Penguins, Koalas, & Wallabies, oh my!

The last few days we have hit the road and have explored the greater area of Victoria, Australia. Kellie and her husband Mark have been gracious enough to show me Australia, tourist style, by taking me to Phillip Island and along the Great Ocean Road.

Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island attracts over 3 million visitors annually. This is without question, due to the world famous nature parks located here. The Penguin Parade alone brings in tourist from all over. The island has much more to offer than the chance to watch Little Penguins emerge from the ocean as dusk falls however. Phillip Island is also home to Churchill Island Heritage Farm, The Koala Conservation Centre, and another beautiful scenic area, the Nobbies. We went to them all with our 3-park pass! (It is FREE to visit the Nobbie's and Seal Rocks.)

Mark's family owns a holiday house on the island, so we were fortunate to stay there while on the island. We loaded the car Friday and headed for the island. We stopped along the way in Dandenong for dinner where we dinned to live music being played by local musician, James Vincent. (He had actually played at Kellie and Mark's wedding too, so it was fun to meet him and listen to him.) We arrived to the house late and quickly unpacked the car and settled in for the night.

We walked along the sandy shore & then inland on a trail to a lookout.

Saturday we went for a walk along the beach and then into town to get some groceries for lunch and some nibbles (snacks) to eat during the Footy Grand Final. We bought some sausages and kangaroo kabobs to throw on the barbie  for lunch and some cashew and sweet chili dip & biscuits (crackers) for the game.  Kangaroo, is more like a red meat, close to steak from my experience. Not bad, but not that good either.

My 1st Kangaroo. I hope the next one I see is jumping with a joey in it's pouch.

The Grand Final is similar to our Superbowl. People brag (cheer) for their team, and enjoy the game with friends and family. We watched it just the three of us together, but there was plenty of excitement. The game was a nail-biter, ending in a draw. Funny thing was, that the way they break the tie is a re-match a week out. Now, can you just imagine the Superbowl finishing with a draw and the two teams going home only to return the following week to do it ALL over again?

Collingwood (b&w) and St. Kilda (red, b&w) tie in ALF Grand Final 2010

That night Kellie and I went to the Penguin Parade. People flock to the beach before dusk and sit there and wait for the Little Penguins to brave crossing the open beach, back to their nests. We waited patiently as the tourist filled the cement bleacher viewing area. Pictures are not allowed to be taken, as the flash scares the penguins. They would emerge from the water, debate going back into the water, and then hustle up the beach in groups of  about five. As we walked back to the visitor's center we were able to see them up close, walking alongside the path and waiting outside their nests.

Little Penguins leaving the ocean to head back up to their nests for the night

A sleepy Koala rests in a Gum Tree at the Koala Conservation

Kellie accompanied me to the Koala Conservation Center and Churchill Island Heritage Farm. At the Koala Conservation we walked around the park in search of Koalas, Wallabies, and more than a handful of birds, whom all call the center home. We eventually were able to spot a few Koalas high up in some gum trees. They are big fluff balls that rarely move (as they have a low energy diet, and sleep for up to 20 hrs a day.) Regardless, they seemed quite cute. Crazy enough they always seemed to be sitting on the thinnest and flimsiest branches. I also saw a few Wallabies, which are similar to Kangaroos, but smaller, and plenty of birds including: Galahs, Kookaburras, and Rainbow Pitta.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree...

A Wallaby tries to hide behind branches, but without success.

 After making our way through the Conservation Center we went to Churchill Island, a heritage farm that offered great views, a barn with daily activities such as sheep shearing and cow milking, and a chance to go back in time and tour the old farm house. Visiting here reminded me of going to Bauman's Farms with my family last October. Great place to pack a picnic and take the little ones to see the animals and farm.

The Nobbies and Seal Rock, at Phillip Island, Australia

We then went back to the house to pack and load up. We weren't ready to leave the island just yet however. We drove back across the island to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. it was refreshing to see the coastline again and with the sun out, it felt great to walk around the park. We were lucky enough to even spot a few visitors here - a couple Little Penguins that had decided to stay home today! With the daylight and my flash off I took a  picture of one of these little guys.

