Australia Journal 2023

 

Day 1:

24-hour trip from Walla Walla to Melbourne. Staying with Rachel Davies and her partner, Alberto (Rupert) from Italy. Took the train into the city. Fascinating graffiti. Well accepted as an art form in Melbourne. Visited a botanical garden.

 

Day 2:

Drove along the southern coast. Saw koalas in the wild. Visited the site of the Twelve Apostles.

 

 

 

Day 3:

Visited wildlife sanctuaries and another botanical garden and saw kangaroos and various birds. Fed grapes to cockatoos. Bought more mangoes at the large Footscray Market in Melbourne.

 

 

Day 4:

Went shopping at the huge Queen Victoria Market – similar to a Night Market in Thailand. Visited the State Library and an indigenous exhibit. There was a very large pro-Palestinian protest meeting and march through the city (which has been happening every Sunday since October).

 

Day 5:

Christmas day at Rachel’s friends’ home. Delightful food, gift-sharing, and company. Pat and I gave Alberto some basic lessons in cricket!

 

 

Day 6:

Toured St. Kilda; Victoria State Rose Garden, with its 5000 rose plants; and the Werribee            Mansion. Had a wonderful meal at an Ethiopian restaurant (a first for Vie), before heading to the airport for home.