Happy Australia Day! Ok, well technically the day is nearly over for my friends Down Under but I had to give a little shout out to an amazing country. I was never someone who put visiting Australia on her "bucket list" but when the chance came to visit Lori and Leon in 2010, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Even in the middle of a Melbourne winter, Australia delighted. From the outdoorsy: lush hill country and and temperate rainforests, koala-spotting and paddling with platypus... to the decadent: the food! the wine! the shops! the wine! And the coffee. Oh my, the coffee. Even the most out of the way rest stop seemed to possess an espresso maker and a knowledgeable barista. Australia? Who knew?
And most of all the people. Maybe it's because traveling is so much part of their own culture and they know what it's like to be a visitor but I found everyone I met - from shopkeepers to Lori and Leon's besties - to be welcoming, gregarious and warm; interested in hearing about Canada and so proud to show off their country.
So cheers Australia! Thanks for giving me a great adventure!
I'm home from my Australian adventure and I have loads of photos to go through but until I get them organized here are a dozen favourite Australian moments...
Emigration poster 1948. Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria
It's finally here! the day I leave for my big Australian adventure!! Up to now, I've pretty much been an armchair traveller. I've never been further south than Florida or further west than St. Louis. And now I'm about to fly 10,000 miles to the other side of the planet. This would be a trip of a lifetime under the most "ordinary" circumstances - two world-class cities, breath-taking coastal drives, wineries and wildlife - but it's so much more special because I get to spend it with my dearest friend Lori who I haven't seen in 6 months! (almost to the day!)
this was us then...
This is by far the longest we've ever been separated in our 11-year friendship. So the idea that I get to see her in less than a day and half has me completely giddy.
Not sure how much I'll be able to blog during the trip but there will be many photos and stories to share!
xo
I haven't even left for Australia yet and already the trip has been so much fun. Making lists, making plans, anticipation - these are things my dear friend Lori and I love. (And why we're great travelling companions and friends.) There have been more and more excited emails and giddy Skype calls as the trip draws closer. She has the most amazing adventures planned for us and I can't wait to share them all with you.
The other evening as I was sitting down to write her an email she rang up on Skype to run a plan by me.
She suggested doing our platypus paddle on the evening of the 26th instead of the next morning. We'll get to see the glow-worms at dusk (seriously!) and then head to Apollo Bay on the coast for the night. Next morning: the Great Ocean Road.
And I told her that I had been literally sitting down to write her that June 26th is a full moon (because we are the sort of girls who care about such things). And now we would see it over Apollo Bay instead of inland and how perfect was that.
She agreed that it was meant to be.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Also I've had this adorable and happy song in my head since that conversation.
