Nov 4, 2009 - Melbourne

Our day in Melbourne “Murder on the Orient Express” … Agatha Christie Right from the beginning, let me explain that this was not what you might call your typical tourist day in Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city after Sydney. ... The “tram” rambles through the extensive streetcar network in downtown Melbourne for two hours mixing in with the commercial tram traffic on wide avenues, narrow inner city streets, and past parklands and waterfront vistas. ... We were met at the cruise terminal by a large comfortable motor coach and given an hour long narrated tour of all the main sights of Melbourne. ... This city is sporting oriented hosting the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament, a Formula One Grand Prix, various Australian sports championships, and the renowned Melbourne Cup horse race that was held the day before we arrived (I was able to get a bet down on two horses in the 24 horse field through my on line account…no luck). ... My panoramic picture of Melbourne Harbour with all the sailboats was stitched together by this software in less than 30 seconds. ...

Nov 2, 2009 - Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Ayers Rock

Hey all, We arrived in Adelaide and there are not many photos as we found this city a little underwhelming but we did go to Kangaroo Island from there and had nice day.Hey all, We arrived in Adelaide and there are not many photos as we found this city a little underwhelming but we did go to Kangaroo Island from there and had nice day....

Oct 27, 2009 - Falling off of the edge of the world (again)

I've arguably started this a little early, but I'll give it a little warm up before the main trip to Europe/japan. I have no weekends left in Melbourne/Victoria till February next year. ... In the interim 3 months, I’ll go to 2 states, 5 countries and 3 continents, cross 1 strait, 2 sea’s, and 1 ocean, via 2 buses, 9 planes, 1 ferry, and 1 motorcycle.I've arguably started this a little early, but I'll give it a little warm up before the main trip to Europe/japan. I have no weekends left in Melbourne/Victoria till February next year. ... In the interim 3 months, I’ll go to 2 states, 5 countries and 3 continents, cross 1 strait, 2 sea’s, and 1 ocean, via 2 buses, 9 planes, 1 ferry, and 1 motorcycle....

Oct 25, 2009 - Day 93 - 96 – Melbourne

and Melbourne seems to do the particularly well. ... Now Marika is living in Melbourne and has met an Aussie guy…. ... Friday No wedding related work today so we had a day in Melbourne, ‘at leisure’. ... After the markets we wandered around Melbourne CBD, nothing more involved than that. ... On the way out to the airport we dropped Al at a tram stop so she could explore Melbourne a little more…. ...

Oct 24, 2009 - Melbourne

Oct 24, 2009 - The Forest is Petrified!

Saturday October 24, 2009 – The Coastal Explorers Way The Forest is Petrified! After Warrnambool (one of my favourite Aussie place names) The Great Ocean Road becomes The Coastal Explorers Way (“TCEW”).Saturday October 24, 2009 – The Coastal Explorers Way The Forest is Petrified! After Warrnambool (one of my favourite Aussie place names) The Great Ocean Road becomes The Coastal Explorers Way (“TCEW”)....

Oct 23, 2009 - Australia

Gisterenavond goed aangekomen in Melbourne. ... Iets voor middernacht onder de wol gekropen en vandaag het centrum van Melbourne verkend. ... Straks opnieuw de vlieger op naar Auckland.Gisterenavond goed aangekomen in Melbourne. ... Iets voor middernacht onder de wol gekropen en vandaag het centrum van Melbourne verkend. ... Straks opnieuw de vlieger op naar Auckland....

Oct 23, 2009 - Flying the Otway

Friday October 23, 2009 – The Great Ocean Road Flying the Otway TGOR turns inland after Apollo Bay to cut through the Great Otway National Park.Friday October 23, 2009 – The Great Ocean Road Flying the Otway TGOR turns inland after Apollo Bay to cut through the Great Otway National Park....

Oct 22, 2009 - The Long & Winding Road

Thursday October 22, 2009 – The Great Ocean Road The Long & Winding Road Long drive? Leave early.Thursday October 22, 2009 – The Great Ocean Road The Long & Winding Road Long drive? Leave early....

Oct 21, 2009 - Day 92 – Perth to Melbourne – Kids in confined spaces!!!

Once in Melbourne we had the misfortune to have a car booked with Red Spot car rentals. ... It is probably an indication of how much we are enjoying the ‘caravanning lifestyle’ that with all of the choices of accommodation in Melbourne we chose to stay in, you guessed it, a caravan park. ... (the caravan does havea bathroom but if you use it you need to clean it so we use someone else’ s) Melbourne has thrown us tonight. ... In Melbourne at 8pm there is still a little bit of light on the horizon. ...

Oct 21, 2009 - The Honourable Member from Geelong

Wednesday October 21 2009 – Melbourne The Honourable Member from Geelong Richard was our guide during our tour of the Parliament Building for the State of Victoria. ... Earlier in the day, we wandered the streets and trams of Melbourne. ... Melbourne has an extensive system of street level trams. ... Hubie, they need you too! Otherwise, the entire city is now gearing up for the Melbourne Cup horse race, which is held the first Tuesday in November every year (November 3rd this year). ...

Oct 20, 2009 - Koalas & Penguins & Sheep, Oh My!

Tuesday October 20, 2009 – Phillip Island Koalas and Penguins and Sheep, Oh My! The most trusting animal in the world is likely the baby koala who blissfully hangs upside down in the notch of two tree branches about 30 feet (or more) in the air, apparently certain that it’s mother will not in fact let go at any point. The evenings Penguin Parade was followed by the Parade of Tourists back to Melbourne. ... Like the Penguins, they often formed single file packs while avoiding all the nighttime roadwork along the M1 Toll Freeway system.Tuesday October 20, 2009 – Phillip Island Koalas and Penguins and Sheep, Oh My! The most trusting animal in the world is likely the baby koala who blissfully hangs upside down in the notch of two tree branches about 30 feet (or more) in the air, apparently certain that it’s mother will not in fact let go at any point. The evenings Penguin Parade was followed by the Parade of Tourists back to Melbourne. ... Like the Penguins, they often formed single file packs while avoiding all the nighttime roadwork along the M1 Toll Freeway system....