Australian Adventure: Summer Christmas in Batmania

Hello again,

It's been a whirlwind month or so. We really have been busy....well until the last 3 days when we have taken refuge from the 40 degree sun and stayed inside until after 7pm, and I've spent that time listing to podcasts watching Dr Who and reading Game of Thrones. So this ones a bit of a catch up.

Over Christmas and New Year Simone came to stay, and I learnt what a hard life Sally and Andy must have.

Simone arrived on Christmas Eve, and we had a plan to tackle the jet lag head on. We went to the Myer Music Bowl for Carols by Candlelight (finishing at 11.30pm).

On arrival, still 4 hours before it starts, there was a queue of 5,000 people! Once inside we found a space on the grass and sat back, enjoying the picnic we had prepared. The pre-show appearance of Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam, was followed by a conversation about Sam's very heavy welsh accent.

The evening was great, we sang along with some if the carols, watched as the camera man manly focused on babies. Not to be outdone we did manage to attract his attention on one occasion. To Simone's horror, as she was wearing something embarrassing, so she fell to the floor pretty quickly to avoid being in the shot.

It was a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve at a large / major event, something we would never have done at home before. Much like New Year...

However between Christmas and NY.

We spent Christmas Day, opening the few presents we had bought each other, and the ones Simone had brought over. Then we made our way to South Melbourne Beach, where we saw dolphins!

We finished our day at Fed Square eating fast food and watching Christmas films.

Boxing Day we visited the MCG before the Ashes match, to look around the stands and get as much free stuff as possible. Of course.

This was followed by some shopping. After 30minutes I went to watch some street performers, then made my way to the large screen at Fed Square. While the girls continued to shop.

We had planned a couple of day trips for when Simone was here so she could see things with us. The first was The Great Ocean Road, which was built by returning war vets. When they returned to a county in recession with no jobs, their 'reward' was to built their own monument. I'm still unsure this was actually a 'reward' as many men died making the long road.

Along the road we saw some amazing views, and heard some interesting stories about Australian history linked to the road / coast line. Our sightseeing tour included; the lighthouse (one of the most southerly parts of mainland Australia, apparently), koalas, feeding parrot, the 12 apostles, and the amazing 'hidden' Port Campbell Beach. Truly beautiful and amazing views.

The second trip was more of an animal tour. First we visited the Animal Sanctuary. Where we saw a wombat, fed kangaroos, wallabys, emus, and ducks. Then had a photo with a koala. Then we moved on to a heritage farm, where we saw a working farm / sheep dog, sheep shearing, and an old farm house. Followed by a very brief visit to the chocolate museum, which was nothing special. There should have been more tasting opportunities I think. Our final stop was Phillip Island, we saw more koalas and birds, then queued for about 45mins for fish and chips (nothing else around), before making our way to the penguin parade. Where we watched penguins coming in to the beach and making their way across land to return to their homes for the night.

After a lot of coach time, I'm glad to say our other activities involved much less travel. The sealife centre, located opposite our apartment, was interesting but quick. There where a lot of children, being the school holidays, so it was quite busy. We saw stingrays and sharks and Corel and other sea life, including penguins. I think most sea life centres are the same, though Chloe tells me the one in Portsmouth is nothing like this one.

New Years was again something different for us. As we attended a major event. We found ourselves at docklands for the fireworks and entertainment. There was a live dj (not brilliant), channel 7 news (telling the crowd when they were on, geting people closer. Then when live holding them back. Faker than wrestling comes to mind hahaha). But it was fun to be in the middle of everything.

We had one last activity, that was making our way up to the 88th floor of the SkyDeck. The view of Melbourne was amazing. Standing on the caged (for safety) open part of the building, feeling the wind from the sea blowing past was....amazing.

A quick debrief on Simone's other fun activities;

Lunch on the roof, lunch in the park, getting hit by sand as the wind picked up big time at the beach. And of course keeping Cotton On in business with near daily visits.

Since Simone made her way home, we have gone back to not wearing much in the apartment (initially because we could, now because of the heat), seen the launch of the countdown to the 2015 Asian Cup, seen the Australian Open (from a nearby bridge), and made a plan for the year (draft 5). Seen bats flying across the sky, some very close to our heads (did you know Melbourne was originally going to be called Batmania, after someone Batman. For a reason I have forgotten they didn't. Big mistake in my opinion). We also avoided a lightning strike, I told Chloe siting in the roof with steel posts wasn't a good idea. She didn't seem as worried...

So it's been a busy few weeks, but we have enjoyed all of it. We now look forward to more WWOOFing, this time at a zoo! Followed by driving around Tasmania. We will think mostly kind thoughts of our apartment and more importantly roof top. Especially when we are sleeping on the roof of the car in Tassie.

I'd like to end this post by sending a message to Ash, Simone's boyfriend, just to let you know she farted in the park, more than once!

Carols by Candlelight