Yep. Today was my last Monday in this country.
WHAT???? COSA?????????
It's like the mission, and pretty much everything else in life. The beginning goes so slow, sometimes even agonizingly so. But then half way rolls around and the rest flies by. My first month and even the second month were pretty slow - I wasn't doing much of anything besides work during the week and not knowing exactly what to do during the weekends. Then my 2 week break in July came and it was packed full of awesomeness, and then ever since that time 2 months ago I have been much busier doing things with people from my ward, other au pairs, and traveling around more. So yeah, I have less than a week left now which seems unreal.
On to Melbourne!
My flight didn't get in until about 11:30pm on Friday. I knew ahead of time that I would take the Skybus (transportation from the airport to the city) and then from the dropoff point which was a train station apparently they had a hotel transfer for free. That was my plan, but I didn't see that this was only in practice until 11:30pm. I didn't get to the station until after midnight...and I didn't have a backup plan or a map or internet. HAHA. I was walking alone in this station where I saw only men and no women around and no idea how far away my hostel was...slightly problematic. I eventually made my way outside and there were tram tracks and I found a lady who looked very nice and asked for directions. People love my accent and this lady was so helpful and directed me in the correct way. So eventually I made it to my hostel around 1:00am where I was in a room with 11 other girls who were ALL ASLEEP. On a Friday night I expected people to be out clubbing - which there were plenty of those people - just not in my room. :) It made it difficult to find the only empty bed in the dark haha. So I was really tired but had to be up early the next morning to catch my tour and I was extremely paranoid that I wouldn't wake up in time...so that combined with snoring and coughing people in my room made for little sleep. At 6:30am I arose to everybody still sleeping in my room and out I went.
Running group.
Saturday was my day to travel on the Great Ocean Road. It is compared to Highway 1 in California (yeah PCH!) but is apparently more beautiful here in Victoria. This was the main reason I wanted to come to Melbourne honestly, and it was awesome.
Some of the coastline.
The famous Twelve Apostles is at the end of the journey.
The shoreline suddenly went from gradual rocky hills into the ocean to sheer sandstone cliffs. There used to be 12 of these random limestone outcroppings but now there are only 7 still standing.
Playing with camera settings.
I'm surprised we didn't hit some cyclists.
Razorback rock.
Loch Ard Gorge.
When I originally planned my tour I signed up for the shorter one with less stops so I could be back in the city in time to see a show at night. But that tour didn't have enough people, so they told me I could upgrade to the longer one for free or change the day or get a refund. The later one didn't end until 7:30pm, give or take some time, but that is when my show started, so I was very internally conflicted. I couldn't find a short tour anywhere else and I couldn't nor did I want to get a refund on my show ticket. So I decided to do the longer tour and just show up late (hopefully not too much) to the musical. It all worked out very well actually. I was a little late to the play but only about 20 minutes, and my tour guide gave me a ride straight to the theater which was awesome!!! When I got inside I was afraid they'd make me wait outside until intermission or something but I got to go right inside!!
And I saw Les Mis!! SOOOO GOOD!! Some of those songs just give me chills, and the singing was fantastic and the stage play very creative and cool to watch. Well done Melbourne.
It was a packed day. The roadtrip on the Great Ocean Road was over 550 kilometers and I can see now that doing it in a shorter time would have been difficult. I'm glad I got to do the longer one and still see my show. I left the theater with a big smile and made my way back to the hostel at around 11:00pm, grabbed a cheeseburger meal next door because I was starving, and when I went back inside there were tons of people partying but in my room like half the girls were already sleeping! Man, I thought I was the one with a lame idea of nightlife!
On Sunday I didn't have any set plans except that I had to catch my flight at 6:30pm. Melbourne is the city of trams and they have a free one that does a city loop (GENIUS). So I did that and got on and off when I felt like it and walked around a ton and enjoyed a beautiful day outside!!! It was so happy.
The Yarra river where lots of rowing happens.
It seems most of the big cities in Australia have a river running through it.
The architecture in Melboure is fantastic. Lots of big churches and cool buildings.
I just liked the colors.
I just think this looks cool!
On one of the tram stops I got off on I was just walking around in whatever direction and I found the Italian precinct of the city purely by accident.
It was no accident when I ordered a pizza cooked in a wood oven and an arranciata rossa for lunch.
It was TROPPO BUONA. Seriously heavenly.
Apparently there are more Italians living in Melbourne than in any other city outside of Italy in the world. Pretty cool, no wonder the pizza was so good.
Pretty.
I have no idea what this building even is, but it was huge and beautiful.
St. Patrick's cathedral, another massive Catholic church. I love those.
There is a whole alleyway of graffiti art and it was amazing.
I enjoyed my time in Melbourne. It was a quick trip, but that is how most of my traveling in Oz has gone. So I shove lots of adventure into 2 days and the trip is made completely worth it!
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