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!

Brighton Beach Houses

Yesterday afternoon we Rollerbladed/biked down to Brighton Beach.  It's famous for the Beach Houses.  Apparently these things cost around $250,000, and you don't even officially own them (the city does).  I guess it's a status symbol.  As you can see, they are painted in lots of fun colors.  I didn't realize there were so many of them...about 75.  I guess people use them for changing clothes and such during the summer.  Last night, a few groups were having picnics or getting photographs taken in front of them.  They are pretty!

It's getting rather chilly around here-only up near 60 degrees (I haven't learned Celsius yet!) during the day.  It's very strange seeing palm trees combined with cold weather and Autumn leaves on the ground.  We even had to turn on the heat in our apartment because the nights were getting too cold.  I hear Denver is in the 80s-I'm kind of jealous!