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I'm back! I've just returned from a few days in the state of Victoria in Southern Australia! I had a great time, and did a ton of stuff!! It's way too much to talk about in one blog post, so I'll try to stretch them out, because the stuff I did was interesting- even the little things- so I wouldn't do the trip justice by just mentioning them!
We flew out of Sydney on Sunday morning- we were at the airport by 6, and huddled around a coffee shop by 7. We flew out around 8 am and landed in Melbourne. After a busride into the city, we dropped off our bags and walked around the city for a bit! They took us to Victoria Markets, which are one of the largest markets in Australia. Around 600 vendors selling everything from fruit to wine to socks to toys are here, and it was a great place to f
ind some souvenirs! From there, we wandered a bit more, through the flagstaff gardens (where I played on the playground for a bit) to the inner-city, or the CBD (central business district). The architecture of the city was beautiful- old buildings mixed in with new, modern ones. I also walked through Chinatown, and then found my way back to the hotel. The view from the hotel was spectacular, and the room modest and nice- I took the pullout couch in the living room, and woke each morning with a look out the balcony window.
ind some souvenirs! From there, we wandered a bit more, through the flagstaff gardens (where I played on the playground for a bit) to the inner-city, or the CBD (central business district). The architecture of the city was beautiful- old buildings mixed in with new, modern ones. I also walked through Chinatown, and then found my way back to the hotel. The view from the hotel was spectacular, and the room modest and nice- I took the pullout couch in the living room, and woke each morning with a look out the balcony window.
That night, my roommates and I went downtown with a few friends and played pool at a bar. We went further into town to cross the Yarra River and found a casino! It was great to walk around- very classy and upbeat atmosphere. It was only the second casino I've ever been in, and I underestimate how addictive those lights can be! I allowed myself $5 on the slot machines, and I had fun losing it! :)
I went to bed pretty early that night, because we had to wake up early the next morning to depart for our Philip Island and Penguin Parade tour! We took an hour busride out of the city to an area which is very well known for the sunset parade of 3oo or more penguins who surf ashore each night to find shelter inland. Of course, that wasn't until sunset, so we had to find things to do during the day! Our small group of 13 was led by Matt, a goofy, young host who had fun singing with us on the bus and actually memorized our names within an hour! Our first stop was a winery, where the views of the surrounding grassy hills was amazing.
Our next stop was the Koala wildlife sanctuary! The center was actually created to surround an existing population of Koala that had been created there (because Koala's aren't orig
inally indigenous to Australia). The population was in danger of wild predators, so the sanctuary was created to keep them safe. They were adorable! They looked like little grumpy old men asleep in trees! We learned that they sleep most of the time- an average of 20 hours a day! They're generally slow moving, although we saw one sprint across the grass! They usually only eat Eucalyptus leaves, from which they recieve all nutrients and fluids that they need, and by the way- they're absolutely adorable! We even saw a baby koala sleeping in it's Mama's arms! We also had a chance to see Wallabies! Technically a Kangaroo but just smaller, it was so much fun to watch them hopping around and playing with each other! They weren't supposed to be in the santcuary, but they sneak in for the good grass and safety! While driving around, we were able to see huge populations of them hopping around in fields as well!
inally indigenous to Australia). The population was in danger of wild predators, so the sanctuary was created to keep them safe. They were adorable! They looked like little grumpy old men asleep in trees! We learned that they sleep most of the time- an average of 20 hours a day! They're generally slow moving, although we saw one sprint across the grass! They usually only eat Eucalyptus leaves, from which they recieve all nutrients and fluids that they need, and by the way- they're absolutely adorable! We even saw a baby koala sleeping in it's Mama's arms! We also had a chance to see Wallabies! Technically a Kangaroo but just smaller, it was so much fun to watch them hopping around and playing with each other! They weren't supposed to be in the santcuary, but they sneak in for the good grass and safety! While driving around, we were able to see huge populations of them hopping around in fields as well!From there, we went 
to Panny's Chocolate Factory and ate chocolate until we were sick! There was a mini museum with interactive games that would lead to a chocolate prize, objects like sculptures and a mini railroad town made out of chocolate, and we could watch factory workers assorting, mixing, and packaging chocolate! I had a ton of fun (and chocolate)- not to mention the TON of chocolate that our group outweighed- not kidding! There was a brick of chocolate that weighed a ton that you could gather people to try to offset on a scale. It took the 13 on our trip, Matt, and a random tourist to offset and lift the chocolate brick!
