Advance warning: This camera roll contains mild pasty white butt nudity. Proceed as you wish.
Adelaide Camera Roll – January 17th – 19th
Australia
2.5 Days in Adelaide
Our hosts, Aaron and Renza, had warned us that Adelaide might feel like a small town after visiting Melbourne. I found that although it did feel smaller, the access to mountains and beaches that it afforded made it well worth the trip.
The flight to Adelaide from Melbourne was about 1.5 hours. The airport is very close to the city and further boosted the creed of Adelaide being the “20-minute city” in that everything feels about 20 min away.
Our first day we landed early in the morning and our host, Chinthana, was there to meet us at the airport. Chinthana and Jackson have known each other for a very long time and have been close friends since their days in Christchurch. Currently, Chin is a professor at University of South Australia and while he had some classes and work to get to at University, he lent us his car.
Our first stop took us out of the city and into the Adelaide Hills: full of vineyards and farms. It felt a bit like Southern California. We drove to visit Hahndorf, a small area established by immigrating Germans in the early half of the 19th century. Today the area is visited for its German cuisine and history. The food was okay and a bit pricey.
I visited Germany (specifically Bavaria) in summer 2016. Compared to that visit Hahndorf seemed somewhat silly. I liked the original old buildings that the first settlers had put up. There were plaques posted outside the doorways describing what the building’s purpose used to be. Otherwise I found the “authentic” German music that was piped in over the loudspeakers and the “authentic” German garb one could buy at the souvenir shops a bit garish.
Walking the main strip, we got too hot for more and decided to head straight for Maslin Beach.
It was a hot day: about 98F or 38C depending on who you ask. The air was dry, so it’s easy to cool off in some shade, but to be in the sun is to sizzle. Maslin Beach seemed like a great idea for a place to go cool off. It’s located about 1 hour south of Adelaide and is ranked as one of the top 10 best beaches in Australia. We had to check it out.
The beach was well worth it. There were beautiful bluffs that stretched the length, ending in a cliff that people were jumping off in the distance. The sand was soft and the water a bright tourquoise that felt exquisite to be in. We settled onto the sand for only 10-15 min at a time before getting too hot and jumping in the water again.
Jackson pointed out a bunch of umbrellas farther down the beach and suggested we go check out what was pulling people so far away from the parking lot.
Making our way down we realized that that section was a nude beach! We’d never been to a nude beach before and after hesitating for a few minutes decided to move there.
The nude section was so chilled out. Everyone was naked, of course, but no one seemed to care at all. I especially enjoyed walking into the water to swim. At a normal beach I feel like I have to constantly watch my bathing suit top because the waves will push it off my chest and that can be embarrassing. On a nude beach? Ha! I’d definitely go to another one. It was nice. There weren’t any old creepy guys (there were old fat guys, though) and there was a healthy mix of couples and younger women sunbathing as well.
On day two we were taken out to Cleland park in order to climb to the summit and enjoy views of the city from Mount Lofty. Chinthana joined us on this trip and it was nice to catch up with him as we huffed our way up the slope. The path can get really steep at times! There was a nice breeze and it was a lot cooler that it had been the day before, making the hike very enjoyable. At the top of the mountain was a café! Sweet! We got nice cold drinks and enjoyed the view. The hike took a few hours and was free. A great place to spend a morning/afternoon.
Arriving back in Adelaide, we strolled through Rundle Mall. It’s mostly outdoors and had a wide selection of shops. I liked the statues that were scattered around.
For dinner, Dinithi (Chinthana’s fiancée) made Jackson and I a delicious spread of Sri Lankan food. It was my first time trying cashew curry and the spicy chicken and yellow daal dishes were supremely delicious. As we’re planning on going to Sri Lanka in a few days, Chin and Dinithi talked us through some customs from their country and gave us some tips.
Before our flight on our third and last day, Jackson and I went to check out Glenelg, a beach town south of Adelaide. It was OK. We liked Maslin beach better. The Tour Down Under 2017 (like an Australian Tour De France) was happening as we arrived and I got to watch the bikers race past which was cool. The city was overrun with cyclists. They were EVERYWHERE. It was cool to walk through the streets and see the numerous amounts of helmets, bikes, and gear. Glenelg was alright to see, I wouldn’t make it a huge trip.
I do wish we could have spent longer than 2.5 days. I think driving around the hills would have been nice and seeing some more of the coast would have been a cool thing to do. We’ll have to come back.
Healesville Sanctuary Camera Roll – January 16th
Melbourne Camera Roll – January 12th-15th – Part 2
Part 1
Melbourne Camera Roll – January 12th-15th – Part 1
Part 2
5 Days in Melbourne
Prior to coming to Australia, I’d thought of the country as a wonderland of koalas, desert, and the mythical kangaroo. I’d watched Aussie movies like “Crocodile Dundee” and “Muriel’s Wedding” and stuff with Nicole Kidman (they all accurately represent this massive southern continent, no?).
We decided to check out Melbourne because it had been described to us as the “New York” of Oz. No one had said anything bad about Melbourne and it seemed a good place to start after New Zealand.
We stayed with a very sweet family in Brunswick, a suburb of Mel. There’s Aaron (who offered over Facebook as a friend-of-a-friend to take us in) his wife, Renza; daughter, Poppy; cat and three dogs who all live in a gorgeous Edwardian house.
