Australia: Melbourne

November 12, 13, and 14th 2019 (and 15th-we lost the 13th totally)
Melbourne Australia




Last year sometime or maybe even longer ago then that, my mother stated that one of  her bucket list item was to go to Australia. My mother in law suggested that we (my mom and I) should go for my 50th and her 70th! At the time it had seemed like only a pipe dream but somehow this idea became a reality and before I knew it we were booked and the day to leave was here. Even as the actual date approached I was still not convinced that we were really going to go. BUT here we were heading to the airport and off for one of the longest plane trips I have ever taken to a place on the other side of the world! AUSTRALIA!!!!!

We had a LONG LONG LONG trip a head of us at that point. We started in Syracuse Airport  and flew about 2 hours to Chicago then another 3 or so hours to Los Angles and began a long long trip to Auckland New Zealand (about 14 hours) then another 3 hours to Melbourne Australia. We left NY on a Tuesday and arrived finally in Australia on a Thursday afternoon. WOW!!!! (there is a time difference and we cross the international dateline.)

There were some normal traveling headaches, like long lines, delays and of course concerns about transfers to our next flight, but the most stressful was in Los Angles when we were told we needed a Visa for New Zealand. Tired, hungry and just plain frustrated we had to figure out how to address this on our phones via an app and pay (only by credit) just minutes before our longest flight. Despite this we made it!!! (below-sitting in the New Zealand airport after going to three different gates and both loosing our flight pillows somewhere. Do we look tired????

Our final flight was on Air New Zealand and we were served breakfast!!! This is an old custom once available on American flights (to serve food other then pretzels.) We did not get one single meal on our American flight to Auckland, the internet for in flight movies did not work, and we were pretty much expected to sleep the entire trip.We could already tell things were going to be different on this non american flight. My breakfast was strange too. Eggs, sausage and beans!!! (This I have found is quite common in Australia too.)

Air New Zealand was much better then our previous United airlines (also having in flight movies on the back of the seats for easy viewing.) and soon we were in AUSTRALIA!!!!

Hello Melbourne......In Aussie is pronounced "Melben ". I found several fun facts about Australia so I thought I would offer a few through out these writings. Australia is Latin for terris australis incognito or loosely translated as the unknown southern land.  Melbourne was once the capital of Australia, and its previous name was Batmania, with no reference to the superhero or the mammal Batmania was named for John Batman.

We used a touring company for this trip Trafalger, so everything was planned and scheduled for us. This was the best way to travel and any future international trips I would more likely use this type of service. It meant that we we busy nearly every second, but we got to experience all that was great about the areas we went to. There were some add on excursions that were also available and we did do a few of these, but just the tour itself kept us in touch with everything awesome.
When we finally arrived in Australia we were greeted by a driver who took us to our hotel; The Crown Plaza in Melbourne. We had a room right on the river and it was beautiful. (Below is a picture out the window at the kayaks.)

We took a few minutes to gather ourselves and soon hit the streets. We wanted to go to the casino to get myself a casino chip, we were also able to exchange our America Money to Aussie money. It was a great rate and no fees. (For future travelers).

Casino is just across the street from the view above.

After the casino we walk along the river.

Very pretty and a very active area.

We had a meet and greet with our fellow travelers and our tour guide that afternoon, so we made our way back to the hotel to freshen up before this event. We met several of the other travelers and Kyle; our travel guide. Kyle ended up being the best-est!!!!

Then we all met and went to dinner at the General Assembly DFO South Wharf, right on the riverwalk.
This meal was family style for portions and a main dish to order. Some of the shareable items included pork belly. I stayed clear of this, although I was told that if you can stomach the fat it's delicious. Choices for main dishes included kangaroo steak, chicken, cauliflower steak, and fish. I do not eat fish,cauliflower steak did not sound appealing  and I was not interested in an entire meal of Kangaroo, so I choice chicken. I did try my new friend's kangaroo, just to taste it. Kind of tasted like beef steak, but a little gamy. I did enjoy three Australian lite beers

I  also enjoyed chicken, although this was a different presentation from the drumstick or breast served in the States.

My mother had a cauliflower steak which she seemed to enjoy.
 The evening lights were simply breath taking. Interesting that in Australia, north is hot and south is cold. The toilets really do flush backwards and they drive on the left hand side. Trying to cross the street was a new phenomenon. Looking for cars on a 1 way street that are never coming.