A Little Penguin hides under the boardwalk...

Mesha enjoying the warm sun at the Nobbies on Phillip Island, OZ

We got home and ate dinner then were off to bed in preparation of our next big trip, the Great Ocean Road. Figuring I didn't have exact plans for my trip we figured we'd head up the coast for some scenic views...

St. Kilda Street and Beach

Wednesday September 22
After a day of shopping we ended up on St. Kilda, right by the water. With the beach within a arm's reach we had to go. On our way to the water Kellie showed me Luna Park, a carnival place similar to Oaks Park, but nicer. We were able to walk around it without paying to enter which was nice. Then we went to the beach. The sun was setting and the presence of the palm trees that lined the boardwalk reminded me that this wasn't the Oregon Coast, although the brisk weather made me think otherwise.

Mesha at the entrance to Luna Park...this attraction is hard to miss.

We decided to warm up by having some coffee and cake on Acland Street. It is known for it's little cake places. Store after store offered a wide variety of cakes and pastries. We finally settled on one and went inside to order. I had a cherry strudel and a hot cocoa. It was amazing!

St. Kilda Beach at sunset. It was breezy but very lovely.

How I ever was able to decide on just one sweet, I don't know.

Afterwards we headed to Kellie's aunties to drop her mom off. We went inside to say hello but ended up being invited to dinner. I enjoyed our dinner of ribs, nachos, and tacos while we chatted. trying to learn about Australia more and them asking about the US we went back and forth asking various things. (Kellie's younger cousin looks to study in Michigan on a swim scholarship.) After dessert and even a second offering of dessert we were on our way back home.

Realization #1: I don't like shopping.  I have tagged along on many trips doing such lately to help Kellie find a dress and shoes for her awards ceremony this weekend. But all and all its been good to see different areas of the city and has given me a chance to people watch in great lengths and so, in the end its been a good intro to living so far away from home and what I know.  I'm still new to Aussie life and while I feel like it is very similar to home, I realize it is indeed a foreign land.  - Mesha

From a land down under...

It is Monday morning. I awoke today to the smell of fresh bread baking. I could hear birds singing and felt more rested than I have in days. With Kellie off playing netball and Mark at work I decided to write a little before delighting in my morning toast and tea.

The first day I arrived Kellie (my friend whom is generously taking me in) picked me up at the airport and we went back to her home in Greensborough, a suburb just north of Melbourne. I did my best to stay awake all day, but after venturing out to the Plaza with Kellie, it became obvious that I needed to rest.

The Plaza is a shopping center near Kellie's home. It reminded me of Pioneer Place a bit. An indoor mall where one may find most anything one may need...including many stores we have back home like Target, Footlocker, and The Body Shop. The ease of fitting in with the English speaking Aussies surprised me. I did not feel like a tourist. Australia didn't feel like home, but felt as if I was just visiting another state, new to me (at least so far).

That night we ordered Take Away (take-out) as it is a tradition to do so on Friday evening. Many Americans do the same by ordering pizza on Fridays, here however they order Fish & Chips. I delighted in potato cakes, freshly fried fish, and chips (french fries) with Kellie, her husband Mark, and their friend Katie as we watched Footy, Aussie Rules Football. I crashed soon after the game's end.

The next morning I awoke feeling rested and was ready to explore. Kellie and Mark had decided that they would take me into the city and show me the sites. Mark was very knowledgeable of the city's history and an excellent tour guide. Kellie seemed to be just as excited as me about touring the city and had her camera out, if not even more than myself.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River (near the MCG and Rod Laver Arena)

I started to realize that this big city was not a US city, but Melbourne as we passed by Rod Laver Arena, the home of the Australian Open. I became giddy and requested to walk over to the arena to get a better look at it. People where playing at the courts (which you can hire for $40/hr). While steep to play a set of
tennis, it may be worth it to be able to say you've played where all the tennis superstars have.

