It Was A Zoo-per Day

It seems every time we visit family in Oregon, California or Hawaii, we're always ending up at the zoo (for proof, search the archives under the "Just Family Vacation" tag). I was going to suggest skipping the Honolulu Zoo this year, but JS really wanted to go.

And why shouldn't we, really? As this sign near the zoo entrance says, "This is the best zoo to be found for 2300 miles in any direction."


So we put on the sunscreen, grabbed our caps and headed for the zoo Sunday. Yes, JS is wearing a San Diego Zoo baseball cap. *sheepish grin*

You may be wondering why his fingers are in his ears. It's because the animals were quite loud lively the day we went.

No, not this animal.

Nor this one.


I'm talking about these animals, the white-handed gibbon.

They were singing ...

... and swinging all over the place.

The lemurs didn't seem too impressed. ;-)


The gibbons were fun to watch, but we decided to look for the Sumatran tigers that the zoo usually has on display. Unfortunately, the tigers must have been hiding in the shade somewhere. It was, after all, a warm day.

But JS didn't mind. He just said, "Oh well," and then we headed on to the Keiki Zoo (the children's section of the zoo).

We spent some time just watching huge koi fish swim around a large circular tank.


The tank actually is kind of donut-shaped and has a tunnel so children can crawl to the center of the tank, ...

... which is what JS did.

The Keiki Zoo also has a petting area so kids can pet some goats. JS didn't want to do that.

He was more interested in climbing up to the goat viewing area. I preferred to view the goats through the ground-level fence.

Anyone have the urge to read, "Llama llama, red pajama" when looking at this photo? ;-)

JS and my hubby had a lot of fun watching the llama.

I had fun watching this peacock as it crossed our path on our way to get some water.


The last time we came to the Honolulu Zoo (exactly two years ago), officials were working on the lion habitat so that exhibit was closed.

The lions were there Sunday though. :-D

We also saw ostrich, ...

... giraffe, ...

... and a warthog.


Actually, we also saw some hippos and some zebras but I couldn't get a good photo of them. :-/

Oh well. ;-D


By this time, we had spent nearly two hours at the zoo. So instead of taking a leisurely look at all the fun garden decor in the children's garden at the zoo, I snapped some quick pics.

Here's one.

Here's the other.

On our way out, we had to stop at the Komodo dragon exhibit. Why? Because Curious George and the Man With The Yellow Hat were on their way to see a Komodo dragon at the zoo when they got separated at a subway station. (How's that for an explanation?) Don't worry, the Man found George and all was okie-dokie.

After our zoo adventure, we headed for the gift shop (of course). I had planned to just buy a magnet for me and a small souvenir for JS, but I got suckered talked in to buying a stuffed animal to help with the zoo's fundraising efforts.

Yes, JS gets to say he went to the Honolulu Zoo and got to take home an animal. ;-D