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| Me on the ferry to Raymond Island to see the koalas |
When we arrived at our accommodation, we were all really tired and we flopped into our beds and went to sleep.
Megan xxx
Friday 29th July
Today we left Silverwater Resort in San Remo and began our journey to Paynesville. It was around 300 km.
We arrived at Paynesville at around 1.15 pm and turned the corner to see our accommodation - Mariners Cove,. We checked in with an unfriendly woman and proceeded to our room. We walked in and Mum's first words were 'It's like a blummin' prison cell'. It was horrible - the floor was sticky, there were hardly any windows and there was mould in the shower. We made the decision to leave and stay at our next accommodation for two nights instead of one. Before that, we caught the ferry to Raymond Island - where we hoped to see wild koalas. I was amazed to see loads of them just sitting and sleeping in the trees. They were really cute! One was eating the branches really high up in the tree.
After that, we set off to Merimbula. It was another long drive - 3 hours. We were down to about half a tank of fuel so Mum suggested a few times that we should fill up. Dad said that we would be fine so we kept driving. The tank of fuel indicator was plummeting and Dad was getting really anxious because he knew that if we ran out of fuel in the middle of nowhere he would get a grilling. We drove through about 100 km of pitch black forest, not passing through a single town. Mum drove brilliantly and we finally arrived at a petrol station. Dad breathed a massive sign of relief!
When we arrived at our accommodation, we were all really tired and we flopped into our beds and went to sleep.
Megan xxx
When we arrived at our accommodation, we were all really tired and we flopped into our beds and went to sleep.
Megan xxx
Thursday 28th July
Today we began our road trip from Melbourne back to Sydney. Our first stop was Phillip Island where the famous Penguin Parade takes place. We are staying at the Silverwater Resort in San Remo which is 10 minutes from the island.
We went to the Penguin Parade at about 5.00 pm after visiting some other places on Phillip Island (see photos). We paid for Penguin Plus which is where you can get a better view of the Fairy Penguins as they emerge from the sea and walk to their burrows. When the first penguins emerged from the sea (just after sunset) it was amazing. They hurried in a group of around 40 across the beach and then became more relaxed as they walked nearer to us. We were sat in a stand with other people overlooking the beach at first but there were boardwalks that you could walk up to get better views as the penguins walked to their burrows.
Continuously for around one hour, groups of penguins emerged from the sea and waddled up the beach, passed our walkway and into their burrows. One penguin was limping and struggling to keep up with its group so one of the rangers claimed over the fence and picked it up for examination. The penguin was fine and was returned swiftly to its group. I was so close to some of the penguins that I could have reached out and touched them! It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to absolutely everyone.
Overall an amazing day.
Speak soon
Megan xxx
PS. If you are wondering why there aren't any photographs of the penguin parade, it is because you aren't allowed to take photos of the penguins.
We went to the Penguin Parade at about 5.00 pm after visiting some other places on Phillip Island (see photos). We paid for Penguin Plus which is where you can get a better view of the Fairy Penguins as they emerge from the sea and walk to their burrows. When the first penguins emerged from the sea (just after sunset) it was amazing. They hurried in a group of around 40 across the beach and then became more relaxed as they walked nearer to us. We were sat in a stand with other people overlooking the beach at first but there were boardwalks that you could walk up to get better views as the penguins walked to their burrows.
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| Me with a load of cuddly penguins getting ready to watch the Penguin Parade |
Overall an amazing day.
Speak soon
Megan xxx
PS. If you are wondering why there aren't any photographs of the penguin parade, it is because you aren't allowed to take photos of the penguins.
Wednesday 27th July
Last night we went to an Italian restaurant on Collins Street in Melbourne with Mark Hornsby and Lisa (his wife) and Dylan James and Mie (his wife). It was a really enjoyable evening and the food was great. I learnt a lot about Australian life and culture which was really interesting.
This morning we awoke to a beautiful blue sky which was fantastic as today is the day we are playing tennis. We walked to Melbourne Park (the home of the Australian Open) and we played on Show Court 2!!!! I couldn't believe it. That is the third best court there. The best players in the world will all have played there! There were millions of people who had arrived to watch us (I wish)!!!! It was a fantastic experience.