Mesha in front of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The city is divided into two parts by the Yarra River. We walked along the river to Federation Square: Melbourne's Meeting Place (similiar to Pioneer Square, but with more going on) the visiter's center, past the iconic Flinder's Street Train Station, and then we walked along the riverside to Southgate, along the southbank, which allowed us spectacular views of the city and the river.

Federation Square: Melbourne's Meeting Place in Melbourne, Australia

Flinder's Street Station (for suburban trains in/out of Melbourne)

view across the Yarra River  from Southgate of a Pedestrian Bridge

Another view of the city...we managed to escape just as the dark clouds rolled in.

We then made our way to the docklands and with rain approaching, we boarded the City Circle (the free tram that does a loop in the city) and headed back to the other side of the city.  Back at home Kellie cooked up some schnitzel (chicken with bread crumbs) with some mashed potatoes (which I attempted to help peel) and fresh veggies. And then we watched Footy again! I love this sport!

Sunday I was not feeling well, and so I decided to stay home from Bendigo and Nan's 90th (a 2 hr drive north) and rest. I spent the day in bed. I slept for the majority of the day and watched a video I had downloaded about food in Melbourne. By the evening I was feeling much better and was able to enjoy the company of Mark and his friends visiting from Switzerland whom were a delightful couple gearing up to backpack in Alice Springs before returning to Grindelwald, Switzerland (a place I've actually been).

I am finally caught up with today. Its a chilly 13 degrees celcius (which is about 55 degress farenheit), so as I have sat here and typed I have made sure to keep my tea close at hand. I hope to plan more of my trip and may venture out to the plaza...or stay in. I'm on holiday! - Mesha

The Land before Oz

It is actually Wednesday, September 15, 2010 despite what time the log says for this post. I am unable to connect to wi-fi here at LAX (I know weird, right, if any airport should have it…) so in lieu of such, I decided to write down my thoughts for the day and post them later…

From the way the morning began, it seemed as if I was in for a long day.  One delayed bus, meant one missed bus, which turned a 1-½ hour trip to the Denver airport into a 2-½ hr trip. Luckily for myself, after I finally arrived at the airport, things seemed to progress without a hitch.  Now in LA, I am in high spirits that by the day’s end, that I will be on my way to the southern hemisphere…and beyond.

It took me no time at all to transfer terminals and check-in for my flight to Australia and thus within minutes I was at my gate. The only problem was, that it was only 5pm and my flight didn’t leave until 11:30pm. So, I wandered around.

6:00PM

I decided to sit down at a gate that was completely “dead." Empty seats went on for rows. Not a single other person was visible, and yet my chosen seat was the hard cold carpet. I sat here so that I could plug in my computer and charge my phone. It was nice to sit in solitude in a place that seems to never sleep.

8:00PM

Sitting more comfortably in a chair now, the hustle and bustle of people arriving has awakened the gate. I found myself wondering where they were all going…then I’d realize they were probably going the same place I was, to Australia. I am to board a plane to Australia. It is FINALLY setting in.

10:00PM

My hand is clenched around my boarding pass and passport as if they are one in themselves. I am ready to board. I am eager to board. I know that here is where the adventure starts…   -Mesha

15-1/2 hrs later, I awoke to my 1st glimpse of Oz.

The new "post it"

Reality is finally setting in. I am departing the country and heading to Australia in a few short days... All I can say is that I'm nervous, but yet thrilled all at the same time. I am doing this! 

For the last 4 years I have worked for Hillsboro Parks and Recreation. There I have had various roles and duties. While I have enjoyed working there and have learned a lot...I realize that I want to EXPLORE the world more RIGHT NOW.

And so, I am leaving behind those all so familiar Post-Its from the office. From now on my "post its" will no longer come in the form of brightly colored, small, sticky-backed papers, but a series of blog posts that I will share with you here. More importantly, it is here, that I will share pictures with you from my travels, interactions, and adventures to come...

here's to EXPLORING. DREAMING. AND LIVING the dream to explore.   -Mesha