After our dinner and meeting with some of our friends for the week, we strolled back along the Yarra River (translated to ever flowing) as the lights of the city glowed. It was truly breath taking.

Below, is a gondola. It appeared to be empty for the gondolier. What an absolute romantic ride this would be.

Once we were back in our room, it was pretty much a knock out..I am pretty sure I slept like the dead after all that traveling!

Day 2:
We were scheduled to meet bright and early this morning to tour some of Melbourne's highlights, but first breakfast. Every morning we had breakfast included in our tour at the hotels we were staying at. This was a nice opportunity to eat well before mid-day as lunch was generally on your own. The first thing I noticed on the breakfast bar next to the jellies and butter was Vegemite. Most of us of the 80's generation remember the "give me a vegemite sandwich" from the land down under song sung by Men at Work. Apparently vegemite IS as common in Australia as jams/peanut butter is in the United States. I did not try it myself, after a friend who lives her from NY said  not to do it, but I understand it is incredibly salty. One of our tour guides identified he ate it growing up and loves it.


I had to google what was in it, and found it is made from the leftover yeast extract of beer production. Considering that Australia first currency was rum instead of coin, it seems appropriate that an alcohol based extract be included in the morning meal. I still refused to try it.
Breakfast done we made our way to the awaiting coach outside the hotel and soon we were off on our 1st adventure of the day.

Our tour began with some interesting facts about the city of Melbourne. Although the ride was not specific to the architecture, Melbourne does have an appeal of blending its historical buildings with today's modern. Many of the Victorian structures still stand from days of the past mixed among the steal modern structures.  

We see later in the day the use of this throughout the city when we venture into the many arcades.

Below, the Queen Victoria Market, is a popular and has been running since 1878. We did not stop but came as a recommended activity to do in our free time. (Which we had none.)

Fun fact about Australia which most people might not be aware of, Australia is still British owned. Unlike the United States infamous tea party and revolutionary war making the US an independent nation Australia has maintained its ties to England. They follow Parliament and have an elected Prime Minister.  The Queen of England is the countries Queen and admittedly are emerged in the Royal Family but the overall only a small percentage of the country truly cares about the what is happening with the Royal family.(The royal wedding etc.) Identified as the favorite Royal; The Queen herself and Prince Harry.

Many of the homes have this beautiful metal garland covering the porches.

Another fun fact, most people know that Australia was populated by prisoners, but did you know that these prisoners where not the heinous murders, rapist or hardened criminals we may think of. Instead deportation crimes included things like having more then one meal on your possession, petty theft, stealing (including food), prostitution, political protest and deception. It truly was a sentence for the poor.  One of our tour guides informed us that Generally terms of penal deportation included a 7 or 14 year sentence. Most if not all weer unable to afford to return home once the sentence was termed.

I took pictures as we drove through the streets, but I did not write down any information about the sites.

This is one of the area's first church's.

Fitzroy gardens

Captain Cooks cottage. This little cottage was the home of Captain Cooks parents in Yorkshire England. Brick by brick the cottage was transported here to these gardens for visitors to enjoy.

Captain Cook was actually a big deal for Australia. He was the British explorer who founded South Eastern Australia and the first recorded founder for England in 1770.

Captain James Cook's ship the Enterprise nearly sank due to the great barrier reef.

Another interesting fact about Cook is that he found that sauerkraut seem to keep scurvy away and had this dish with every meal on his ship. Cook was killed by members of a Hawaiian tribe. He was pelted with rocks and stabbed in the back while attempting to take a Hawaiian King hostage.


My mother and I did not take the small tour of Cook's cottage, but instead enjoyed this beautiful park.

These cute tiny houses (Tudor Village) was given to Melbourne by the town of Lambeth England as a gift after Victoria (Australia) offered food during World War II.

Near the small village is the Fairy Tree. The fairy tree was carved by Ola Cohn who also has written children's books about Fairies.

More of the beautiful park.

It was all very pretty.

Once we all returned to the coach we were taken to the Shrine of Remembrance. Our tour guide Kyle offered some things to think about in our visit.

We don't often think about Australia when thinking about war, but many members of Australia were deployed as allies of Britain.

The shrine has a temple that offers a skylight in the center.

directly below is the Greater lover Hath no Man stone.

Above is a hole that directs light directly over the stone. (you can see it in the picture below.)

