young american: road trip!

In the spirit of taking full advantage of the school holidays, we were only home for three days before taking off on another vacation. This time it was our family along with two others in a giant van, driving first to Phillip Island (a little beach paradise) and then to Wilson's Promontory, continental Australia's southern most point. On our way from Melbourne to Phillip Island, we stopped at the Royal Australian Gardens, had a stroll, then soldiered on to the house we rented. And it was amazing. Two stories, fourteen beds, a huge games room downstairs, big lounge room and balcony upstairs, and a nice lawn out back just right for tossing a ball around. At just about two kilometers out of town, it was also perfect for leisurely walk to shops, cafes, pubs, and the beach. A bunch of us girls moseyed down there one morning, and spent hours popping in and out of whatever shops caught our eye, which included one truly extraordinary vintage shop selling everything from a carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories, to books, records, housewares, you name it. Then it was straight to the beach for some sun and saltwater. Lovely. The next day was another lazy one spent on the beach, then in the evening we had a little picnic before going to see the penguin parade. Unfortunately pictures weren't allowed, but if you look this phenomena up, you'll be able to get a sense of how surreal it was. Sitting in grandstands on the beach, under a clear blue sky studded with stars, just listening to the waves and seagulls and anxiously waiting for the little penguins to appear. And then suddenly you see one, two, a whole bunch! Riding the surf in, taking a few tentative steps up the sand, waiting for a greater group to gather, then all of them waddling up the beach and onto the dunes to their nests. Incredibly cute and just beautiful. Love this example of eco-tourism. More on the rest of the trip later, otherwise this will turn into a novella!