M E L B O U R N E

Arrived drained and dreary from such a long trip via Fiji (one day layover in Nadi, so sad - recently flooded with heavy damage in the downtown area) to MELBORNE arrived on 2/27. Was greeted the next day by some very friendly faces; The Jackson's (Norm and Peg-Longtime Family friends)! They wisked me off from the Mantra and we were off to see the town. After a quick tour of this very old yet incredibly vibrant and modren city, we headed to the " Club" . That is the RACV club downtown for a nice lunch in an incredible lobby like setting. After avisit and tour of their neat vintage victorian home, I met Marisha and headed to "the hills". To Mimosa House in Sasafrass. Were the past days spent relaxing and touring the hillside areas county towns, shops and parks. Then it was back to the "city " for wonderful city tours of period homes, districts and landmarks all lead by gracious Marisha who had a few treats in store. One being tickets to thursdays Women's Semi -Final! Sarina Williams and Darvina Safina the winners of the day. What great tennis matches at Rod Lavor Arena. Super fun and what a treat! The next day was my incredible tour of Melbourne's Arts & Architecture(Lots of Old and Modern Bldgs.), the National Gallery, City Centre and Potter Gallery. But - then only to spill out into city chaos of widespread power outages, total train cancellations and general havoc on one of the hottest days on record in E. Australia~ 45.1 c (I think thats over 110•)

Survived the heatwave to tour another day. This time the Great Ocean Rd. in S . E. Australia.

Sights included: Surfers Coast, Bells Beachand Lorne. Plus Great Ocean Rd. towns and landmarks: 12 Apostles, London Bridge and the Otway Rain Forest. Just incredible hard surf, big waves, stunning coastline and long sandy beaches. WOW! Oh to tour another day in this neck of Australia. Hope to post pixs soon. Next up-Peninsula and tip of Melbourne bay!

S O U T H . P A C I F I C . J O U R N E Y

T he time has come to start my long awaited South Pacific Journey. I've always been awestruck by Australia and fascinated with Fiji (whether from classic books, or War Stories from Dad) thus my desire to visit for as long as I can remember...and now the time has come! For starters, there'll be a "Surf City" birthday rendezvous with good friend Steve-o and revelers as well as re-connecting with good friends of the family in Melbourne.
Look for the blog covering the captivating Australian cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as the picturesque countryside towns and providences of S. East Australia. In addition, seaside towns along the Great Ocean Rd.Fairy and Gold Coast-Byron Bay. Last stop, will be the exotic Waya Isle (Yasawa Group) in Fiji where I'll explore the reefs, forests and villages.

Follow the exploits of the Grateful Globetrotters in our Blogs in the coming month. The long Journey begins here in Los Angles January 24, 2009!