November 17

Today was more of a rest day than anything else, a much-deserved one after a busy few days and a much-needed one after the previous night's boozing and sing-sing! We did, however, get to an elephant orphanage which rescues elephants from the wild, including ones that have lost their mothers, ones that are saved from poaching and some that have been attacked - one particular elephant even had a scar from a spear that lodged 10 inches into his head. We then went to a giraffe orphanage where you could feel the slimey tongue of a giraffe while you fed them with your own hand. This was cool for photos and a bit of craic. Today, one of our gang, Jodie from Australia, a single mum who started her own business "Zoo to You" while still raising her kids, returned to Cairns. She runs a mobile zoo that she takes to local schools and parties and educates people on Australia's wildlife, I thought hers was a pretty inspirational story, especially given the uniqueness and subsequent success of the business.
And then 11 was 10. On to the Serengeti!

Above: Giraffe eats food, shows me some love.