We then returned to the apartment and got changed before going on the tram to Melbourne Museum where we went to the Tutankhamun Exhibition. It was really good and showed loads of amazing artefacts that were elaborately made and exceptionally well preserved.
Dad, Mum and I then went to the arcade to go on a Mario Kart driving machine. I beat Mum and Dad. It was really fun and now after a busy day, we are all tired so we are just chilling in the apartment. As the sunset the sky was very red and it is a clear night so we might be able to see the Southern Cross. We are packing later and we are leaving Melbourne tomorrow. We are picking up a hire car in the morning and heading for the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island.
Speak soon.
Megan xxx
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| Me and Dad on our way to Melbourne Park |
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| Me on Show Court No.2!!! |
We then returned to the apartment and got changed before going on the tram to Melbourne Museum where we went to the Tutankhamun Exhibition. It was really good and showed loads of amazing artefacts that were elaborately made and exceptionally well preserved.
Dad, Mum and I then went to the arcade to go on a Mario Kart driving machine. I beat Mum and Dad. It was really fun and now after a busy day, we are all tired so we are just chilling in the apartment. As the sunset the sky was very red and it is a clear night so we might be able to see the Southern Cross. We are packing later and we are leaving Melbourne tomorrow. We are picking up a hire car in the morning and heading for the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island.
Speak soon.
Megan xxx
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| Melbourne sky tonight. |
Tuesday 26th July
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| Mum in Fitzroy Gardens |
Today we went to Fitzroy Gardens to visit the home of Captain Cook. It used to be in England (North Yorkshire) but as James Cook was the main founder of Australia when the house came up for sale in the 1930s, an Australian bid for it and bought it. It was then transported to Australia and reconstructed. Why it was brought to Melbourne and not Botany Bay I'm not sure.
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| Me and my mate Captain Cook! |
It was quite strange seeing a fairly old English house with a Union Jack flying from it in the middle of a big park in Australia. The house was quite interesting and really small - it had only two rooms in total plus two minute bedrooms. The house was furnished with what it is believed would have been in the house in the eighteenth century. I had my photo taken with the statue of James Cook outside his house. (See photo).
It was quite strange seeing a fairly old English house with a Union Jack flying from it in the middle of a big park in Australia. The house was quite interesting and really small - it had only two rooms in total plus two minute bedrooms. The house was furnished with what it is believed would have been in the house in the eighteenth century. I had my photo taken with the statue of James Cook outside his house. (See photo).
As we walked back to the hotel we did some shopping for warm clothes because whilst it has been a lovely warm day here today we are going to Phillip Island to see the penguins on Thursday night and it will be cold as it is the southern ocean coming from the Antarctic where they live. It's the closest I've ever been to the Antarctic!
I am really excited about tomorrow because we are going to play tennis on one of the courts at Melbourne Park. Oh my God! That is where the Australian Open is held and the top players in the world play there!!!! Yay!!!!! Will let you know what it is like tomorrow.
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| Me in the gardens of Captain Cook's house |
Megan xxx
Monday 25th July
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| Me in Federation Square, Melbourne |
We then caught the tram to Federation Square where we went to an exhibition of giant sculptures of LEGO, called the Art of the Brick. There was one of the Parthenon, which was amazing and one of a dinosaur. My favourite was one of a kangaroo.
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| Me on the avenue that leads up to the MCG We then caught the free tram (Melbourne has a very good tram system) around Melbourne centre to get our bearings. We got off at the Parliament Building and walked along Little Collins Street to our hotel. On the way back we stopped at a pie shop called Pie Face which was a bit like MYPY off the Apprentice. I had a steak pie which was delicious although the Australians seem to have tomato ketchup on everything and they offered it to me to have on my pie along with mash potato, pies and gravy! I just stuck with the pie. (Grandad Fred you would have liked this shop). I wish there was a Pie Face in the UK.  The weather is getting a little better now and although it is still like spring in the UK as we travel north it will get better. We are thinking of booking a court at Melbourne Park to have a game of tennis in the next couple of days. You can book one of the outdoor courts to play on. How exciting is that - playing at the courts where the Australian Open is held. Speak soon Megan xx  |
Sunday 24th July
Today we went out in the morning to Manly, famous for its beaches and surf. Tony and Andy, two of dad's work colleagues and friends came with us. Manly is a 30 minute ferry ride from the city centre and once there we decided to hire bikes to get a better look at the place as we only had a short time available.
