Back in Chapel Hill Sunday morning 12:55 am (east coast time)

Exhausted but happy to see Cleo & Bob...

Australia - Day 30 The Dandenongs Outside Melbourne

For the last day of this For the last day of this amazing journey, I took the tram and the train out to meet Hayley, the gal who was the program director for my sail around the Greek Islands in 2005!  We have kept in touch and it was so fantastic to catch up with her.  She and her French friend, Kat, picked me up at the station and added her "Mum" Lyn to the group and off we went to drive up into the Dandenong Ranges - gorgeous and huge gum trees, Lyre birds (can imitate anything they hear!), tree ferns and lots of walks, shops and restaurants. We started with scones & coffee at Miss Marple's Tea House (The Brits have a big influence here), did some shopping, then went to the heart of the matter:  Ricketts Sanctuary.  This is a garden/park that is dedicated to Ricketts' natural sculptures that are fired clay then placed in the forest setting - they are of Aboriginal subjects because he was a naturalist who believed that those people need protection, respect, and a proper legacy.  The sculptures are truly beautiful. 

Afterwards, we had lunch then a view from the top of the mountain, then back to Melbourne.  Tonight, Kylie and I will be attending the Swing Patrol's Christmas party so that we can experience swing dancing in Australia.  Hard to believe that this wonderful trip is over tomorrow and that I'll be returning to the winter!

Australia - Day 29 - Mornington Peninsula outside Melbourne

Last night's dinner was a blast and I attempted match-making between Kylie and Giles :) 

I had my second tour outside of Melbourne and went to Mornington Peninsula where there are gorgeous farms and lots of tourist spots.  We had a long visit at one of the National Parks where there are old battalions where Melbourne was protected during the gold rush and during both World Wars.  Then we went to a vineyard and winery where we tasted several nice wines - especially good are their Pinot Noirs.  Next stop was a strawberry farm where we picked our own strawberries (not a bad thing to be doing in December) and had amazing desserts.  The last stop was at a lavendar field where there are huge mazes, 2 with giant hedges, 1 with roses, and 1 with lavendar (the giant hedge mazes were a little scary and complicated).  There were sculptures there too (see me with my new boyfriend David) and it was all very beautiful.  Tomorrow will be a reunion with Hayley who was on the sailboat with me four years ago in Greece!

Australia - Day 28 - Melbourne, the heights and the Gardens

Warmest day yet (82 degrees F) and loved walking through Australia's most beautiful gardens (Royal Botantical), where I'm hugging a massive and ancient cedar.  Also enjoyed looking out over all of Melbourne at the height of 89 floors above earth.  My head is served up on a plate here at the International Art Museum.  Chose iced coffee outside over the formal & stuffy high tea at Hotel Windsor (great choice as it turned out).  All in all a lovely day with amazing views.

Australia- Day 27 - Philip Island and the Little Penguins

What an amazing sight - hundreds of "Little Penguins" marching from the sea to the beach and listening for the little crys of their chicks so they could find their way (moms and dads both doing it) to their burrows and feed their young.  They are precious - bright blue on their backs and white chests.  They are tiny and afraid of light, so we are not allowed to take photos (don't worry Emily I was good and didn't take pictures this time) except that we could take some if they are simply sitting in their nests at a different site (hopefully it will show up). This trip took the whole day and in addition to the penguins (formerly called "Fairy Penguins"), we went to see the Botanical Gardens made to represent all of Australia, including the Outback which is all red, the beach, the Nobbies (beautiful and stark rocks along the beach edge), and the ever popular Chocolate Factory where we were even able to make our own chocolate design.  Once again, I ate my way through this tour and will come home about 100 pounds heavier than I left (oh well).  Tonight we will have dinner with Giles, a guy that I met on the 21 hour plane flight over here - he invited us over for dinner on the barbie.

Australia - Day 26 - Melbourne and Playing Tourist

Took both the tourist bus and the tourist tram around Melbourne to get the big picture of this great, eclectic, and energetic city.  Visited Kylie at the University of Melbourne (35,000 students), which is one of the 7 elite "sandstones" -  like our "ivies."  I enjoyed going to the Koorie Heritage Trust which exhibits Aboriginal arts and crafts.  One of the exhibits was of possum cloaks (sewn with kangaroo sinew and decorated by using sharp shells), based on those worn in 1800.  Hopefully it shows up in the picture (that I was not supposed to take).  Can you say "Wuta biganga yananeyepuk?"  (all possum skin cloaks together).  Also visited the Australian Centre for the Moving Image which has an exhibition showing early film to today with lots of interactive displays. They had a TV show in the `60's that was just like Lassie called "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" and, naturally, Skippy always saved the day (it was adorable).  I also saw the dress worn by Cate Blanchett (an Aussie) in Queen as well as her Oscar for her performance playing Katherine Hepburn (cool to see a real one in person).   Went through the shopping district, saw Town Hall and Parliment and had an exhausting but fun day.  Saw some of the really interesting laneway graffiti that is permitted here.  The photo just shows a tiny portion of one.  There are cute Christmas decorations everywhere.  Met Kylie and her brother for a Japanese dinner, followed by gelatti.  People here are crazy for their Italian coffee (I've learned to make it), freshly baked breads, and their cakes & gelato - I completely agree.

Australia - Day 25 Melbourne Markets

Day started out with saying goodbye to Sarah, who is moving to Adelaide for her new job in Environmental Sciences and then taking the tram with Kylie (pictured here where we are showing off our new scarves) down to the Market in South Melbourne which has fresh, local produce, fish (just caught), and many local wares.  I bought my first pair of authentic Australian Ugg boots!  Then we walked to another neighborhood to meet Kylie's friend for brunch, where we met a nice couple (who have a kiln on their sailboat!) and had a nice chat.  Because I have apparently brought the rain with me (Melbourne is happy because it has been dry), we are going to a movie and will see The Boys are Back.  Tomorrow will be a tourist day for me seeing all of Melbourne.