When the sun hits correct the LOVE is lightened by the rays.

The view from the upper deck of the building overlooking Melbourne.

There is really not a whole lot to say, war impacts all of us and the memory is all we have left.

Once we had finalized at the memorial we were back on the coach for our next stop. Downtown Melbourne. 

Our tour guide lead us on an amazing trip throughout the city. This building (above) is the Manchester Unity building. It was built in the early 1930's and has a beautiful art deco style.

Across from the elevators is the escalator. Our guide informed us that this was the very first moving stairs. (I cant remember if this was in Australia or not). It was so impressive that people came from all over to take a "ride" on the moving steps. Smelling salts were available at the top for the women who may faint from the ride.

We exited into what our guide (Kyle) call the arcades, which, as a product of the 80's is where you go to play video games. These arcades however are covered area between the buildings, like alley's. These arcades were once streets. To thin for actual traffic any longer, many of the business's converted the areas to indoor walkways.

They are actually quite nice.

Other arcades, (I am not sure if arcades are covered areas), but lane ways are home to graffiti. Kyle explained that in an attempt to discourage graffiti though out the city, areas were designated just for street art.

These paintings/tags become competitive too. Some art taking little time to create and others hours even days. Kyle told us that he spoke with one artist who said he could complete a piece and it could be covered by the following day.

Leaving the graffiti behind we enter into a large store front area. Kyle points out the lone musician. He reports that performers who are slotted for this location are elected to play. Each performer is auditioned and given a time slot for their show. He says there is almost always some performance going on and this is a prime location.

Clocktowne center stands in the foreground, with Myers Department Store waves a line of Australian flags. Myers is Australia's largest department store. Like Macy's in NYC this Myers offered holiday themed shop windows.

In reading up about the window displays, I found that Myers has been producing these Christmas displays for 64 years. This years presentation is the Gumnut Babies, based upon an Australian popular children's book series by May Gibbs. (I took some pictures myself, but the glare was horrible off the glass, these were taken from the internet.)

Up next we entered into another arcade. This was is ROYAL.

and it sure is....These indoor covered areas were incredibly beautiful.

 The royal arcade is the oldest in Australia circa 1870. It is also home to Gog and Magog.

These fierce giants stand at the clock hourly ringing a bell as guardians of the city, and have since 1892.

These two were modeled after London's Guidhall statues and also guard the city.

Legend, myth or biblical reference Gog and Magog were giants captures to serve as guardians of the ancient palace. Gog to the North and Magog to the South.

The arcades continue, below you can get a good look at how these once open to the elements areas were before being covered.

The block enters you into the Victorian era and some of the finest shops in Australia.

I'm not sure about fine fashion or such items, but these desserts are certainly looking up to the presentation, found in another area arcade.

This arcade offered all kinds of foods. Kangaroo is eaten often around here.

But.....desserts seem to be the best displays.

Flinders is the oldest railway station in Australia, built in 1854 and the busiest station in the world. 

Flinders is said to be haunted. Eye witness's claim that "George" has been seen in his fishing gear looking towards the Yarra river.

The building has a ballroom, gymnasium and children's nursery. These have since been closed to the public.  It is popular to meet "under the clock" when connecting with friends.


Below is the Forum theater. Incredible architecture and I love the gargoyles.

At this point in the day we were making our way back to the coach. Many of us in the tour were going on to a second tour of the day including my mother and me. Phillips Island and the little penguins were awaiting us.  We had a wrap for lunch at a local eatery and made our way to another graffiti lined arcade before meeting at the tour destination area.

these are truly pieces of art work. 

Mom and I made our way to our next tour an entire afternoon and evening out towards the ocean. We were heading to Phillip Island.
First we stopped at Maru Animal Park.
Mom and I got our pictures with a koala. Something I did not know. It is illegal in hold a koala in Australia except Queensland. (The only thing I regret about this trip is not waiting to get a photo opt later in our trip in Queensland.) Apparently koalas get incredibly stressed with all of these encounters and this affects them physically.

I also did not know that kolas are infected with a common STD called Chlamydia. I could not find an answer as towards how or why, but this bacteria is incredible damaging to these docile critters. The bacteria causes blindness, bladder problems, infertility and even death.

