What made us laugh so much?
It was not:
- that she was blonde - that was to be expected,
- that she is wearing a safari outfit - well, we don't have a national costume and at least it's not pink.
Nor was it the written letter on the back of the box although that gave us quite a few giggles,
particularly the mention about koala bears. The first thing every Australian learns is that a koala is NOT a koala bear. Everytime we are taught about koalas, we hear, "They are no relation at all to bears. They are just koalas." And the 'returning boomerang' - is there any other kind?
No, what really made us laugh was this:
Believe me, that is NOT the way you hold a koala, even a baby one.!
THIS is the way you hold a koala:
(this photo courtesy of my husband, taken for our local newpaper)
And you can see why - those claws are designed for hanging on to trees in all kinds of weather and the koala on Barbie's arm is hanging on as though it was climbing a tree. So, if you buy Aussie Barbie, I recommend you have Doctor Barbie on hand when you take her out of her box - she is definitely going to need medical attention.
Loved this post! I've always loved koala...bears. LOL! I just couldn't resist. You get lemon curd and real koalas! I am so jealous. So who's the other cutie in the picture? Is that your husband or just a guy that resembles Brad Pitt from the side? I hadn't given any of the DOTW a second glance, so I didn't even know she came with a koala. Now that outfit is looking really cute, too. It has an Indiana Jones vibe. Darn you!
ReplyDeleteYes, koalas are really cute and placid except when they are mating. Then two koalas sound like a herd of wild pigs fighting (like Murphy's pigs for any 'Footrot Flats' fans - something the textbooks don't mention). No, my husband was the one behind the camera, this cutie is a wildlife carer from "Zoo comes to You' who bring a variety of native animals into schools so kids can see them and learn about them. In fact, to keep a koala you have to have a special permit and be an accredited wildlife carer. We tend to have more possums, king parrots, rosellas and the odd echidna in our garden. And yes, Barbie's outfit is very cute and looks quite well made.
DeleteBarbie looks like she doesn't even know there is a koala on her arm. She is gazing off into the distance totally unaware of the danger about to befall her. LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe she's watching for her returning boomerang. LOL
DeleteI am not saying that the Barbie koala has a special smile on his face and that he's holding on to Barbie for any other reason BUT to welcome her to Australia. (Yeah right.) And so what if he grabs her with both arms AND both feet? Legs intertwined to hold on ... Now that's just the koala being welcoming. Yep.
DeleteThis particular Barbie acts as though if she ignores the nice koala, it will disappear. She just has to pretend that it really is NOT climbing her arm like a thin tree trunk.
Cheese, Barbie!
LOL, well, we do have very welcoming koalas here in
DeleteAustralia. Maybe Barbie thinks she just has to grin and 'bear' it.
Grin and 'bear' it? LOL. Well, that's very Barbie of her ;-D
DeleteAnd totally like Mattel to consider the koala an accessory to Barbie in Australia. Guess she needed the koala to confirm that she was in Australia, lol. (Oh and the koala does look cute. Not its fault, it was doped with whatever happy juice Mattel shoots Barbie's animal "friends" with.)
Hello from Spain: thanks for the advice and recommendation. A very ironic entry. Anyway I love this Barbie. I think I will buy. Keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteHi Marta, yes it was ironic- that's very much part of the Australian sense of humour. I would love to know what others thought of the Barbies for their countries. I'm glad you like Australian Barbie and when you get her, I look forward to seeing her in one of your dios sometime.
ReplyDeleteLol great post! Those claws on that koala looks really dangerous! Not sure if I would even want to hold one! That would just freak me out lol. I will just enjoy them in photos:)
ReplyDeleteHi Chynadoll, well the koalas claws are designed for climbing and digging in to eucalyptus trees so they are quite pointed and sharp although as you can see, the real koala is trying not to dig his claws into the guy holding him - they really are generally placid. But you're right, I wouldn't want one trying to climb me.
ReplyDelete