Melo Villareal
For me, the best part of traveling is when I get to experience the different and exotic wildlife of other countries. Spending most of my time in the Midwest makes it hard to come across exciting flora and fauna in the wild unless I travel to a unique location.
The closest I have come to seeing something exotic this year is seeing a ferret running through the woods while on a week-long hike. I have a friend whose most exciting experience with wildlife in the middle of the country was a close encounter with a mountain lion while on a hunting trip; it is not the kind of excitement I seek.
The good thing is that I don’t stay in the Midwest for extended periods unless my job calls for it. I’ve had some pretty nifty wildlife encounters by exploring places like Australia, taking safaris in the heart of Africa, hopping on Galapagos Islands cruises, and even exploring Bangkok. Here is a couple that hit a soft spot every time I think about them:
The Heart of Africa
Of course, I must include my journey to Africa on my exotic animal list. It’s hard for most people to not think of animals when they conjure up images of the great African plainlands. On my trip to Africa, I was lucky to witness one of my life’s most impressive things. I saw a group of lions try to attack a hippopotamus, only to make their attempts futile when the giant beast decided to fight back. The hippo is one of the most aggressive and violent creatures, contrary to its depiction in popular culture. It is the number one killer of man on the continent (including lions, crocodiles, and cape buffalo).
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