Before mom’s first weekend in Australia was over, she had already ticked off so many animals on her list. The biggest one, and definitely the most anticipated, didn’t come until Sunday afternoon when we went for a walk in beautiful Burleigh Heads National Park.

While Mikael was out having a business meeting in Burleigh, mom and I went for a walk at Burleigh Heads. Usually, Mikael and I start at the south end by the Cultural Centre and walk north. But to get a good walk in, mom and I started from the north side of the park, walked south, out to the pier on the Tallebudgera Creek Beach side and then back again. The day was gorgeous. The blue sky really makes the colours pop. The turquoise water, the black volcanic rocks, the green palm trees. On an overcast day, it is not even close to the same place even.

We walked all the way south, stood out at the pier for a really long time looking out over the ocean trying to find the gentle giants. But nothing. We decided to head back and when we we’re halfway back on the park, at the same height as the pier, I finally spotted them!

There were two out there playing and splashing like crazy. People who walked past us were jealous that we thought of bringing binoculars. Rightly so if I may be so bold to say. Buying those was such a good investment last year.

For a long while, they were splashing with their back tail backwards, which was a little bit odd.