Down Under

Rather than go back to the US for holidays, we decided this year to go visit Isha and Brenton in Melbourne. It was a bit odd for me, as I had to work most days so I was "in the office" at the hotel most afternoons, but got the chance to do some sightseeing in the mornings, and a couple of days I had off.

Rather than list the full itinerary, I'll just share a few places we saw.


We went to St. Kildas, and walked along the beach. My cousin Jan Marc, and my nephew Satchel were visiting as well.


We saw the tiny penguins (well actually penguin) on the pier. Too many people crowded around to get any good pictures.

On Christmas the Cicadas were very loud, this one joined us on the table after we ate dinner.

Cindy and I went for a drive down the Great Ocean Road. She put her toes in the Tasman Sea, and in the Southern Ocean.

And along the way we saw the 12 Apostles (though there are only 11 left standing now). It looked a lot like the California coast except that you have to drive on the wrong side of the road. And to prove we were there:


And of course we had to see Kangaroos, so we visited the Healsville Sanctuary where we saw all sorts of strange Australian wildlife.






And we even managed to stop at a winery and sample the local wines. No pictures, but we did bring back a couple of bottles to India.

Oh Yeah, We also went to the beach, where many went surfing, though your's truely had to get back to the "office" so I skipped this activity.


Satchel and Jan Marc did manage to do fairly well.
Here's Satchel on the Right.


And Jan Marc:


Even Marian got in on it.


And then on the way home I got serenaded by this group in BLUE at the Singapore airport. The picture is a bit blurry, but that's how I was feeling after 6 hours flying on New Years Day.


The rest of my Christmas in Melbourne photos can be found here.