extreme Koala cuteness:

[tblue37]

Link to tweet

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. When in Australia in 2018....

I saw them at the Taronga and the Irwin Zoos in Sydney. I was able to pet a kangaroo without being punched. So cool.

[spooky3]

2. We may have crossed paths! I love koalas too and was at Taronga then.

Got to hold a koala named Major at a preserve in Brisbane.

[drmeow]

3. When I did it

the person who had been ahead of me had a problem with her picture so the handler went over to resolve it. I got to hold the koala for double the normal time. I LOVED it.

[spooky3]

4. Wow! Lucky you! Nt

[drmeow]

5. I know!

My husband was after me in line and I kept looking at him like "OMG, OMG, OMG - I'm still holding it." I have the biggest s**t eating grin on my face in my picture.

Petting a tiger was also pretty epic - although, in retrospect, I don't feel very good about how it was done.

[spooky3]

6. Understood. At the Brisbane preserve, I bought kangaroo food

And approached a large group of Roos behind a fence. One young one came over and ate from my hand. I gently tried to scratch its ears, but it grabbed and held my hand as if to say, “Hey! No petting. just eating.” I complied and wished I had bought more food as other little ones began to approach.

[drmeow]

7. I can't remember if we fed the roos

I have pictures of me in an enclosure with them (like, 2 feet away) but I don't remember feeding them.

I'm assuming you were at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - definitely one of the highlights of that trip (17 days in Australia, 11 days in New Zealand)

[spooky3]

8. Yes, that was it. What a wonderful trip you must have had. Nt

[drmeow]

9. I've been incredibly lucky

My husband's conferences are often in interesting places and I've been able to travel to some amazing places for work, too. Although the most recent incredible trip wasn't work related - just got back a week ago from a cruise to Antarctica - got my 7th continent and crossed into the Antarctic circle!

One of the differences between liberals and conservatives - we are much more likely to be interested in traveling and seeing/interacting with other peoples and cultures. I feel sorry for them! They are missing out on so much!

[spooky3]

10. I totally agree. I was lucky to have work-related travel

To interesting places too. To me that was ideal because I got a much better insight into the culture (than if I were only a tourist) because I was working with people who lived there. I’m retired now and regret not taking advantage of more travel opportunities.

I cringe when I hear Republicans talk about “exceptionalism” and “we’re the greatest country in the world.” In some ways, we may be, but only if you travel do you see how other countries are the greatest in other ways.

[drmeow]

11. Totally agree!

IMO every country and culture has areas where they are exceptional and areas where they are anything but!

Your work life sounds great - traveling internationally for conferences is nothing like working internationally.