Beach, Wine, and Putt Putt Golf

For my family's final full day in Australia, we did a lot. Who am I kidding? We did a lot for the whole two weeks they were here! Anyway, we started with "morning tea" at Brighton Beach. Everyone enjoyed picking out his or her favorite bathing box while eating lamingtons (an Australian sponge cake dessert) and drinking raspberry lemonade. We played some beach games and then headed to our next location.

After driving through the Sherbrooke Forest, we headed to the top of Mount Dandenong for lunch. We enjoyed the view of Melbourne's CBD from afar and had fun playing among the daisies, climbing the Giant's Chair, and looking through the Wishing Tree.

Then it was off to Domaine Chandon for their winery tour and a tasting. My dad really likes wine, so it was fun to show him the Australian wine region.

After the wine tasting, it was nice to relax out by the vineyards. Yes, it's a rough life, but somebody's got to live it!

We stopped off at another winery and had "afternoon tea," which included yummy cheese, crackers, and strawberries.

Then it was back to Melbourne, where we played a round of glow-in-the-dark putt putt golf in the Docklands using some coupons. Justin had been waiting anxiously for this event. I was proud to beat him and win the game!

Zack met us after work for an Indian dinner in the Docklands, and the Dills later went to bed for their last time Down Under!

Shopping, Sun, Sand, and Surf

Playing around near Darling Harbour.

My mom wrote most of this post too...(Mom, when did you do all of these?)

Um, yes, that is my dad planking in a water feature.

Saturday, November 12 began with a walk to Darling Harbour, a harbour just beside the famous Sydney Harbour.  It was quite a diverse shopping center with many restaurants, cafes, and and tourist shops.  There were various fountains and water features as well. 

This is made entirely of Legos!

After using yet another one of Aubree’s fabulous coupons and eating the most delicious pizza, we donned our swimsuits and took a bus to one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, Bondi Beach. 

Busy Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is a large expanse of a fine white sand gashed out of rock platforms that borders the most beautiful aquamarine water.  Unfortunately, because of the cove’s shape, the swimming area is known for its dangerous and sometimes deadly rip currents.  Perhaps some of you have seen Bondi Rescue featured on one of the cable stations – I have not, but was quickly informed that the show features all of the happenings at the beach, including many swimming rescues.  While we were there, we ourselves saw three successful rescues – and each time, someone in our group could be heard saying, “Bondi Rescue!”  The beach was very popular for tanned and toned bods and a great place to people watch, and as we discovered, it's apparently one of Australia’s topless beaches. We chose not to participate in this custom.  

Listen to the signs...

...or you might get "Bondi rescued"!

Sculpture by the Sea, an annual outdoor sculpture exhibition, was taking place while we were there, so we walked along the oceanfront and saw several unique pieces of art.

Sculpture by the Sea piece

After returning to Sydney, we took a 30-minute ferry boat ride through the Sydney Harbour to Manly, a peninsula lined with fine restaurants and tourist attractions.  The ferry gave us a stunning view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge spectacularly lit up in the evening sky.  We ate at a German restaurant that featured many kinds of sausage and delicious sauerkraut.  The evening was topped off by some delectable chocolate treats from Max Brenner Chocolate Bar.  -Sue

Sydney Opera House view from Manly ferry.

Lots more posts to come...our day in the Blue Mountains, time spent in Melbourne and along the Great Ocean Road, my adventures with Morgan in Uluru, etc. Thanks for reading!  -Aubree

Harbour Bridge view from Circular Quay.

Kuranda by Train and Cableway

Barron Falls near Kuranda

Sorry for the lack of posting lately; Morgan and I have been in the Outback with no cell phone service and definitely no internet! Lots of catching up to do (with many stories). Anyway, this post actually should have come before the one about our flight over the reef. Oh well. My mom was nice enough to write some blog posts for me, so this one's in her words again...

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Wednesday, November 9 began early with a taxi ride to the Cairns Station to begin our Kuranda Scenic Railway train ride. We sat in comfortable restored passenger railcars, which rambled and wound their way through the city and forest to the tourist town of Kuranda.  Once there, we trekked a two-mile trail along the river and through the rainforest.  We had an adventurous lunch – crocodile, emu, and kangaroo burgers.  They actually were delicious!

Cindy shows off her kangaroo burger.

Aubree, Zack, Cindy, Justin, and Ray canvassed the souvenir shops. Justin, the expert on all things sweet, discovered and bought some taffy that even those of us who usually find taffy too sweet, found to be quite tasty.  Morgan and I went to the Kuranda Koala Gardens where Morgan officially and completely fulfilled her lifelong dream to hold a koala – it was an exciting moment to behold!

My mom crashes in on Morgan's koala picture.

Next we boarded the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which looked like a ski gondola and traveled over and across the rainforest canopy.  Our trip included two stops that allowed us to walk down to and explore the rainforest floor. 

Just a little walk through the rainforest.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent casually walking the beach, reading, taking naps, cooking the “never ending pasta” meal and playing Uno at the mansion.  This relaxing family time is priceless!  -Sue

The Coral Sea looked beautiful from the Skyrail Cableway!

The Dills Are Here!

They are here! My mom, dad, brother Justin, sister-in-law Cindy, and sister Morgan are in Australia. I'll let them write now.

Some nice person waited almost two hours with a fun sign for these folks to finally show up!

We made it!  It's beautiful here, and it's wonderful to be with Aubree (we haven't seen Zack yet - he's at work).  The 15 1/2 hour plane ride from LA to Melbourne wasn't that bad.  With over 200 movies to choose from, snacks and drinks whenever we wanted, plus lots of naps, the time passed fairly quickly.  Let the adventures begin!  Sue

We took a short walk by the bay and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze.  It was so nice to be able to walk and stretch our legs after such a long flight. Today is for relaxing, which is good because I am really tired. Looking forward to an early night and starting some adventures tomorrow! -Cindy

A short tram ride down Fitzroy Street

Coming out of the terminal at the airport on our way to get our luggage, I saw something shiny on the ground.  I bent over to pick it up and discovered it was a silver coin.  I put it in my pocket because I thought I was now rich.  Once we finally got our luggage, minus one bag that is still in Dallas, we finally got to see Aubree.  The first question I asked her was, "What is this coin; am I rich?"  She told me she had no idea.  I think I picked up a 1 yen coin.  I am not rich.  ~Justin

Waving their Aussie flags.

Somehow, I always knew my knowledge of the Australian National Anthem would be worth it, and as you can tell by the Aussie patriotism exhibited by the Dill family, it is certainly worth it. So far the actual koala count is zero, but the koala souvenir count is rising quickly.  Trying to keep it under control...probably not going to do a good job.  Did I mention I was in Australia?  Yeah, that's right. ~Morgan

A great first day of being met at the airport, getting settled in at our rental apartment, a quick walk along St. Kilda's beach, and past St. Kilda's restaurants and pastry shops and bars.  Really, really great to get the whole family together for laughs and stories.  Exchanged early Christmas gifts which felt like cheating just a bit.  Aubree has an Australian dinner planned tonight.  More stories later. ~ Dad Dill

So my family all just headed back to their apartment for some naps before dinner. I might sneak a quick one in myself before I fire up the BBQ for our Australian dinner (lamb skewers, pumpkin soup, sausages, chips, and Tim Tam slams). We'll be hitting up Acland Street for dessert. Lots more to come...