Although we were not able to hold this cutie, we did get to pet her as well as have a picture taken with her. Tip- if you are able to get to Queensland on your Aussie trip, wait to meet the Kola's up north. These guys are more awake and you can actually hold them. Research into why identified that the Northern kola's are smaller and get less stressed. However they do have very stick rules on how long these kola's can "work" and how many days off they have to recover.

Mom and I entered the area for the wallaby. I just always assumed that wallaby were smaller then Kangaroo, but truth be told, I couldn't tell the difference the more of these wallaby and kangaroo we met on this trip. They look very similar to kangaroo and yes, Kangaroo are generally larger then wallaby.  The biggest difference is found in the legs. Wallaby inhabit the rocky terrain areas where as the Kangaroo are grassland animals. Wallaby legs adapted to the climbing of rocks, where as the Kangaroo has legs for speed to cross the open prairie or dessert.

Wallaby or Kangaroo, they are super cute.

These Wallaby are all white. They kind of look like large mice!

A sleeping koala.  Koala means "no drink" in Aborigine and they really don't drink often. Koalas  get their fluids from their food source; the Eucalyptus plant.


The Emu is the Australian national bird. It is the second largest bird after the ostrich.

Although they look mean, and they do. They are not known for harming humans although they may attack if cornered.

A wholly sheep? Or maybe its a fluffy lama. At any rate, I didn't take to many pictures of these guys because we see sheep in the states, however...the sheep industry in Australia is BIG! They produce over 80% of the wool used in today's clothing.

These guys are definitely Kangaroo. You can see how their legs are bent and ready to spring. Below is a mother a baby Joey. I am not sure if that big baby could get back into that pouch however.

*Kangaroo - The name for the Australian marsupial Kangaroo came about when some of the first white settlers saw this strange animal hopping along and they asked the Aborigines what it was called. They replied with 'Kanguru', which in the native language meant 'I don't know' .

We both had so much fun feeding these guys. I know it sound funny, but Kangaroo are so common in Australia that this would be like an experience back home where we would feed the deer. Like deer, Kangaroo's roam all over and instead of deer crossing signs there are Kangaroo crossing signs.

There were a few other animals at the park, but we needed to quick get back on the coach for the next big adventure. I did a quick hello to these guys.

When we saw the Kookaburra, I couldn't help but sing the kookaburra song. 

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, merry merry king of the bush is he, laugh kookaburra laugh kookaburra how gay your life will be. 

I don't even recall where I learned the song from, but as soon as I saw this guy, I started to sing. He unfortunately did not sing back. 

And then...we were off again. 

I should mention that on each tour we went on, we had some of the most AMAZING guides. I wish I remembered names and took pictures of all of these wonderful and knowledgeable people. On this leg of tours we had a gentleman who was a tiny Penguin expert. This was important because we were making our way to the Penguin experience on Philip Island. 

We had a few more stops before the penguin experience since the penguins only come out at night, but he offered up so much information about the stars of the tour. Our next stop however was at the ocean. Can you see the blue of the pacific ocean?

I am pretty sure you can see it now. Our tour stopped at Cape Woolami a town just at the tip of Philip Island and home of one of Victoria's most popular surfing beaches.

There were no swimmers or surfers today! My mom and I made our way to the boardwalk and found out immediately why there were so few people at this beach. The winds were INSANE!

The beach, what little I was able to see short of being whipped with tiny grains of sand, was lovely. I spent all of my short time covered with my hoodie eyes closed and camera taking random shots. Thank goodness for our glasses or we would not see a thing.

It was all kind of fun to be blown about, but not pelted by the sand. Mom and I made this a quick look see and we were back on the coach. Several of our tour peers didn't even leave the bus.

Apparently this area is home of over a million short tailed sheerwaters. I never saw one nor have I even seen one, they were certainly not getting my attention on this day.

These short tailed sheerwaters are birds and they look like this. (Photo taken from the internet)

They are also know as Yolla or Moonbirds. Apparently they are often seen in these parts.

in addition to birds there are apparently whales out there somewhere.

It was incredibly pretty, but just a bit to windy to enjoy. I was digging sand out of my ears, hair and even in my clothing the rest of the night and even after a shower.

Up next our tour guide took us to a racetrack. Philip Island Grand Prix Race Circuit.

Racing here began in 1927 for motorcycles on a dirt path. Over the years it transformed into one of Australia best race courses and hosts the Superbike World Championship.

I am not positive, but it may also race cars. Today the track had very nice cars rolling quickly by our view from behind a fence and the walls of our coach.

