I'm back from kangyland! It was an awesome trip with great weather and trips.
The few days before my Australia trip I was getting a little nervous. I started getting pretty sick and completely exhausted. I didn't really have time to worry about it, as I had heaps of work to do, pack, and study/ take an exam in business statistics. The day before was probably the worst I've been since being here. I slept and watched movies all day, then went to the library at 5 to prep for my 6:30 exam. Unfortunately, I fell asleep at the library. I woke up in time for my exam, took it, and actually ended up doing pretty well. Oh the joys of abroad education!
I was able to pick up some medicine, vitamins, immune builder to beat this. My mentality at this point: I don't care if I fail that exam, but there is noooo way I will be sick in Australia.
I boarded my Air New Zealand flight (which if you know me, you understand my obsession with this airline). It was a great flight and I was greeted by Marnie's parents Kev and Marion at the Melbourne Airport. It was so nice to have someone there to pick me up at the airport. All flights I've taken since abroad have required additional transportation (busses, trains, taxis). It was a great feeling! We were all equally excited to see eachother since it had been about 4 years since we first/last met.
The drive to their home was about one hour. They just moved from Croydon to Healesville which is located in the Yarra Valley (wine central). We stopped for dinner at a great pizza joint called the Bodhi Tree. It was so Burlington. The hippie, natural vibes were just SHOOTING at me! So awesome. Just a great atmosphere. We headed home and I unpacked my oversize, overweight (again- typical) suitcase. It was absolutely amazing to have a walk in closet, bureau, bed, proper shades, my own bathroom, tons of pillows, etc - basically, amazing to be in this house.
We enjoyed a cup-a tea and caught up before bed.
The first day we met up with Marnie's sister Sal, her husband Jason, and their two kids April and Riley at Riley's "footie" game. Then visited a few vineyards. The Yerring Station, De Bertoli, and Long Gully. The Yerring Station was old fashioned with a great atmosphere. De Bertoli was my favourite. It was very classy and just gorgeous. It made me think of working for a vineyard as a marketing rep. I just kept thinking about how they made me "feel" the vineyard etc. Yeah, I am a weirdo but whatever! Lastly, Long Gully. Long Gully was a local, small vineyard that was very boutiquey. Beautiful.
For lunch, we stopped at the Wattleseed which is a cute local stop. I enjoyed soup and decided I need to go to bed immediately. My sinuses were not enjoying all this. We relaxed the rest of the night and enjoyed a home cooked meal!
The next few days went quite fast. One night I slept at Sal and Jason's and was awoken by Riley at 6:45 am. He is such a cute little kid, so it was acceptable. Sal and I took them to school and she dropped me off at the train station in Croydon. I took the 45 minute train into Melbourne and spent the day by myself adventuring around. I started off visiting the Information site. Which was helpful as they gave me maps and routes to take. I visited the Old Melbourne Jail which was very cool. I showed up and jumped into line thinking I would pay when I got in. Little did I know, the customers had already paid! The tour guide was an actress and simulated a true life jail scene. AKA, she was loud, mean, and obnoxious to us. I was so terrified that she would find out. But by the end, I had realized I saved $20. AWESOME. I wandered around and visited Melbourne Central, hit up a few shops, grabbed lunch, then headed to the Eureka Sky Tower. It is the highest lookout in the Southern Hemisphere!!! I road the elevator to floor 88 (which took literally 35 sec) and looked over Melbourne. So pretty and clear. Yet I stepped out onto the balcony and it was like Wellington wind! It was amazing!
I took the train back, relaxed the next day and visited the Chandon vineyard. YUM! We went out for a great meal at the RACV member country club and just wrapped up our time together.
AND LASTLY- I drove! It was an awesome experience driving on the left side of the road, with the wheel on the right. I started out in the neighbourhoods then went out into the main roads/mini highway, into town, and parked! WAHOO!
Here are a few of my MILLIONS of pictures I took. I'll write about my Aussie Adventure Part II. It's bedtime for this kiwi! :)
Cheers mates! xoxo
LINKS: http://www.eurekaskydeck.com.au/ *The Eureka Sky Deck*
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