To Oz and Back

Finally October has arrived and with it the excitement of going on a holiday. Henry and Sarah who we met through Matt's Australian rules football team were getting married over in Australia on the 25th of October. Matt and i decided we'd go over to the wedding and go via Melbourne (a city neither of us had been to). Matt went over a few days before me to enjoy Henry's last few nights of bachelorhood and see his family. I was left to tend an empty home and work - sweet deal huh?

Since i didn't have quite the same amount of leave Matt had I met up with him on Wednesday in Melbourne. Traveling light and armed with a bag of Amy's stuff i flew over to Melbourne which is a short 3.5 hour flight.

There's nothing worse than thinking you'll have a row to yourself and then the last person gets on the plane and sits in the seat next to you (even tho the one by the window is free). Something i'm finding i have to get used to is that people are friendly here. I suppose it's wierd to say it's something i have to get used to but I can't remember the last flight i took where the person next to me made a point to talk to me, offer me the in flight magazine (after noticing the pocket in front of my seat was empty) and even have the person in front of me in the line for the bathroom start up a chat! It's also the only flight i've ever been on where 4 out 5 flight attendants were male (but that's a whole other discussion).

Anyways Matt met up with me and i made it through customs alright (past the cute puppies and all!). We picked up our rental car and headed to our hotel which was about a 15 minute walk from downtown in South Melbourne.

Melbourne (which is pronounced "Mel-bin" not "Mel-born") has just approx 4 mil people (same as the whole population of New Zealand) and is known for it's culture and atmosphere. And in a funky-Dutch way the whole city is networked by trams!

We took a walk downtown and then had some dinner. We were pretty beat (and had lots to cram in the next day so we went to bed early).

Cool buildings


Thursday we got up early and went off to Victoria market. Victoria market is the worlds largest open air market and is huge! Areas with food, meat, veggies and 3 giant halls selling flea market-esque stuff. We had some nibbles and then headed off to go to the Melbourne gaol. On the way we met up with Amy! Amy moved to Melbourne a few months ago and it was great to meat up with her.

The Victoria Market


The interest in the Melbourne Gaol was due to the fact that Ned Kelly was killed there. Ned Kelly is something of an Australian outlaw icon. He basically had a big show down with the cops and wore homemade armor. They eventually realized they could hit him in the legs and he was caught (and subsequently hung) but is very famous.

We opted not to go in the gaol (as it's expensive) but rather to the library where the original Ned Kelly armor was on display. The library was really really cool with this amazing open spaces and old wooden desks.

Ned Kelly's Armour


After the library we went up the Rialto Towers. Usually i'm not big on going up the tall buildings in every city but this was something i wanted to do. But the view was top and gave nice perspective on the city and locations.

The view


After some drinks and strolling down Collins st we stopped and had some drinks at a bar around the Yarra. The Yarra is the river which divides Melbourne in 2. By this stage it was sunny and beautiful outside and just perfect.

We hopped on the tram and decided to go check out the beach at St. Kilda (one of the Melbourne suburbs). A nice beach walk and then another cool beer.

Amy on the beach


The three of us had a lovely dinner at an italian place along the Yarra. It was great.

Lindsay at dusk


The city at night


Matt and i got up the next morning and took a short run over to the shrine near where we were staying. The shrine is a big monument to veterans of wars and reminded me of the monuments in D.C.

The Shrine


After our run and brekky we started our drive to Penola. The Great Ocean Rd is noted as one of Australia's top destinations. It starts about 80km outside Melbourne and runs along the coast for a couple km.

The most famous bit on the Great Ocean Rd. are the 12 Apostles. Originally there was 12 of these features but slowly the are disappearing. The whole area has just neat bridges and masses.

Arch


The whole world in my hands


12 Apostles (or whats left of them)


Me and Matt


After the Great Ocean Rd we crossed the boarder in to South Australia (depositing my orange peel in the quarantine bin at the boarder) and then headed to Mt. Gambier. Originally a volcano Mt. Gambier is now several craters and lakes. Very serene.

Blue Lake @ Mt. Gambier


And finally 607km and 10 hours after Melbourne we arrived in Penola where Henry and Sarah were getting married.

Saturday morning we went for a run and got ready for the wedding. There was 200 hundred people and in a small town i'm not sure there were many people who were not at the wedding. About 6 of us came over from New Zealand.

The New Zealand crew


Me and Matt


Matt and Henry


It was a good wedding - Sarah's dress was amazing.


Me and Sarah


The Wedding


The day after we were thankfully not too sore and after a big brunch with other wedding guests we decided to check out the wine region. Penola is just 5km south of Coonawarra which is one of the famous wine regions in Australia.

We went to 5 vineyards and tasted various wines (and bought a few) and generally just had a lovely day.

Me wine tasting from the top view of the Rymill Winery


Monday we hopped in the car and made our way back to Melbourne. Rather than going via the Great Ocean Rd we went via Ballarat. Ballarat made a name for itself during Australia's Goldrush. We stopped off at the Gold Museum and stared at the nice shiny things. Oh and i managed to rescue a turtle who was on the road.

Me and the turtle


And that was our trip to Melbourne!