World Australia Victoria Melbourne

Colin's World Tour

Melbourne/Phillip Island Mar 1, 2004

Slept in until almost 9:00 today and that was nice. Called Larysa about 10:00 and we agreed to meet at 11:30. I was uncharacteristically late but she was good about it and we went to find some lunch. After some pizza we agreed to go to the Rialto Tower, the tallest building in Melbourne. Took some good pictures but, more than anything, got a good perspective of the city. Went back to her hotel, made a reservation to go to the Penguin Parade (more on that later), and then headed (via the train/subway) to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). We were able to get a tour of the biggest cricket venue in the world which is currently being renovated to take the capacity to 120,000 seats. (Cricket is fascinating by the way...ask me when I get home and I'll explain it to you...I think it's great!) There was also a President's match going on so we were able to see some real live cricket being played. Headed to the city (via the tram this time) to meet up with our tour. Back on the bus (oh will I never get enough of the bus?) to head about two hours South and East to Phillip Island. Phillip Island is home to one of the largest colonies of Blue Penguins. (Blue Penguins are the smallest of any penguins.) They are also renowned for their daily "parade" from the ocean to their nests on the hills above the beach every evening at dusk. This was truly an amazing experience. They were hysterical: they would come out on the shore from the water in groups of twos and threes (and sometimes more) then get scared and dive back into the water. They would do this a couple of times and then get up a full head of steam and then waddle their way up the hills toward their nests. There are permanent grandstands and floodlights built around their paths and they just waddle right by (cameras and video equipment are prohibited) chattering to each other the whole way. Apparently they eat all day and so they are kind of full. So, as they head up the hill they will sometimes take pit stop and kind of roll forward (it's not a long trip) onto their stomachs. It was really cute and well worth the money and the long night. After another two+ hours on the bus they dropped us all off at or near our accommodations. I got to the hostel about 12:00, checked email, and headed to bed.

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