The journery to the British Soap Mecca

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  Melbourne, Australia
Saturday, April 5, 2008

Today we arrived in Melbourne, from a 4 day trip from Sydney. We met a Dutch guy called Jasper that was travelling to Melbourne so we decided to share petrol costs. We spent the first night in Batemans Bay, where we met some very hospitable but crazy Australians. One of them was an ex- pro basketball player. (He showed us his custom made shoes, we weren't very impressed.) I'm glad we had to leave after one night though because they seemed very offended every time we turned down their offers of tea or juice or sausages and eggs, or showering in their caravan.

Next we went to Lake Entrances and visited a spectacular beach, its called ninety mile beach (Exactly the same name as the beach in New Zealand) but, confusingly it is actually 47 miles (Or something near that). It was deserted and beautiful, hopefully some pictures soon. Accommodation hit a new high of 30 dollars a night, the most we have paid yet. About 15 pounds.

Next we headed to Phillip Island but we stopped first in Wilson's Promontory National Park. I enjoyed both the worst spring roll I have ever tasted in my life, and one of the most awe inspiring views I have ever seen in my life. After walking for about 40 minutes to "Sparkes Lookout" we were beginning to wonder if we should turn back. The weather was a little bleak, and the sign posts none existent. Thankfully we didn't, as five minutes later we were at the top, stood on some massive boulders looking out to islands, bays and rainforest's. It was a brilliant stop.

Next we went to Phillip Island, to the Penguin Parade. Every night the world's smallest penguins (A mighty 33 cms) come onto the beach after a days fishing and cross the beach to their nests (this is the parade.) They are so small and timid, they go in groups to scare off predators, mainly birds of prey. It's convincing, the mass of small moving silver bodies looks more like a lizard than some penguins. Though the lack of camouflage unsettles them, often they get half way and freak out and run back into the water, we watched one group assemble and then run back into the water about 12 times.

The next day we went to an absolutely amazing wildlife centre. There are tons of animals and loads of them are free to roam around the park with you. You get given a bag of food and you can feed geese, swans, ducks, emus, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. It was fantastic. I fed a kangaroo with a baby kangaroo in its pouch, at one point the only thing you could see of the baby was its feet popping out of the pouch. The emus were scary, they look just like ostriches and everyone knows ostriches are crazy. We saw koalas too, they were fantastic. Anyone going to Oz should try to get to Phillip Island and especially that wild life sanctuary, its fantastic. We saw snakes, tortoises, loads of kangaroos, dingos (wild dogs), wild cats and tons of fantastic birds. Oh, Pelicans!

We have also seen our fair share of wildlife outside of nature parks, massive spiders, one absolutely huge kangaroo (I'm almost starting to wonder if it's like big foot, seeing as kangaroos apparently aren't that big) we've seen tons of birds, lots of parrots mainly, a few wild pelicans and don't forget the penguins.

I don't think I can upload photos from this computer which is a shame, but I know you are all photo starved so I shall try my best to get them up here.

Oh, and now we are in Melbourne, we just HAVE to do the neighbours tour.

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