#8: Healesville Sanctuary and the French Fam
6.25.2018
Today was our first day out and about in my new home of Melbourne! For this week before moving into my dorm, we'll be staying with a friend named Michele! For those of you who haven't heard the story, we met Michele French and her friend Alana last summer, in Europe, of all places! We first ran into each other at an airport in Italy and then ended up staying at the same hotel days later in Greece! We quickly became friends with them and have stayed in touch since. Little did we know then, but fate would end up placing me at a university thousands of miles from home, and 45 minutes from Michele's house! This morning we were finally able to meet her wonderful family! Her daughter, Melissa, son-in-law Russell, and granddaughter, Amelie, have already been so kind that I am so looking forward to spending more time with them!
Our first stop with Michele and her friend Helen was the Healesville Sanctuary about an hour from the picturesque town of Mornington where they live. We watched an awesome bird show, shared lots of oo's and aw's through the koala exhibit and animal hospital, and then had the best experience in the kangaroo area! A keeper gave us a great talk as we got to know some of the sweet kangaroos they had (see above!!!).
Our first stop with Michele and her friend Helen was the Healesville Sanctuary about an hour from the picturesque town of Mornington where they live. We watched an awesome bird show, shared lots of oo's and aw's through the koala exhibit and animal hospital, and then had the best experience in the kangaroo area! A keeper gave us a great talk as we got to know some of the sweet kangaroos they had (see above!!!).
#9: Exploring Mornington
6.26.2018
This beautiful Tuesday was spent driving around and seeing the town of Mornington (fortunately, we didn't have to worry about driving on the wrong side, we had Michele as a chauffeur hehe)! It started off with delicious tea, scones, and finger sandwiches at the famous Miss Marple's Tearoom which was followed by a drive up to the Observatory for a view of all of Melbourne, even through the morning fog. We then drove down to the pier to walk along the water and collect a handful of shells.
Next, we headed to one of the local shopping centers to pick up some school supplies for me. I was so excited to find out they have Target here that I couldn't help embarrassing myself in front of the locals (see below). Something else surprising is that Kmart is huge here! It's been years since I've seen one in the states but it is thriving here!
Next, we headed to one of the local shopping centers to pick up some school supplies for me. I was so excited to find out they have Target here that I couldn't help embarrassing myself in front of the locals (see below). Something else surprising is that Kmart is huge here! It's been years since I've seen one in the states but it is thriving here!
#10: Kangaroos, dingos, and penguins, oh my!
6.28.2018
My mom, Michele, Alana, Melissa, Amelie, and I had a packed day today! We first went to the Maru Animal and Koala Park! It was a freezing and foggy morning but it is impossible for me to be brought down by the weather when I'm surrounded by such amazing animals! For the first time, I got to not only take a picture with a dingo but hug and pet them! They even licked me on the face and tried to climb on me when I sat down for the picture! After my encounter with the dingos and Amelie's encounter with the koalas, we headed to the kangaroos to pet them! They were so eager to eat all of the food we had bought for them that they were following us around! 10 at a time even!
Next on the list included a stop at the cheese and chocolate factories along the way to Phillip Island! Leave it to me to be so distracted by the puppy outside of the cheese factory that I couldn't even care about the cheese! Ugh, dogs are my weakness!
Our final stop of the day was the Phillip Island Penguin Parade! We managed to get front row seats to see hundreds of the cutest little penguins coming in from the water to settle back into their burrows and nests for the night. We weren't supposed to take photos or videos but come on...I had to sneak a few! Shhh!
Next on the list included a stop at the cheese and chocolate factories along the way to Phillip Island! Leave it to me to be so distracted by the puppy outside of the cheese factory that I couldn't even care about the cheese! Ugh, dogs are my weakness!
Our final stop of the day was the Phillip Island Penguin Parade! We managed to get front row seats to see hundreds of the cutest little penguins coming in from the water to settle back into their burrows and nests for the night. We weren't supposed to take photos or videos but come on...I had to sneak a few! Shhh!
#11: A day in the city!
6.29.2018
My first day in the heart of downtown Melbourne, the CBD (Central Business District)! My campus is in Burwood, a small neighborhood just outside of downtown, but I'm looking forward to making it into the city every once in awhile! Our first stop was the very well-known Queen Victoria Market! Aisles and aisles of any meat, cheese, pastry, etc. that you could imagine, and that's just inside! Head outside to the rows and rows of fresh produce and tourist items as far as the eye can see!
After wandering some more streets and getting lost in a 3-story H&M the size of a mansion, we went up 86 stories to the Eureka SkyDeck for a 360 view of all of Melbourne! You could the ships in the harbor, the busy streets outside the Flinders Street train station, and even Mt. Dandenong far off in the distance.
After wandering some more streets and getting lost in a 3-story H&M the size of a mansion, we went up 86 stories to the Eureka SkyDeck for a 360 view of all of Melbourne! You could the ships in the harbor, the busy streets outside the Flinders Street train station, and even Mt. Dandenong far off in the distance.
#12: Thank you
6.30.2018
I don't think I can even write this without tearing up! Today was our last full day in Mornington as tomorrow we're heading to Deakin to move me into my dorm! This last week, Michele and her family have not only driven us to all sorts of places we never would have found on our own, but most importantly they took us into their home and have given us the best experiences ever this week. From the care package waiting for us when we arrived, to the delicious dinners every evening, and of course the awesome movie nights! The four of them, and even their close friends, have welcomed us with open arms and we could not be more grateful for every little thing they have done for us.
(Yep, I'm crying at this point)
I have to say that they are the kindest, most generous family we have ever met and we are so lucky to have randomly run into Michele and Alana just one year ago, almost to the day, on the other side of the world. I can't say thank you to you all enough and I can guarantee it that you will still hear it many more times! Thank you for giving me somewhere I'll be able to go to when uni gets too tough or when I'm feeling too homesick, and thank you for welcoming us in like family. We are kindred spirits!
(Yep, I'm crying at this point)
I have to say that they are the kindest, most generous family we have ever met and we are so lucky to have randomly run into Michele and Alana just one year ago, almost to the day, on the other side of the world. I can't say thank you to you all enough and I can guarantee it that you will still hear it many more times! Thank you for giving me somewhere I'll be able to go to when uni gets too tough or when I'm feeling too homesick, and thank you for welcoming us in like family. We are kindred spirits!