in there, having the bats hover around my head. we went back at the end of the day and stayed in long enough for our eyes to adjust to the dark. i could see the bats all around my head, looking at me and flying around. amazing.
we also saw 'buffy-headed' marmosets who looked nothing like sarah michelle gellar, but were the most high-strung animals i have ever seen. we watched for ages as they snuck up on each other and ju,jumped on heads and pulled tails, and tried to wield giant sticks at each other. one just started doing backflips and handstands, showing off for everyone. they were so mischievous!
and finally, FINALLY, i got to see two tortoises going at it. they pushed each other around for about five minutes until the mounting began. good timing, too as a whole trip of schoolkids came in as it started. one kid asked what they were doing and the adult with them said "uh, they're playing." the kid believed this for a nanosecond until his eyes widened and he said "they're not playing, they're humping"! so funny.
dinner was a very-filling KFC (junk food, yes but the skin is gooood) and dessert would have been ice cream and strawberries, but we were too full. that will be for tonight. all in all, an excellent and fun valentine's day, complete with bats flying around my head and crazy monkeys. who could ask for anything more? (maybe sushi, but i had that a few days ago and i'll have more tomorrow!)
photos from the chester zoo
we also saw 'buffy-headed' marmosets who looked nothing like sarah michelle gellar, but were the most high-strung animals i have ever seen. we watched for ages as they snuck up on each other and ju,jumped on heads and pulled tails, and tried to wield giant sticks at each other. one just started doing backflips and handstands, showing off for everyone. they were so mischievous!
and finally, FINALLY, i got to see two tortoises going at it. they pushed each other around for about five minutes until the mounting began. good timing, too as a whole trip of schoolkids came in as it started. one kid asked what they were doing and the adult with them said "uh, they're playing." the kid believed this for a nanosecond until his eyes widened and he said "they're not playing, they're humping"! so funny.
dinner was a very-filling KFC (junk food, yes but the skin is gooood) and dessert would have been ice cream and strawberries, but we were too full. that will be for tonight. all in all, an excellent and fun valentine's day, complete with bats flying around my head and crazy monkeys. who could ask for anything more? (maybe sushi, but i had that a few days ago and i'll have more tomorrow!)
photos from the chester zoo
ratbugdave:
that bat cave sounds sooo cool!! i want to go!!