Addi's New Years Song

Here is a second attempt at uploading her song- recorded on the train home from the Dandeongs yesterday.  Let's try a link to YouTube (at the bottom of this entry). We were startled awake last night at midnight by the booming sound of fireworks so we got to say 'Happy New Years' as it rang in!  We are awake and heading out for the day.  Fortunately, the temps are back to normal- high 70's.  It's crazy to think it is still late afternoon NYE at home!!  Hope this works and happy new years again!  xoxox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVQeQere9w

104F

Freaking hot. 104F is the current temperature...on New Years Eve! Unseasonably hot. It will come as little surprise to most of you to know we will ring in the New Year from the comfort of our room- likely through closed eyelids. Hey- don't judge!!

To escape the heat, we headed up to the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges about an hour outside of Melbourne. We took a ride on Puffing Billy-a 100+ year old narrow gauge steam train that ran on Diesel today due to a total fire ban. No A/C but nice breezes and shade kept us cool. Very pretty, but we are exhausted from the heat. Interesting note is that traveling with a toddler means you see a place through kid oriented activities. Don't ask us about the famous restaurants or bars or theaters. We wouldn't know!

Have a happy new years eve! A video from Addi is attached (someone please let me know if it works!) I SWEAR she has not been drinking...it has just been a long long day! :-)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Beach Day!

Today was 80 and cloudless so we hit St Kilda beach, about 15 min from town by tram. This beach, as with most near Melbourne, is on Port Philip Bay. So, the sand and water had somewhat of a Long Island Sound feel (I think Melbourne is famous for food and culture- not beaches). Addi made fast friends with a few little girls, and we saw a HUGE jellyfish on the beach. There is a boardwalk lined with outdoor restaurants, and St Kilda road is packed with shops and bars....and Hipsters. We walked through Luna Park, a Cony Island style amusement park with the world's oldest running roller coaster. The break is run manually by a man in the middle car! Hannah and Croz, you would be proud to know we are taking pictures ...some even at creative angles! But we miss our professional photogs! Generally uneventful but relaxing day. Notable fashion trend: young men in rugby length shorts hitting mid-thigh (vs at the knee, USA style) my vote: bring that state-side!
Notable coffee trend: we tried to order the brewed coffee off the menu at a coffee shop and the girl gave us a cup of mud, apologetically stating that she has never had to make one...everyone drinks 'Long Blacks' which is a diluted double shot of espresso. Tasty and powerful!
Notable people trend: all exceptionally friendly. Having a three year old really helps! Of the 4 people/ families we have spent any real time with, 2 (one Aussie, one Swede) were in a similar work (more appropriately workless)/ extended adventure situation! How crazy is that!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

The Fairies Tree

This entry is for all of the special little fairy loving people with moms or dads following this blog.

Today we walked the Yarra River banks, strode down Collins St (what I take to be Melbourne's equivalent to NYC 5th Ave) and did a bit of alot of eating. The highlight of the day, though, was Treasure and Fitzroy Gardens. Gorgeous open green spaces with flowers and gardens abound. Of special note: the Fairies Tree and fairy village. Photos attached. It seems a woman named Ola Cohn wrote a book long ago called The Fairies Tree....and these things were carved by her for the fairies. We spent solid time calling to the fairies to wake up and come out before a little boy told us they are only awake at night.

Coincidentally, Addi build a fairy house near the trails by our house on xmas morning, right before we left. Picture of that also attached. We are hoping our Aussie fairy friends come visit our Connecticut fairy tenants.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

NE Blizzards

Your weather made the news here in Australia! Hope you are all surviving it ok...and making the most of it! Go snow angels and sleds! Hello hot chocolate!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Melbourne First Impressions

We arrived in Melbourne about 33 hours after we left New York (39 hours after leaving Guilford!) Addi was amazing the entire time- truly, I couldn't be prouder. She raised the bar and i had to contain my inner brat wanting to get out! She and I fell asleep at about 4PM Oz time. Jim wandered out and made fast friends with the hotel barkeep. He got the bloke's whole life story- this should be no surprise to anyone who knows my husband.

