The dates: Feb. 15-19
The transportation: a train (12 hour train ride overnight)
The players: Julia- super cool girl who im very close to right now. she is Canadian
Jessi - American girl who is just like me so we get along great
Laura - Canadian girl who is into graphic design.... she is not like any of my friends at home but she is cool
Jenny - girl from England very sweet and very quiet
Katie - canadian girl who wanted to tag along
Saturday
We got into melbourne at around 7:30 in the morning and went straight to a coffee shop. From there we pulled out the map and found our way to our hostel. This was my first hostel experience and I must say that it was a good one. The beds were clean and the showers were pretty good. We had a 6 person room so we didnt have to share with strangers. There was a bar downstairs and free toast in the morning for breakfast. It was no hotel but for 27 bucks a night it was great. From the hostel we headed to the markets downtown. We had Kababs (which are AMAZING- pitas with lamb or chicken) and then headed back to relax and get to bed somewhat early for the next days adventure to Phillips island.
Sunday
On sunday we woke up early and ate our free toast and coffee that the hostel gives out. At noon we had a GO WEST bus pick us up and take us on our trip to phillips island. The first stop we made was to a winery that was about an hour out of melbourne. I really liked the australian wine that we were able to taste. After some tea and coffee at the winery we got back on the bus and headed to a wildlife refuge. This was one of the best experiences I had while in Melbourne. Here we were able to pet a wombat which was pretty much the cutest thing i have ever seen. Then we were allowed to take a picture with a koala and after that go and pet and feed the kangaroos and wallabies. After a bit of time we ended up headed out and off to the island. When we got to the island it was very unique. There were cows and pastures right next to cliffs and water. The first place we headed to on the island were the nobbies which were cliff like islands off of the mainland. It was beautiful, almost something you would expect to see in ireland. We even were able to see a couple little penguins that were hanging out around the bridges. After that stop our driver took us to dinner where I got a aussie pizza which consisted of ham and egg. Then we were really off to see the imfamous little penguins. We spent a little extra money and were able to sit closer to the water where a couple thousand of these little guys come out to go home. Before they started coming out of the water you would see baby penguins popping out of there burrows to watch for their parents. Once darkness hit we saw this one penguin, about the size of a seagull(maybe smaller) waddled out. Then in about groups of 15 or 20 they would come out and go into there burrows. It was truly an amazing experience and one that i will never forget.
Monday
On monday we had to be ready to leave at around 7 in the morning. This was pretty tough being that we didnt get to bed till around 1 the night before. We went with the same GO WEST company for this trip except this time we were headed to the Great Ocean Road. This trip was mainly just driving but the sights we saw were amazing. We first headed to some of the best surfing areas in the world and watched some surfers go at it. Then we just went around to cliff after cliff and beach after beach. The water the entire time was bright blue, almost like something you would see in the islands back home. We went to an area where there were a ton of koalas and got the chance to see them VERY up close and personal. One walked right past us, crossing the road. After that was lunch where i had my first experience of fish and chips..... pretty good! We then headed off to the rainforest that was very green and right next to the cliffs and beaches we were just at. Our drivers told us not to worry about snakes or spiders there but to worry about carnivorous snails! ha! After that we headed off to the twelve apostles which were far more beautiful in person than any camera could capture. Unfortunatly we didnt stay there long. But the bus driver saved the best part for last. At the end of the trip we went to a place called the gorge and it was AMAZING! it was cliffs towering over us and the bluest water coming in from the ocean. I will be putting pics up later from it.
Tuesday
At this point we were tired and lazy so we just hit up an art museum and then got ready to leave on the train. I must admit that i am a huge fan of aboriginal art. it is very unique and pure.
well im tired and ready for bed but i will start writing more on here!!! i will also put some pics up when i get the chance
