Marvellous Melbourne

Time to pop on those walking shoes, stretch out those muscles and tip back 2-6 cups of coffee. It’s tourist time! My mate David crossed the ditch for a wee holiday in Melbourne. As he says, it wasn’t a proper holiday because it wasn’t of at least 4 weeks. I seem to have been on holidays for, say, 4 months! 

Anyway, naturally we had a jam-packed itinerary. In that we made up our itinerary as we went.  This is also the time I moved in above a pub (which offered discounts for those staying above). Sweet Jesus it was like the weekend every.single. night. Fantabulous.

 

Being outside the central city, we had to learn the train network. To the Melbourne public transport powers, you’re one reason I drink. Thankfully David maxed out duty free purchases on his way through the airport so Mr Daniel’s and I could become reacquainted. And no driving was ever required, because I'm now a public transport master.

We spent the first few days mucking about central Melbourne, including Melbourne’s Southbank and Central neighborhoods. Nothing overly exciting but great views, tourist traps, people watching and lots and lots of walking.

The pocket watch at Melbourne Centrals' shopping center / train station

Tower enclosed by glass dome, at Melbourne Central

Prince's Bridge over the Yarra River

Royal Botanical Gardens (Eureka Tower in background, cute elderly couple on bench)

State Library of Victoria in Melbourne' CBD

 This city is also littered with street performers. Some cooler and better than others. This one did us some hand stands, with a few variables thrown in:

Getting the crowds attention (he's on the stoplight)

Doing a handstand on top of the bricks

Decided to knock the bricks out from under him...

After watching his stunt, we decided to head 88 stories above the solid Earth to the Eureka Skydeck to look out at the sun setting over Melbourne.

 After gaining further confidence with trains, we ventured out of Melbourne’s CBD to explore the suburbs of Frankston and Williamstown (the first settlement of Melbourne). In 1837, Williamstown was named after King William IV when the leaders decided a more appropriate place of settlement was across the harbor, at the mouth of the Yarra river. Thus, Melbourne was born, and named after British Prime Minister Lord Melbourne. Pretty much the only reason to visit is for delicious home made ice cream, and views like this:

Next up was an hour train ride on the Metro from Melbourne’s CBD to explore Frankston, aka “The Gateway to Mornington Peninsula”. Pretty much a happenin’ suburb with a gigantic shopping centre, some artsy stuff and a gorgeous waterfront! Perfect place to relax an afternoon away.

Looks way warmer and pleasant than it actually was

Frankston bridge.

Now that we have warmed up our  muscles and broke in our walking shoes, it’s time to become full blown tourists. Day 1 of this grand endeavor took us to Geelong, an hour long regional train ride. Being at the station by 7.15AM was enough to take the wind outta me already. Thankfully the regional train has cushy, soft seats so I was able to nod off for a majority of the trip

Geelong is the second largest city withn the State of Victoria (remember, Australia has something like 7 or so States just as ‘Murica has 50). This would be like travelling from Minneapolis, MN to Mankato, MN. As we arrived at 8.30am, we were able to get to the waterfront just after sunrise. Sweet as. Had amazing breakfast and coffee (my favourites being eggs Benedict and a cappuccino) next to the water. Then we walked, and walked, and walked even more exploring the shopping centres, wool museum, tourist shops, Botanical gardens, and the entire city waterfront. Finally, we took the bus to the Sphinx, snapped our pictures and returned to the train station to return to Melbourne. Exhausted, fun, and not all that informative.

Geelong Swim area (notice the shark barrier)

"Upside down V" but really State of Victoria bureaucracy offices

Spinx Jr!

Sphinx Jr, up close and personal (there's just a pub inside)

Next up was an organized tour of the Mornington Peninsula, a 90 minute drive from downtown Melbourne. We stopped in the village of Sorrento at the Just Fine Food café for a world famous Vanilla Slice. Sweet Jesus that was a slice of heaven (totally worth the $7.50 too!) Ingredients include an American size portion of custard. Combined with peppermint tea and the warm, cozy atmosphere set all my senses rocking high. Eating that slice provided delicious, orgasmic temporary bliss and I would be ever so happy to repeat such a task (so who’s gonna come visit?!)

Vanilla Slice [Pic taken from Google]

After that short stop over, we continued towards Point Nepean, defining the entrance to Port Phillip from the Bass Strait.  For decades this place used to be an active military base, and was a strategic point and defense area during WWII. Only recently has the military given the land to the Parks Department. It’s still littered with the odd explosive, so it’s best to stick on the pathways. This is also the place where, in 1967, then Prime Minister Harold Holt drowned. Body never recovered. Conspiracy theories galore. It's also home to the Quarantine Barracks, similar to Ellis Island of America where every new immigrant passed through, and those near death sent in to quarantine.

I wasn't kidding...

Point Nepean

Our final hoora on the Peninsula included a group effort to complete a few mazes, chocolate tasting, WINE tasting and a 90 minute snooze fest back in to the city. Chilled to the bone, starved (there wasn’t one proper meal that day) and tired from 12 hours of exploring.

Mornington Peninsula tour gang

Who has time to sleep on vacation? We did another organized tour to Phillip Island, so we were up and back at it. After hopping a train barrier and sprinting to the train, we just made it before our tour bus departed.  Our tour guide was pure awesomesauce, and we quite enjoyed our time touching Koalas and feeding wallabies at the wildlife sanctuary (and learning fun facts, too!); exploring Churchill Island Heritage Farm (the first farm in the State of Victoria) and watching the "World Famous" Penguin Parade (quotes were used cuz I had never heard of such a thing until a few weeks ago)!

Touching Koala!

Feeding Wallabies!

 Fun Fact: A Koala mum will regurgitate her food, make here Koala babies eat it so the Koala baby can safely eat the poisonous Eucalyptus plant.

            Fun Fact: Koala’s sleep 18-20 hours per day. After a good feed, all their energy is used in digesting poisonous Eucalyptus. I’m entirely jellies of their sleeping habits.

Tour-mate Jenny learning to crack a whip from Farmer Johnny

Pictures @ the Farm

Scottish cows!

Now, Phillip Island is all about them there penguins. Penguin homes are scattered about the island, and many roads are shut down at sunset so the penguins can safely return to their home after a full day of feeding. It’s sweet as watching the lil balls of blubber waddle there way in for the night, and inspiring how nature so well protects them from the cold [I was freezing my bumbum off!]. 

Look at 'em waddle in!

  Fun Fact: Little Penguins are just that, the tiniest Penguin creature out there

            Fun Fact: When it's time for them to shed their feathers, they eat enough for a few weeks as during this process, they lose their protective oils to guard them against the frigid waters.

Phew. Are you as tired as I? The weekend finally came, and with little energy remaining to visit my local, we hit up the Pancake Parlour (cuz I had me a coupon). For $10.90, I was pretty much fully disappointed in only receiving two pancakes, enough butter to kill me, and cheap maple syrup. Won’t even come back for free. On the plus side, this place has Target!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The final horra of our great Melbourne tour included an evening dinner cruise along the Yarra river in Melbourne’s CBD. Best part: unlimited alcohol for 3 hours. Next best part: the waitress made sure my wine glass was filled to the top (I love her). 

Now it’s BAM, back to reality with brand new spankin’ job commencing 15 July! Woohoo!

Hope your world is still doing fine as.

Cheers

:D