Kangaroos, wombats & cows

Yesterday, we went to Maru Fauna Park on the Bass highway to spend some time with the kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.

At the fauna park we get hands-on experience in hand feeding kangaroos, wallabies, emus and a host of farm animals including sheep, donkeys, horse, chickens etc.

They have a large Wombat Nursery housing orphaned young with opportunity to pat and take photos. We also had a look at the koala compound. I was told the koalas hate to be disturbed when sleeping so I just looked from afar.

Later we snacked on Devonshire tea, that is, scones with jam and cream, and tea or coffee. Seems to be a favorite here, and I can see why, mmmm, yummy!

This morning, we went around Warook Cattle Farm for several hours. Situated at Monomeith one hour east of Melbourne, it is a three hundred acre working cattle farm running over 150 heads of cattle and over 900 lambs, that also operates as a tourism business which allows guests to sample life on a farm. The farm, established in the late 1800's,is run by Pru and Andrew Troedel who bought the property in 1986.



Oddly we did not see very many cattle, but we had a lot of fun. I tried to milk the cows but the cows won't let me!

Later we went up to Cranbourne Park shopping mall in Cranbourne. Paul and his other kids, Tarnya, Philip and Ian came for dinner, I cooked chicken curry, beef ginger with baby bok choy, chap chye and lamb madagascar. Had fun watching them kids try eat rice with fingers. His kids are well behaved and polite. Ian, the cutest, is charming even at 15 years old.

Under the Boardwalk

This morning Peter Pan brought me to see some arts and crafts on St. Kilda Esplanade.
Then we walked along the St Kilda Boardwalk.



We had Fish & Chips Picnic on the beach. It's delicious!

We walked and walked until we came to an amusement park called Luna Park. Had some rides on the roller coaster, throwed some games and won some bears.



Later we went to visit Peter Pan's friend, Leanne who lives in Cheltenham. Her mom designs totes and dinner bags. I couldn't decide between three designs so Peter Pan got me all.

We got to Peter Pan's home in Pioneer Bay, about two hours from Melbourne this evening. Very much a bachelor's pad with a bachelor and two teenagers living here, Peter Pan, eldest son Paul and Ian, the youngest son.

Melbourne on Yarra River

G'day mates, having a wonderful time hopping about in Australia, or better known as Down Under.



True enough, there are a thousand thoughts lying within a woman that she does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

So many thots are running in my head since I arrived in Melbourne yesterday but I haven't got time to jot them them down lately, so you got me!


Melbourne is famous for its arts, culture, gardens, entertainment, sporting spectaculars, shopping and business.



Nestled on the banks of the Yarra River and the shores of Port Phillip Bay, it is a monument of peace and beauty.


The Yarra River flows through Melbourne and winds past the entertainment heart of the city.

Yesterday afternoon, we went to Vic Market, an flea market for shopping and lunch. After footy, we hopped on a tram to Chinatown on Little Bourke Street. The entire street is filled with Chinese restaurants, food stores, handicrafts, furniture and jewellery shops.



Here the restaurants are very competitive. Waitresses stand outside the restaurants to persuade to patronize their restaurants and welcome you in like kings and queens.

Peter Pan wanted to try some Chinese food, so we had Fried Rice, Shark's Fin Soup and Sweet & Sour Fried Fish for dinner. Nothing like they make it home for sure.



This morning Peter Pan and I had breakfast or brekkie as they are fond of calling it here, with Peter Pan's sister at her home in the city. Then we watched night football or footy as they call it here.

After dinner Peter Pan and I went up Rialto Towers, Melbourne's tallest building, to get a good aerial city view of Melbourne.

The Observation Deck is on Level 55 and provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Melbourne and the surrounding landmarks - it was magnificent and breathtaking.



Peter Pan wouldn't go to the deck with me, he's afraid of heights. So I went to stand there and did a Titatic thingy, it was exciting.

When I got back in, I teased Pete, "You just missed an opportunity for a passionate kiss, maybe more..." and he said "Bummer, I would have gathered all my courage to go to the deck with you if you had only mentioned it earlier!" Well, gotcha, Pete!