It is another weekend and this one is slated for rain. Melbourne is expected to get one month’s worth of rain over this weekend. Luckily I have a two days of outdoor activities planned; Karma and Mother Nature would have it no other way. This weekend also kicks off the beginning races of the Melbourne Cup. The local Victorians get quite excited about this time of year and I have even come to learn that Tuesday is a holiday, though I am unclear if it is a local, state, or national holiday; I think it is more of a state holiday. I am to expect madness to the scale of Dublin on Saint Patty’s Day.
On Derby Day, while waiting for my ride with a local tour group, I am amazed of two things. The first is that no credit card machines work when Melbourne is overcast; I’m sure that Lady Karma was at play here. The second, that every woman and daughter has some hidden flapper styled outfit in her closet. I mean this to the nines, from the dress to the purse and accessories to the shoes and hat. I hope to be able to get some good pictures, but if nothing else, I feel sure that Tuesday will offer a certain excellence. I have been told that I am to either head to Flemington, where the derby is, or maybe bar hop around South Yarra. I am leaning to the bar hopping suggestion at the moment.
After getting on the bus, Mother Nature begins her bit. Since most of our time is intertwined with nature, the day ensures that we are all fully soaked at every stop. We do get to see a mix of various emus, wallabies, wombats, and koalas, most of which actually looked alive; koalas generally just sit and eat and then maybe sit some more, or take a nap. Heading further south to Phillip and Churchill Islands, we are also able to take view some of Australia’s history. The historical sites are much like those back in the States: not that old and involves stories of the British.
Later in the evening, as the sun sets, we make for the beach to watch the penguins pull in from a day of fishing. Every night they come back to shore by the masses to find their respective holes in the beach and feed their young. Sadly, we could nether take any photos, nor penguins. Despite being popularized into a sort of Disney World styled attraction, it was a fun experience.
While the rest of the tour is taken back to the City, I and one other are dropped off in the most boring town in Australia, Cowes. With no bar, nothing to do, and rain pouring from above, we make for an early night and I learn to never travel without a deck of cards and a small bottle of bourbon again. Waking the following morning was only exciting because we knew that we would soon be able to leave. We down some quick cereal, a few cups of coffee (or tea in my bunk mate’s case since he is from Bristol), and make further south to Wilson’s Prom.
Wilson’s Prom is a very large and remote conservation park. The cold, rain, and the distance actually make for a nice day without the crowds. I am actually able to get a bit of hiking, or bush walking, in during my stay in Australia. Though the mountains are not tall, I do hike a few of them, some of which have a nice beach hidden on the opposing side. Some of the beaches are not very alive, in that they are more like grave yards, sporting only decaying carcasses of birds that have washed up on shore. Hitting the peaks and look out points of the mountains, however, provided a wonderful escaped until the wind became too unbearable. Though, I neglected to this time, for my next day of hiking, I will need to ensure that I wear lining socks. My feet remain disdained at me for making them so blistered.
A late arrival back into the City concludes with a quick dinner and unpacking for my work week.
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