The bike ride was really good fun although there were a number of steep hills that were quite tough and warning signs on the roads about bandicoots being endangered! The bike ride to the viewpoint was enjoyable and the views back towards the city centre spectacular. Tony and Andy were a good laugh and I think they enjoyed themselves.
After the downhill cycle back to the centre of Manly we decided to cycle the short distance to one of Manly's beaches. The beach was lovely, the sea fairly warm and the surfing impressive. The waves were quite big!
After returning our bikes we went for lunch at the Manly Wharf Hotel Restaurant. It was gorgeous. We had a table outside so that we had a good view towards Sydney city centre. Unfortunately, Mum, Dad and me had to leave early to catch the 1.15 pm ferry to collect our luggage as we had a flight to Melbourne at 4.15 pm. I've enjoyed my time in Sydney.
6.30 pm
Arrived in Melbourne. We are staying at the Medina Grand on Queen Street in a two bedroomed apartment. It is really cool. I am getting tired now after an energetic day and a lot of travelling. Will let you know what Melbourne is like tomorrow.
Megan xxx
The bike ride was really good fun although there were a number of steep hills that were quite tough and warning signs on the roads about bandicoots being endangered! The bike ride to the viewpoint was enjoyable and the views back towards the city centre spectacular. Tony and Andy were a good laugh and I think they enjoyed themselves.
After the downhill cycle back to the centre of Manly we decided to cycle the short distance to one of Manly's beaches. The beach was lovely, the sea fairly warm and the surfing impressive. The waves were quite big!
After returning our bikes we went for lunch at the Manly Wharf Hotel Restaurant. It was gorgeous. We had a table outside so that we had a good view towards Sydney city centre. Unfortunately, Mum, Dad and me had to leave early to catch the 1.15 pm ferry to collect our luggage as we had a flight to Melbourne at 4.15 pm. I've enjoyed my time in Sydney.
6.30 pm
Arrived in Melbourne. We are staying at the Medina Grand on Queen Street in a two bedroomed apartment. It is really cool. I am getting tired now after an energetic day and a lot of travelling. Will let you know what Melbourne is like tomorrow.
Megan xxx
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| Me, Mum and Dad on Manly Beach |
Saturday 23rd July
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| Me outside the QVB with Queen Victoria - she gets everywhere |
Today I woke up at 10am and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was sunny outside. Mum and I decided to do all of the touristy sight seeing that we had planned. First of all we went to the Queen Victoria Building. I had my photo taken with the statue of Queen Victoria outside the QVB. The QVB is a beautiful building that is used as an upmarket shopping centre. It is really big inside with beautiful tiled floors and feels a bit like the Crystal Palace in London.
We then walked through Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens. In both places we saw a strange bird with a really long beak which neither of us had ever seen before. Once we had reached the other side of the Botanical Gardens, we took loads of photos of the Sydney Opera House. I love its design and the fact then when you look at it from a distance it looks as if it is floating on the water is really cool. In the afternoon, after a leisurely lunch, we took a cruise with Vagabond Cruises all the way around Sydney. We saw loads of different areas of Sydney that we never knew existed. It is a lot bigger than we first thought. We saw Taronga Zoo which is somewhere where we will go on our return to Sydney at the end of this trip.
I am feeling quite tired and lazy after all the walking so tonight we are having a takeaway in the apartment.
Megan
P.S. If my post tomorrow is late it is because we are flying to Melbourne at 4:15pm. Sorry! I am really excited to see what Melbourne is like!!!
