Travelling in Australia is easy peasy lemon squeezy. SE Asia was like one long negotiation and in contrast, being here amidst the friendliest people on earth, it almost feels like we're travel cheating. One of my last interactions in Thailand was bargaining over the price of contact lenses in a bargain mall. One of my first interactions in Australia was with the proprietor of a hotel. We had booked a large room to accommodate the 3 of us and, upon arrival, the owner asked how we were all related. After telling him, he checked us in and gave us 2 rooms for the price of the original one, so we could spread out. So, um, slightly different vibe, overall.
An awesome Aussie family we met in Chiang Mai gave us an amazing download of Melbourne and surrounding recommendations, so we barely had to research upon arrival. We didn't have many days to fully explore Melbourne, but were able to cruise the Victoria Market, use the free wifi and visit the museum at Federation Square and wander around St. Kilda. We had cocktails at the fantastically old school and punk rock Hotel Esplanade and watched the kite surfers fly over the bay. We read that one could see penguins at dusk, but since the sun sets here after 9 pm, dinner took precedence.
We left Melbourne on the left hand side of the road and cruised down the Mornington Peninsula. We stopped at Schnapper Point for lunch and a walk, visited a maze and gardens on an old estate, and climbed down butt breaking steps to some seriously violent wind and water at Cape Schanck. We chose the maze because we thought my Mom would really enjoy it, but all of us were pretty down with running through the 10 foot hedges. It made us feel woozy, and secret garden-like.
The following day, Ed was at the helm for the drive to Sorrento for shopping and beaching. Its a swanky and pristine little beach community that manages to have ample parking for the serious Aussie waders, a ton of beige and breezy boutiques, and a couple of old school hotels on the water. We spent a lovely, chill day there, and departed glamorously via car ferry to Queenscliff. Fortunately, I had recently acquired appropriate headwear for just such an occassion. Sadly, there is not yet flattering photo reference available. You'll have to take my word that its straw and has a nice Montecarlo vibe. I'm acclimating.
An awesome Aussie family we met in Chiang Mai gave us an amazing download of Melbourne and surrounding recommendations, so we barely had to research upon arrival. We didn't have many days to fully explore Melbourne, but were able to cruise the Victoria Market, use the free wifi and visit the museum at Federation Square and wander around St. Kilda. We had cocktails at the fantastically old school and punk rock Hotel Esplanade and watched the kite surfers fly over the bay. We read that one could see penguins at dusk, but since the sun sets here after 9 pm, dinner took precedence.
We left Melbourne on the left hand side of the road and cruised down the Mornington Peninsula. We stopped at Schnapper Point for lunch and a walk, visited a maze and gardens on an old estate, and climbed down butt breaking steps to some seriously violent wind and water at Cape Schanck. We chose the maze because we thought my Mom would really enjoy it, but all of us were pretty down with running through the 10 foot hedges. It made us feel woozy, and secret garden-like.
The following day, Ed was at the helm for the drive to Sorrento for shopping and beaching. Its a swanky and pristine little beach community that manages to have ample parking for the serious Aussie waders, a ton of beige and breezy boutiques, and a couple of old school hotels on the water. We spent a lovely, chill day there, and departed glamorously via car ferry to Queenscliff. Fortunately, I had recently acquired appropriate headwear for just such an occassion. Sadly, there is not yet flattering photo reference available. You'll have to take my word that its straw and has a nice Montecarlo vibe. I'm acclimating.
2 comments:
Rodney - You are so witty. This blog could be the next Julie/Julia sensation. Keep writing because its my escape from Comp! - Mallory
Thank you Mallory Paige. I hope you're surviving the season. I miss you, and our discussions of nail color.
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