From the few days we’ve spent in this town I can say with certainty that the Aussies we’ve met have been very giving, sweet and open: Melbourne is the total package.
The first 3 days consisted of walking around the city. We strolled through downtown snapping pictures at all the old architecture from the turn of the 20th century. I had no idea that Melbourne had so many beautiful brick buildings! We stopped and stared at so many.
There are small alleys and lanes, too. I was reminded of European cities in that there are so many small nooks and crannies to explore.
As we exited one small street I saw the windows of an old looking Italian espresso bar. Following my instincts we went in for lunch at Pellegrini’s Bar and had the ravioli. It was delicious, but the portions were huge so we only ordered one plate to share. I highly recommend checking the place out. It felt very much like Old New York City and the places I’ve eaten in in Italy. I did have a small chuckle hearing an Aussie accent come out when they spoke English instead of a thick New York accent (like what I’m used to).
We wandered through parks.
The weather was gorgeous the 1st day so we stopped in the shade of a tree for a nap and as I woke up a large seagull pooped on my back! The seagulls are such assholes DO NOT TRUST THEM. Thankfully, Jackson was ready to help clean the crap off my back in a jiffy. What a guys. He would have earned more brownie points had he then killed the seagull who did it…
Aaron collected us and took us to St. Kilda’s to see the beach and nightlife. We had some dinner on the sand and walked along an open market, watching a busker dance on a wheel. The birds at dusk are very loud, so loud they were competing with the music!
The second day it rained so we went to the National Gallery of Victoria (which is free to see). The Gallery is very nice and a good place to spend a rainy afternoon.
After perusing some more shops downtown we called into a sweet cafe called “1000 Pound Bend” for some WiFi and a seat.
We took the tram to get back to Aaron’s. It was very simple and easy. Cost about $4AUD each one-way.
Aaron and his family invited us along to a pub to meet some friends. I had my first Kangaroo burger which was delicious. Aussies and Kiwis will put all sorts of stuff on a Burger that Americans won’t do like: beet, grilled pineapple, and an egg. My ‘Roo burger came with beet on it and it was surprisingly delicious. We drank beer (or, in my case, cider) and talked about travel and life. Meeting some of Aaron’s friends was delightful. Jackson and I enjoyed listening to tales of adventure from one of the Aussie blokes named Phil who had traveled around Central and South America and lived in China for a while. Phil gave us all sorts of tips for Singapore.
On our third day out we walked down Brunswick Street. So far Sydney Street had been the main channel of walking as there is so much to see on that thoroughfare! Tons of shops and boutiques. Brunswick was even more chuck-filled with boutiques and shops. I had a lot of fun scanning the windows and fingering the clothing as we passed. I’m a terrible shopper, though. It’s very difficult for me to buy anything and I don’t enjoy shopping for a purpose. I’m fine if I browse but the minute I have something I need I hate the whole activity. Also: Melbourne is EXPENSIVE. Even with the USD being stronger, the AUD can pack a punch and nothing is cheap.
Jackson and I met up with our friend Rob who took us to see the Eureka deck. The Eureka building is the tallest building in Australia and the top deck has a really nice view of the city. The tickets were $20AUD each. Afterwards we walked along the Yarra River and had a beer**, watching a man dressed as a Gargoyle scare passerbys.
**which are not cheap. A pint can cost about $12AUD and the smaller glass called a ‘schooner’ will run you about $8-1o. In New York City you can get a happy hour beer for $4-5USD and only really expensive places will charge $12USD for a beer!
To get us out of the city to see more of Victoria on the 4th day, Aaron drove us to Barwon Heads to meet his sister and her family and take a trip to the beach. Barwon Heads is a lovely beach town about 1.5 hours south of Melbourne. The beach was beautiful and the water is pretty warm (about 20 degrees Celsius/ 70 degrees Fahrenheit). After lunch at a restaurant called ‘At The Heads’ (I got a swordfish pate which was okay. $17AUD.) we trucked over to meet some of Aaron’s sister’s friends who were staying on the beach. Jackson and I watched the children play in the water as our group made our way toward a bluff at the end of the beach.
We hiked up to the top of one of the bluffs and watched the surf crash along the coast. At the crest, Aaron pointed out that the Great Ocean Road was down by the coast. He said it was a lovely highway to drive along. I made a mental note to check it out next time we’re in Oz.
On our last day, Aaron drove Jackson, me and Poppy to Healesville Sanctuary (about 1.5 hours north of Melbourne). The Sanctuary is in the Yarra valley which is known for its wineries. The Sanctuary was unique in that it offered a chance to get up close to some of Australia’s local wildlife. It was my first time getting really close to a koala and a kangaroo and I was thrilled! They’re REALLY cute, but also not as mythical anymore now that I’ve met a few! The tickets cost about $32AUD per adult and kids are free.
Stopping at a winery called Badger Creek Blueberry Farms on our way back to the city, Aaron, Jackson and I sampled some blueberry wine. It was delicious! I bought two bottles (about $25AUD each). We drank some apple cider that Aaron had bought as well while sharing our adventures with Renza over brie, olive oil and bread when we got back to Brunswick.
If you’re looking for a great bar to visit in town, “Naked for Satan” is an awesome place to stop in. We went on our final night in Mel and drank delicious Gin and Tonics while watching the city below (because there is an awesome ROOF DECK). Cocktails there will run about $16AUD.
