A Birthday Trip and a Day With the Birds

We took a trip in mid-October of 2018, centered around a birthday. We celebrated one evening inside, marking the occasion with a slice of layered cake and a bright, crackling sparkler. It was a simple, happy moment.

During our stay, we took in the view from a high point overlooking the city. It was a grey, overcast day, and the skyline was a mix of skyscrapers and residential buildings nestled into the lush, green hillsides that met the water.

We also spent a sunny afternoon at what must have been an aviary or bird sanctuary. It was an outdoor space with ponds and large enclosures. One memorable resident was a white cockatoo with a bare chest, perched quietly on a branch.

The main event was getting to interact with the parrots directly. The kids were able to hold several of them, from a large red-and-green macaw that sat heavily on an arm to smaller, more colorful birds that perched calmly on their hands. It was a quiet, focused experience, just watching these creatures up close.