Back at the shoreline we headed to some of the most amazing ocean views I have ever seen.

The Nobbies (actually a series of rocky cliffs out in the ocean) was an opportunity for us to walk along the rocky cliffs of this amazing shoreline (windless).

These goose are a little different from the geese back home, they are called Cape Barren Geese. What is so special about these guys (that we saw all over Philip Island) is that they were at one time almost extinct. These birds were hunted and eaten at such a popular rate during the 20th century there were nearly none left. They are protected now and against the law to hunt these pretty birds.




Back to the views.

I can only say, pictures do not do the beauty justice.

My mother and I walked along this boardwalk with our mouths wide open in awe of this incredible scenery. 

 Every step was beautiful.

 I could have watched the waves crash along these rocks for hours.

 Somewhere way out there is Seal Rock....(maybe if you squint and use a whole lot of imagination) you will see the millions of seals that bask in the sun on this rocked area along the coast.

In some of these pictures you may have caught a glimpse of these wooden structures spread out along the brush.

These wooden boxes that have been placed through out the side of these cliffs and all along the area are actually penguin burrows. Some of these burrows are boxes and many are holes in the dirt have been made by the penguins. In an effort to assist and encourage these  penguins to take up residence the wildlife park has offered these penguin condos for these little guys to make their homes. Below, you can just make out a baby penguin in the shadows.

A few more pictures of this coastline......

At this point in our tour, our guide had already given us the heads up on the Penguins, so we were  prepared for the evenings festivities. So let me start with a few little Penguin facts. These guys now so named "little" penguins as they used to be called Fairy Penguins are the smallest bread of penguins. Although this was only told to me so I do not know it as fact, but the name was changed as to not offend anyone. They max height to be about 16 inches tall and weigh about 2 pounds.  They are often referred to as little blue penguins as their feathers are grayish blue in color.

 The little penguins are only found in a few areas of the world; Southern Australia and Tasmania, New Zealand coast and off the coast of Wales. Their small statue makes these little guys great prey for Predatory animals. (Generally large birds). Because of this, these animals will leave their burrows early in the morning before the sun shines and make a parade back to their burrows after sunset.




All day long these little guys swim in the ocean feeding on fish, while their chick waits patiently in the burrow for them to return with dinner. At dusk they return in groups and make their way up cliffs and rocks to their awaiting babies. This is called the PENGUIN PARADE!!!

Although these little guys are not extinct, there numbers have decreased significantly over the years. Our wonderful guide told stories of sitting on the beach as a child and seeing these guys walk right along the shoreline next to his beach towel. This is no longer the case. As human populations grew with them came more danger and more predators for these little guys. Populations of feral cats and wild dogs assisted in decreasing the  population. Philip Island is  protected giving these little guys a chance.





My mother and I made our way into the exhibit center and ate the rest of our lunch before making our way down the boardwalk to our prime viewing seats.



The penguin update. Note the last count of penguins to cross the beach 2,031 penguins.


This is Summerland beach and the location of Penguin Highway, where over 2,000 little penguins will make their way up the shore to their burrows.

Mom and I got some of the best seats and we had prime highway views for the Parade event. 

It was however VERY cold. (Did you know North is hot and South is cold in Australia?)

There are no pictures allowed during the Penguin parade, we were told that the lighting (flash or not) affects their eyes and they might not make it to their burrows as a result. I am sure there is some truth to this, and I was most certain that any photography would indeed be the end of a penguins journey.   This rule is strictly enforced and those attempting to take some were scolded. (I scolded too...Do you want to be responsible for blinding a little penguin?)
The Phillip Island app has pictures to download, so here are a few.

But let me tell you about the experience.....IT WAS AMAZING!!!!

We were all ready for an event that most people will never experience and all afternoon my mom and I had been prepped for the parade of penguins. The evening sun sunk over the sea, darkness slowly moved over the beach and silence came over the crowd as we all strained our eyes to see a glimpse of these cute little guys make their way back home. The anticipation was incredible.....others in the crowd with binoculars claimed to see some coming up the shore. I searched and even took a look through those said binoculars....ah yes, I think I see something. Is it that group of rocks over there? Maybe my eyes were fooling me.....we wait some more.