We have only been here for a day, but first impressions:
- at 3M people, it is perfectly sized. Amazingly clean and so friendly! Free trolley system can get you anywhere. Food is pricey. Hot air balloons float overhead at dawn (yup, we were wide awake and seeking food at dawn).
- Melbournians are in competition with Sydney about everything. "Sydney may be larger by 500k people now, but we were larger for the longest time. We will be the largest again! We can grow as far as the eye can see- Sydney is contained by sea and mountains!" "People here are so much nicer than the people in Sydney-they are a bunch of old convicts!" Having not yet been to Sydney, I can't say if the competitive feelings are reciprocal, but I assume so!
-Aussies drive on the opposite side of the road. They also walk to the left on the sidewalk. Im sure this is true in all countries where they drive on the left- but this is our first time working with it in the city environment. Needless to say, we caused many a human pile-up.
-Kellogg Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles here! Why? A 'krisp' is a french fry!

We hit the Melbourne Zoo today. Beautiful like the DC Zoo with fun exhibits and healthy environments. Our favorite, though, was "Who's Poo are You" yup. A dozen toilets with various animal poo on the lid. Lift the lid to see who owns it-the kanga? The lion? The human?

It is 4:10PM here and we are struggling to stay awake. Must....not....sleep...before....6:00.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Check List

Santa came down chimney and made delivery, check

Xmas tree down, heat down, lights down, check

Visas Passports and Plane Tickets, check

Passports copied & extra photos made, check

Travel vaccines-lots of ‘em,  check

Travel Books- well read, check

Global Smart Phone purchased, check

Emergency Medical Insurance, check

Emergency first aid kit, check

Emergency TP and water purifiers, check

Consulted Travel Advisories for potential riots, coups and public health outbreaks, check

Registered with gov’t for evacuation in case of riots or coups, check

Someone to watch the house, cats and plants, check

All bills arranged for electronic management, check

Bag O’ Fun for the 23 hour plane flight, check

Mask and flippers for the Great Barrier Reef, check

2 carry-on size bags holding 12 weeks worth of garb and gear, check

Someone to pick us up at the airport when we get home, check

St. Patty’s Day Plans state-side upon return, check

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

The Great Packing Challenge

Packing light is paramount when you expect to use public transport in third world countries. With that in mind, this is what my family of three hopes to fit 12 weeks worth of gear into. Taking bets as to whether or not we can do it! (This is also a mobile photo upload test)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Mobile blog entry test

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Confucius

Preamble

Today is my last day of work.  After nearly ten years with the same company, my job has been eliminated and I’m out on my behind.  I’d love to say I don’t care but I’d be lying.  It’s a real ego bruiser.  On the contrary, though, I have gotten an abundance of notes and support from past and present colleagues, friends and family with some of the kindest words I could ever hope for.  I’d love to say I don’t need to hear it, but I do.  So THANK you to everyone who took the time to speak it or write it- your words have helped me heal and move on. 

 My 2011 mantra is ‘Be True to Yourself’.  With this in mind, I am not frantically looking for a new job.  Instead, I am taking the leap I have always hoped I’d have the courage to take:  Grab my severance package and run.  Let out my inner gypsy, explore the world (well, part of it), reconnect with my ‘true self’, and return a stronger, more self aware, refreshed and true version of me.  I feel compelled to offer an extra huge thank you to my husband who is tucking away his (not so inner) inner homebody to come on this Adventure with me.  Really, Jim, thank you.  I very much appreciate what you are doing for me. 

So, this blog may prove to be more than a travel blog.  It may roam into topics beyond the physical and mental excitement of Australia, South East Asia and spending an uninterrupted 12 weeks with my husband and daughter.  It may also prove to be my cathartica and journal towards reinvention and/or rediscovery.  I just don’t know.  Jump in on my 2011 mantra and be true to yourself.

We don’t leave until Christmas Day, so I don’t expect to write much before then.  But please- stay tuned!  I can promise you some adventure and good reading!  J

Mollydooker

Aussie for Left Handed.  so there you have it.