The Great Ocean Road

I arrived in Melbourne full of anticipation for the weekend ahead. My friend, Adam, had things all planned out - a trip down the Great Ocean Road on Friday, my first Australian Rules Football game on Saturday and a big night out with friends on Saturday night. Not on the list ---> returning to the home of the terrible Greek dining experience from the last trip to this city. The Greek food of Melbourne promptly redeemed itself as my first meal after getting here was a delicious lamb souvlaki, followed by a martini made from my favorite Australian candy bar, the Violet Crumble! I promise that it tasted better than it looks...well in truth it tasted like a glass of vodka with a candy bar soaking in it, but is that really all that bad?

"Sorry, Adam, I cut your head off in this photo, but that's okay." Comment not well received...



He attempted to get me back



Candy bar infused vodka - breakfast of champions



Friday morning we got up and started our drive down the Great Ocean Road. Adam was an outstanding tour guide and even made sure that I tried my very first meat pie and vanilla slice on this trip. I saw a whale splashing around in the ocean while we were stopped for construction at one point along the road.

Great Ocean Road around Lorne



You'll have to trust me that there's a whale in the distance



I was highly amused by the fact that Australians need to be reminded what side of the road they are supposed to be driving on. And everyone thinks Americans are stupid...ha!



I also spotted a creek that I decided was most likely named after my ancestors - we obviously had to change from von Mueller to von Weller after our great battle with the rogue Smythe family of neighboring Smythe Creek.



Adam also taught me other valuable lessons including what a Bilby is and that Shetland Ponies are public property and can be ridden whenever you should feel like it. The weather held out beautifully and the views were nothing short of breathtaking. I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to experience the Great Ocean Road!

A Dingo Ate My Baby

Okay, well I have to admit that this is a bit of a stretch since I didn't end up actually seeing a dingo on my excursion to Fraser Island after much anticipation. Oh, and I don't have a baby. But I digress...

Earlier this week, Simon (please refer to the koala pictures/story) and I drove up to Fraser Island to stay for a few days. We went to the trouble of having a travel agent book things for us, only to find out once we arrived at the harbor to catch the boat that there was no boat for us to board. To add insult to injury, we had left Brisbane at 4 a.m. that morning to catch said 'boat' and have a full day on the island. Total bugger! But we got things sorted eventually and got over to Fraser Island, which is the world's largest sand island and has both beaches and rain forests to explore.

First sight of Fraser - the clouds didn't hinder our excitement



Though we arrived to cloudy conditions and rain, we made the most of it by bellying up to the bar at the resort we were staying at and making some new friends after dinner. Simon hustled some people at the pool tables and I played my part by keeping the alcohol coming and distracting his opponents while he cheated/won. All in all a great night.

Simon coaching his pool partner, Pete



At the Beach Bar



With our new friend, Mana, from New Zealand



Friendly after the cutthroat game of pool



The following day we opted for a half day tour of the island, led by Simon's new idol, Woody. We walked down the boardwalk at Central Station, which had once been the center of the island's logging activity, and then headed to Lake McKenzie. The skies cleared as we got to the lake, which was absolutely pristine and surrounded by the softest sand I've ever felt. We swam in the lake, laid on the sand and re-boarded the bus to head back to the Eurong Beach Resort for lunch and a nap before dinner. Ah, vacation!!

Rainforest



Silent Creek - makes no noise as it runs over sand



Lake McKenzie



Clear water and white sand, so soft you can use it to polish silver jewelry



Greenery around the shore of the lake



As we departed Fraser Island early Thursday morning so that I could make my flight to Melbourne, the weather turned absolutely gorgeous. It was slightly disappointing to see that in our rearview mirror, but the trip was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless!

Beautiful weather as we headed home



Goodbye, Fraser Island!

Good Life On the Gold Coast

I have to first apologize for my hiatus from posting on the blog! I've been too busy having fun to stop and document what I've been doing, but luckily I've kept up with pictures and I remember *most* of what I've been doing. Ha!

Just over a week ago, I took the train from Brisbane down to the Gold Coast, where my dear friend Filo has recently made his home (for the second time). He lives in a high rise overlooking the beach; not a bad place to be sleeping on the couch for a few nights!

A view from breakfast



As if this wasn't a great enough situation to walk into, Filo (formerly of Austin, TX) cooked Mexican food the first night I arrived on the Gold Coast. All in all, the welcome could not have been warmer. On day two there, one of Filo's friends drove me down the coast to Coolangatta and Currumbin, where we climbed Elephant Rock and ate lunch at the Surf Club. It was a breathtaking day and I have the pictures to prove it!

A look back Surfer's Paradise from Coolangatta



Surfers at Coolan'ghetto'



View of the ocean from atop Elephant Rock





Apparently these weren't the famous Currumbin rock pools, but still pretty!