Maybe they have all changed their minds this evening. All 2,000+ birds are playing with us. I felt I had to whisper when speaking the tension and anticipation engulfing me. I had to strain my ears to hear any squeaks of the chicks who we were told will start to cry out for their parents. Then....I see what looks like movement coming up the beach, is it? is it? AHHHH....Oh my...there they are. I cannot tell you how amazing it was to see a small group of white bellies wobbling toward us. Ever so slowly this first group of brave penguins walked in the direction towards the penguin highway. Baby chicks could be heard around us. Here they come little guys....dinner will soon be served....THEN....just like that the group ran away back out to the sea.

What just happened? We all went back to waiting again. Something must have startled the group. So we wait again. Eyes straining into the dark....anything yet? And once again we see the whites of their soft bellies bobble back and forth coming up the beach. They move together in a group of about 25. We all watch eyes wide as to not miss a moment, this first group makes several stops as it makes its way, and soon we see another group of white bellies emerging onto the shore, and another, and another, by now the 1st group has begun its ascend up the penguin highway and towards their awaiting chick. My mom and I have a perfect view of where the highway begins and excitement thrills us as we watch these little guys make jumps over the rocky terrain. There seems to be a traffic jam here as more gather up the beach and are delayed as several seem comfortable to stop just at the beginning of this path. More and more and more are awaiting behind. A few woddle by and we watch as they break off the highway and disappear into another smaller path heading up the step embankment. 

Soon the traffic starts flowing freely, penguins who had once stopped waiting for a friend in front to move, make their way around the stagnate few who seem perfectly content to rest on the roadway. Behind the stallers  looks like thousands of penguins and the group just keep getting bigger. After each sighting of another group seen on the shore making its way towards the highway, I thought wow there are more and just as I thought this must be all of them, another group of white would make its way to the cluster of blues waiting to climb the highway bluffs.  It seemed like millions of these guys were making their way up the cliff. I was overwhelmed over just how many took over the stretch of sand and rocks that led up the hill. Inpatient penguins began to take alternative routes and were soon seen perched on the grassy areas directly in front of us. My mother and I found humor in watching several of the penguins jump over the small embankment. Each one had a different way to land the jump. Some wobbled effortlessly in their land and continued forward, others took the land belly first, some face first, some would lean left/right in the land others would do little hops and pop up. The hopping fellas were the most fun as you would watch their little wobble and a quick hop emerge from between the grass. Mom and I were mesmerized and I could have watched all night. More continued up the beach from the sea even as we decided to make our way up the boardwalk. We were recommended to look along this area as they continue up the embankment several along and under the boardwalk area.  We were able to walk side by side with several of them and we could look down along the highway which gave us an opportunity to marvel in each differing personality. They were just so stinkin cute. We watch one parent fed a chick along the sandy cliff, and were shocked to keep seeing these little guys along our route as we continued up the boardwalk. I decided if I was one of those penguins, my burrow would be a much shorter distance from the ocean. It is a LONG ways to home and they have little wobbly legs. It truly was amazing to think about just how much work it must take for these guys each and every evening. Working all day to feed, dodging sharks and other marine predators, swimming skillfully through the waters to end the day with a long upward climb. If you remember those boxes on the cliffs earlier, these were located at least a mile away from where we had watched these little guys emerge. I was told they all take Penguin Highway home only veering off in the pathways that lead in the direction of home.  The wildlife federation has also rebuilt the building areas located at the very top of the boardwalk to expand the growth of these little guys. This location is very very far up the cliff, but somehow I know these little guys will get there.  I could possibly go on and on about this evening, but even the few sentences I strung together on the event cant possibly give anyone the feelings that went along with what we witnessed tonight. Adjectives can't begin to express. It was simply put incredible.
It was certainly an experience I will never forget and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity. Saddened to leave we had to be back at the coach by 9pm and we still had over an hour drive back to the hotel. Early departure the following day too. Somehow, mom and I made it back to the hotel and took a quick run over to the casino where we exchanged some more money. As tired as I was, I don't know how I fell asleep as memories of the day filled my thoughts...lovely sweet dreams of soft white penguin bellies and blue light feathers hoping over small embankments to waddle up steep cliffs.......

Day 3:
Flying to Cairns

Up...TIRED, but up, breakfast  and ....we made our way to the airport for our next Australian adventure. We were heading North to Cairns!!!!

Wow.....its only day 3 and I feel like I have done so much already. I'm not sure if I will ever have an experience as amazing as those penguins, but there is so much more ahead...until then TTFN.