to Panny's Chocolate Factory and ate chocolate until we were sick! There was a mini museum with interactive games that would lead to a chocolate prize, objects like sculptures and a mini railroad town made out of chocolate, and we could watch factory workers assorting, mixing, and packaging chocolate! I had a ton of fun (and chocolate)- not to mention the TON of chocolate that our group outweighed- not kidding! There was a brick of chocolate that weighed a ton that you could gather people to try to offset on a scale. It took the 13 on our trip, Matt, and a random tourist to offset and lift the chocolate brick!
From there, we visited the Nobbies, a coastal tourist spot with amazing views of the water. The Nobbies are actually a few huge rocks that add to the view from the coast. Harbour seals and penguins reside there as well, and I haven't seen a more beautiful view of the ocean yet :)
Afterwards, we went to a little town called Cowes to find something for dinner, and then, nearing sunset, we finally went to the Penguin Parade! This nightly happening is what the region's economy is dependant on- a cafe, tourist shops, and musuem have been e
rected on the spot because of the immense amount of visitors that this area recieves. Through the museum and down a long boardwalk, you come to two concrete stadium seating areas that were created on the hillside so that you could watch the penguins come in from the waves! We weren't allowed to take pictures of the penguins coming in (athough I found one on shore to snag a picture of, thankfully). The wildlife rangers there had orginally decided to allow cameras without flash, since flash would scare or harm the little penguins, but people would "forget" to turn off their fla
sh, so the rangers just did away with cameras all together. Which was sad because I would have loved to have a picture when I was so close to them! It was hard to see the penguins from the stadium seats- since the penguins come ashore to find safety at night, the key to their feelings of safety is being able to be hidden in darkness, so there weren't any lights that they could shine on them so we could more easily see them. Instead, my favorite part was going back to the boardwalks leading to the seating, because from there, the penguins would walk alongside the boardwalks to find their nests, and when I kneeled down beside the fence posts, the penguins were only about 6 inches away from me! So very cute! I'll never forget how innocent and adorable they were, awkwardly waddling around with their short, fat bodies, occasionally falling down and scurrying up to rejoin their group. I wish Meghan could've been there!! :)
rected on the spot because of the immense amount of visitors that this area recieves. Through the museum and down a long boardwalk, you come to two concrete stadium seating areas that were created on the hillside so that you could watch the penguins come in from the waves! We weren't allowed to take pictures of the penguins coming in (athough I found one on shore to snag a picture of, thankfully). The wildlife rangers there had orginally decided to allow cameras without flash, since flash would scare or harm the little penguins, but people would "forget" to turn off their fla
sh, so the rangers just did away with cameras all together. Which was sad because I would have loved to have a picture when I was so close to them! It was hard to see the penguins from the stadium seats- since the penguins come ashore to find safety at night, the key to their feelings of safety is being able to be hidden in darkness, so there weren't any lights that they could shine on them so we could more easily see them. Instead, my favorite part was going back to the boardwalks leading to the seating, because from there, the penguins would walk alongside the boardwalks to find their nests, and when I kneeled down beside the fence posts, the penguins were only about 6 inches away from me! So very cute! I'll never forget how innocent and adorable they were, awkwardly waddling around with their short, fat bodies, occasionally falling down and scurrying up to rejoin their group. I wish Meghan could've been there!! :) I'll write about the second half of my trip tomorrow, but a quick word of the day? Actually, I'll make it the pronunciation of the day- Melbourne is pronounced "Mel-Bin", not "Mel Born". Just so you know when you tell someone that "Sarah just visited Melbourne" :)
All my Love-
Sarah
Sooooo jealous! 6 inches away!?!?!? I wouldn't have been able to contain myself. I would have snatched him up in a second!
ReplyDeleteLove you Sis! Keep the adventures coming!