The real highlight of my trip down the coast was a 40th birthday party for my friend Jonny, who Jaime and I met on our last trip over here. This party was extremely highly anticipated and it lived up to it! The theme was 'rockstar' and I was told that anyone who didn't show up in full costume would be forced to wear a penalty costume chosen by the birthday boy. Because I didn't want to know what this entailed (and I love dressing up), I made a trip down to the closest costume shop and got outfitted from head to toe. My original idea was Tina Turner, but due to the fact that their Tina wig looked like a dead animal on my head, I opted for the next best thing - 1980's Like a Virgin period Madonna. Seemed like a fitting costume since Madonna and I have so much in common and all. Okay, at least we're both American! Filo dressed as Willie Nelson, decked out with braids and boots and I dare say our costumes were some of the best there.

Madonna and Willie



Hands up like we're having fun!



The party was a rager and everyone from Bob Marley to Dolly Parton to George Michael was represented. From my recollection, the night didn't end until the sun was up and the clock read about 7 a.m. Why do these Aussies always cause me to pull all-nighters?? I must look like a sucker. The low-point of the party was walking back to the place I was staying the next morning in a t-shirt, crinolin skirt and no shoes while people were sitting out on sidewalks enjoying breakfast. That walk was hard on both my feet and my dignity...but the night had been worth it!

Willie and Bob



Willie, Madonna and George Michael



Madonna and Sandra Dee

The Great Koala Debacle of 2010

After weeks of anticipation and excitement, I finally touched down in Australia five days ago - Brisbane to be precise. We didn't make it to Brisbane on the first trip down here, so it's been fun to experience a new city. First on my list, of course, was to go to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, much to my Aussie friend's chagrin. One of my biggest regrets last go round was not getting to hold one of those cute little guys, so I vowed to make up for it this time!

Things were going swimmingly until I was set to hold the poor little drugged up koala. As the handler started to hand it to me, I noticed it had started relieving itself. As I was wearing a white shirt and wanted to keep it that way, I moved my hands back and leaned away. Seemed like a natural reaction, no? To say that the zookeeper berated me would be the understatement of the century. She really let me have it, informing me that all animals go to the bathroom and I should NEVER move my hands when a roofied koala was being placed in them. Then she stormed off, probably cursing me the whole way. It's worth mentioning that while I waited in line for this pleasure, I saw her yell at multiple Asian tourists for not being still enough, and she actually sent them away. Who was this maniac? I think of her fondly now as the Koala Nazi. Luckily, she had a much more level headed and reasonable co-worker who brought over Serenity, a mild mannered koala with a grip of steel. I got my obligatory photo and was relieved that the whole experience was over quite frankly!

Serenity providing some calm after the storm



Guess which person did not want to be in this photo



After the koala debacle, we moved on to the kangaroo petting area, which was highly enjoyable. I had those little marsupials eating out of my hand!

Hanging with our new friend, Joey





Our last stop was the bird of prey show which was a nice way to close out the day. My only regret from my visit to Lone Pine was that I missed my opportunity to get my picture holding a baby crocodile. I guess I'll have to make a return trip someday!

Random musings about the day at Lone Pine:

- we were the only adults in attendance without kids in tow...

- my friend, Simon, refused to speak a word to anyone there as he was embarrassed to be Australian and be at Lone Pine

- this entire experience, as with most things in life, would have been greatly improved if they had sold beer :)

Bright Sunshiny Days

Call it coincidence, but nearly everyday since I finished up at work has been beautiful and sunny, even when the forecast has called for clouds and rain. Upon returning home from the mountains, the weeks-long rain cleared in Austin and I enjoyed a great day out on the boat with friends. Now I'm in Southern California, where I'm told June Gloom has overstayed its welcome so far this Summer. Since I've been here, it's been nothing but blue skies and gorgeous weather, affording me plenty of time on the beach and a great hike yesterday at Torrey Pines. Fingers crossed that this great weather follows me for the remainder of my travels!

A great day to be alive in Austin, TX



Proving they don't need alcohol to have fun...



We're on a boat!



The twins and a snapping turtle lurking in the background



On our way to Ski Shores for the world's longest dinner with the world's worst waitress, Dream



360 Bridge



Little people village, one of Austin's hidden treasures



California!



Cute town of Cardiff



One of my favorite activities while in California was 'hiking' Torrey Pines. I thought I came prepared with my camera, but realized I left the battery behind. Whoopsy. Thank goodness for Jaime's iPhone!



A view from the top



Let it be known that J-Pratt hates this photo, but I'm still posting it (picture complements of a friendly rattlesnake)



Sunset enjoyed with a great friend

Carolina In My Mind

It's hard to find words to express how relaxing it is to spend time in the mountains of North Carolina at my parents' Summer house. On the agenda is sleeping in, lying by the pool, breathing the mountain air and enjoying the amazing scenery. Not a bad life! This trip also included enjoying July 4th festivities and plenty of time chasing my niece around the property. It's always hard to leave!

Fourth of July at Mountaintop



Hot air balloon rides



Happy birthday, America!



Sisters-in-law



Thanks for a great week, Mom and Dad



The entire vW clan



C loved the pool



Gimme that camera!



A porch with a view



Bailey making herself comfy at her temporary home