We visit the Animal Kingdom today in observance of Asia’s twentieth anniversary.

But before Asia is The Oasis. And a duck.

and a duck and a swan…

and a Reeves (Reeves’ / Reeves’s) Muntjac…

and a Babirusa, baby!

Upon arrival in Asia, even though there are “fresh sips inside” and we are invited to “please sit,” we prefer to avoid the allure of sugary carbonation.

The Komodo Dragon is the first denizen of the Maharajah Jungle Trek that one encounters. The temperature at this point is a mere 66ºF/18.89ºC, but the rock upon which this lovely lady reclines is heated for her cold-blooded comfort.

Moving along into, as they say, another part of the forest, we admire fading artwork on the crumbling walls of a Maharajah’s crumbling palace compound…

The following is artistic. Because it’s tilted.

Someone always leaves a cart in a no-cart-parking zone.

Uh Oh. Could this mean there might be a tiger up ahead?

My favorite part of the Trek is the aviary. Look up and behold why we always wear a hat.

If I knew the names of these birds I would tell you.

Pigeon, Victoria Crowned. On the ground…

…and perched above.

Definitely not under glass:

Just at the aviary exit, an incubation station.

Before leaving the park, leave us mobile order our lunch at Pandora, the World of Avatar‘s Satu’li Canteen. Chili-Garlic Shrimp Bowl, i.e., shrimp tossed in a chili-garlic sauce with hearty salad.

Joe Rohde: “Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Mastermind” • on Twitter