More Animals!

Mom also liked the prarie dogs. They looked funny to me.

A Peaceful Mountain of Excitement

Mom was very excited when Tai Shan got out of his cave and put on a show for us. She often gets excited when I run around too, so I didn't feel too jealous.

Tai Shan!

We also went to the Washington, D.C. zoo to see Tai Shan. Last time I went he was just a baby in his mommy's tummy. Now you can see him in the cave behind me. It was exciting to see how much he has grown. I must be a late bloomer because I am older than him but much smaller. I'm sure I'll grow more soon.

Washington Monument

Strange Panda kept reading the map wrong, so we couldn't find the Washington Monument, until Mom pointed out it was the giant white needle we kept seeing. I jumped on her head to give her some shade.

Inside Me

We went to the natural history museum in D.C., and there was an exhibit on platypuses. It was weird seeing what my insides look like. I've never had an x-ray.

Hot and Tired in Washington

The first place we drove to was Washington, D.C. It was very hot in the summer, about 100 degrees. When we stopped to check the map, we made sure to drink lots of water.

Off to the U.S.!

Bill and I got to go to America for a month in the summer. We didn't drive there, but once we were there Dad let us drive the car some. I helped Bill reach the steering wheel.

Salzburg Fortress

Dad took us on a hike to the top of the cliff in the middle of the town. There is a big fortress up there, and we had to sit on the wall for this picture. It made me a little scared, because it was a long way down. Even Bill was scared and pushed against me tightly because I am more solid. Luckily, everything was alright. That night we got to go home, and we slept all the way.

Salzburg Dome

In the afternoon we went to Salzburg to spend the night. This is the Dome, a big church in the center of town. We didn't sleep there though.

Cable Car Terror

On the way down the mountain, I was not quite as afraid as before because Becky was braver (but I was still scared). Bill assured me it was safe, but he is just a platypus, not an engineer, so I was not so confident.

The Rock

Chris and Gisella came down from the mountaintop and told us that Chris had proposed, so they are going to get married. Chris gave Gisella something he called a ring, but it was more the size of a bracelet for me. It looked tasty, but Mom said I couldn't eat it. I think she may have let Bill have a nibble when I wasn't looking though.

Holding on for Dear Life

After our hike up the scary mountain, we got to have some ice cream at a cafe. Claire held me so I wouldn't fall off the mountainside.

Cute and Sitting on Top of the World

Don't we look even cuter with the Alps in the background?

The Very Top

We wanted to get just a little bit higher than the top, so we got on Becky's shoulders.

At the Top

From the cable car station, we climbed the rest of the way to the peak of the mountain. Becky posed for this picture with us at the top. Isn't it pretty?

Cable Car Picture

By the end of the ride, Becky and Strange Panda felt a little better because the ground was closer.

Cable Car Adventure

We took a cable car up to the top of a mountain. Mom and I weren't afraid, but Becky and Strange Panda were terrified.

Resting in Wolfgang See

We got a bit tired walking around Wolfgang See, so we rested on a bench with Claire, Mom, and Becky. Shortly afterward we went back to St. Gilgen on the boat again.

Wolfgang See Archway

Here we are under an archway by the church.

Wolfgang See

Strange Panda and I took this picture by the lake in Wolfgang See. It was so pretty we didn't fight or argue at all.

Cool Panda

I got to wear Chris' cool sunglasses too! Don't I look like a cool panda?

Chris and Me

Chris posed with me giving a peace sign. It was just like I remember from Japan!

Boat Cuddle

Claire gave me a nice cuddle during the boat ride.

Boat Ride to Wolfgang See

We took a boat ride across the lake to Wolfgang See, another nice village. I got lots of cuddles on the boat ride.

Hide and Seek Part 2

He couldn't find us this time though. Can you?

Hide and Seek

We played a quick game of hide and go seek in front of the youth hostel, but Dad found us this time.

St. Gilgen

St. Gilgen was a lovely town. There were lots of nice houses like this one.

Bus Ride Part 2

Then Claire and I posed while Sarah showed something to Bill out the window.

Bus Ride to St. Gilgen's

Claire and I watched a fancy monitor in the bus during the ride to St. Gilgen from Salzburg. Meanwhile Sarah and Bill posed for the camera.

Trip to Salzburg

We had a nice trip to Salzburg last weekend. We got to drive in a car for many hours. Claire gave us many cuddles.

Bedtime!

That night I had a long sleep in the hotel bed.

A Rest

After all my travel around the city, I was exhausted, so I had a rest on a park bench by the river.

Tyne Bridge

I went to the Sage Gateshead where Dad was attending the conference. It has a lovely view of the Tyne Bridge, which was built by the same company as the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Gateshead Millenium Bridge

I walked across the Gateshead Milennium Bridge. It is a curved, low bridge which can swing up to 25 meters high to let boats in.

Newcastle Old Town

After I saw the gate, I took a wander through the old part of the city. Stairs are a bit difficult though, and Newcastle is built on a hill.

The Black Gate

While Dad was at a conference in Newcastle, I got to wander around the city on my own. This is the Black Gate, the last remaining gate to the castle which Newcastle is named after. The gate was built in 1250, which makes it slightly older than me.

Mom and Big Cat

Here's Mom giving Big Cat a cuddle.

Eva and Family

Mom and Dad went off on the last day to visit Brian's friends Eva and Asier, and their new baby Mikel. I didn't go because I was afraid of getting too dusty in the park (and that the baby might try to eat me).

The Wedding

Mom and Dad went to Francisco and Fatima's wedding, but we weren't allowed because we didn't have fancy clothing with us.

Chris

Here's a picture of Chris. He is squinting because my beauty is so radiant, not because it was a really sunny day.

A Huge Fan

Gisella and Chris from London also came to meet us. Everyone said they were going to a Spanish wedding, but I think they wanted to see me and Strange Panda in the flesh. At the Palacio Real, Gisella begged and pleaded for a photo, so we agreed to let her take one with us. When I learn how to hold a pen, I will autograph the photo for her.

Palacio Real

We also got to visit the Palacio Real on our day out of the hotel. Dad said that means Royal Palace in Spanish. It seems much too small to live in, as Strange Panda is taller than the first two floors. I wonder if there are any other platypuses who have visited here?

Madrid Plaza Mayor Again

Here we are again in front of the Plaza Mayor. This time there is a nice close-up of me and Bill.

Madrid Plaza Mayor

Today we ventured out of the hotel room. It was very hot for us animals though. Mom posed for a picture with us inside the Plaza Mayor.

Colegio Mayor Mendel

This is where Dad used to live (the building, not the cars). But I didn't get to go visit it, because I was too busy sleeping.

Spain!

We got to take a trip to Madrid in May. It was a lot of fun. We stayed in a hotel room with two separate beds. It was great. There was one for me and one for Bill! Occasionally Mom and Dad were in the hotel room too.

More Glasses

The glasses look better on me than on Bill. I look very sophisticated and intelligent!

Me Too!

I have lovely close-ups too!

Another Picture of Me

Aren't pictures of me great?

Can't See Clearly

Mom got worried I was nearsighted, so she had me try on some glasses. They made everything all fuzzy though.