Fruit Bats and Hot Springs

One of the girls from the Healesville trip knows and has worked with a woman who fosters flying foxes/fruit bats on her property and was kind enough to arrange an appointment for me to meet some of the bats currently in her care! I was ecstatic to hear I’d be able to have a one-on-one, up-close encounter with one of my favorite animals, ever.  It was a very memorable afternoon; had a cozy lunch (vegemite & cheese sandwich) and chatted about our experiences abroad, and then we were off to see the bats. The bats the woman cares for are Grey-Headed Flying Foxes, which have made it on Australia’s list of native endangered species. They have a terrible reputation for spreading disease (which can only be contracted by a scratch or a bite…highly unlikely) and haven’t gained much public sympathy. So sad to see such beautiful creatures overlooked and misunderstood.  After hanging out with the bats, we went back for a final tour of her backyard.  She grows at least 25 different kinds of fruits, veggies, and herbs. Such an impressive use of space for what you would think is a limited backyard.

THAT FACE

            As if my day couldn’t get any better, one of my roommates had a 6 person voucher to the Mornington Penninsula Hot Springs and decided they would take us all as a sort-of last roommate bonding session.  It was the perfect night for it too- cold, with clear skies. The spa is situated on a hill, with about 20 small pools all leading up to the one at the top (the hottest one with the best view).  We stayed until they closed at 10, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Stopped at a Macca’s (McDonald’s haha) for a late snack and made it back to Melbourne by around midnight. One of the best days I’ve spent in Australia.