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| Me on the Vagabond Star with the Harbour Bridge in the background |
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| Sydney Opera House |
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| Mum on the Vagabond Star with the Opera House in the background |
Friday 22nd July
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| Team Napoleon at DLA Piper's quiz night |
It is horrible weather again today - it has been raining incredibly heavily since we arrived. Consequently, we went to the IMAX cinema near the convention centre. It is the largest cinema in the world and the screen is absolutely massive. We were going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two but Mum wasn't that bothered about it. Instead, we saw a 45min film called Antarctica which showed huge seals and penguins that were sliding about on their bellies! One of them fell over onto another and they all fell down like dominoes. It was really funny. It was a good film and it said that Antarctica shows us that we hardly know anything aout our planet and that we have so much more to find out. It was great.
After that I went to a cupcake cafe where I bought a lemon meringue cupcake for €2.50. It was gorgeous.Tonight we are going to a quiz night with the DLA Piper crew (Dad's work)!! Apparently we are in a team called Napoleon. Wish us luck!
Post Quiz Night
We had a really good night. I was pleased as I knew the answers to some of the questions. Quite a few were on Australian things like who won their equivalent of the BAFTAs and stuff about Australian Rugby players. One of the questions I answered correctly was about Kate and William's wedding. I remembered the name of the designer of Kate's dress. The Australians seem to like our Royal Family. There are a lot of books about them in the shops (more than you would see in the UK) and one of the other questions on the quiz was which two TV programmes in Australia had the highest number of viewers. Surprisingly the answers were the wedding of Charles and Diana and Diana's funeral!
I met some really nice people - Dylan, Sylvia, Abi, Tony (from the UK) and others. Andy Cooper was also there who we have spent time with in Hong Kong. A very enjoyable night.
Megan
Piccies
Just to let you know that pictures will be added to my blog in due course but we are having trouble uploading them from the camera. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause!!!!!!
Thursday 21st July
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| Me in the Sydney Aquarium with a mermaid made out of LEGO!!! |
Today I slept in until 10am which really helped with my jet lag. Mum and Dad both woke up during the night whereas I slept all the way through the night. When Mum and I had finally got ready (Dad was at work) which was at about 12:15pm, we got on the monorail to Darling Harbour where we were going to Sydney Aquarium. It was fantastic!! We saw a platypus swimming around (see video below) which was funny to watch. It was really cute. Also, we saw some fairy penguins, the smallest penguins in the world at about 40cm tall. They are really cute and they walk whilst leaning forward in a hilarious way!! The highlight of the aquarium for me was seeing two Dugongs. They are like a whale, seal and walrus mixed together without tusks. They are massive and really fat. (If you don't know what Dugongs look like see second video).
In the evening we went for pizza at a restaurant down the road. It was delicious. I am getting a bit tired now after playing three games of pool downstairs in the games room. Bye!
Megan
Video One - Platypus
Video Two: Dugong
Video Three: Fairy Penguins
Wednesday 20th July
Megan
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| Me on the plane enjoying the luxuries of first-class travel |
It is around 6am Bangkok time and midnight UK time and we are just about to land. I have managed to survive the 11h30m journey to Bangkok but I now have another 8h50m journey to go. I feel really stiff and I am looking forward to having a short walk around in the airport. I will write more when I get to Australia. I am really excited now!!
Later-around 9:30pm
I am writing this in my bedroom at the Meriton Serviced Apartments on Pitt Street, Sydney. It feels like a long way from home and a bit like England and the US mixed together. I am stood upside down on Earth which is weird to think about. I have to go and unpack but I am excited to see Sydney for real tomorrow! I am really tired which is a good thing because it means that I am adjusted to Australia time which is 9 hours in front of the UK.
Megan
Tuesday 19th July 2011
First class is sooo cool. The menu is great. For those of you who don't know, Mum and I are in first class and Dad is in business class. I feel sorry for him but not sorry enough to switch seats! We have a phone on our tv remote so we can phone him which is really good. I am going to decide what to have for lunch and then watch Friends on my tv.
Megan
P.P.S The picture is of me with my new cuddly (Georgia is at home) waiting to get on the first plane at Heathrow Airport.
Monday 18th July
Welcome to my new blog. I will try to post daily but it will depend on where we are and what we're up to!
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