Our time in Melbourne has flown by, and we have had no problems filling in our time over the last month.
To initiate our “Last Tango” we took a drive through the Mornington Peninsula, to the Arthur’s Seat Lookout near the Seawinds National Park. We met Glenda, Geoff, and our new South African friends Heather and James Visser at the lookout where we admired the stunning Birdseye views of the coastline. Because the weather was a little bit cool and windy, we decided not to picnic as originally planned. Instead, we were invited to eat lunch at Heather and James’ house nearby in the coastal town of Mount Martha. A couple of days later, we were happy to accept Heather and James’ invitation to the Victoria Welsh Choir’s Sunday afternoon concert at the Alexander Theatre at Monash University along with their other South African friends.
With Geoff & James Visser at Arthur's Seat Lookout
James and Heather Visser at Murray's Lookout, the Mornington Peninsula
We could not leave Melbourne without visiting the Botanical Gardens. Incredibly, we have not paid a cent of admission into the publicly owned botanical gardens we have visited anywhere in Australia. Australian and international visitors are all provided free access to these public parks. On the other hand, we must say that we found it “not so incredible” when we encountered large groups of cruise ship passengers touring the gardens. The “cruisers” totally blocked the walkways wherever we ran into their tour groups. We learned to avoid those contingents.
A Punt Operator Steers Through the Melbourne Botanical Gardens
Closing out this segment of our Australian adventure, we first followed the route of the Puffing Billy steam engine through the Dandenong Range to the villages of Belgrave, Menzie’s Creek, Emerald and Gembrook where we ate out lunch in the community park. Tourists flock in droves to travel on the “Puffing Billy,” however, we were put off when we read the advertising that warned of soot from the steam engine flying into the open carriages. As we watched scores of Asian tourists disembark from the train, we had no regrets about choosing to drive the train’s route in our rental vehicle as opposed to sitting on the train.
Puffing Billy Train at Belgrave Station
On another hot day during our final days in the city, we visited the Melbourne Zoo. In the heat of the day, the snow leopard and some of his colleagues were hiding from us (and other visitors), but we particularly enjoyed “rubbing elbows” with the gorillas, baboons and Tasmanian Devils. Bugs Bunny/Road Runner tunes were running through our heads as we watched the Tassie Devils eat a whole chicken; feathers and all.
Zoo Wannabees
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As we prepared sadly to leave Melbourne, we were offered a couple of opportunities to say our goodbyes to Trevor’s cousin Glenda and Geoff and their family. It was wonderful to connect with Glenda’s children (not so childlike anymore) at an afternoon tea that Glenda organized at her house. Daughter Nikki and her partner Andrew, son Darren, and son Cameron with his young daughter Delilah all joined us for tea on the outside patio. Later that week, Glenda and Geoff organized a farewell dinner for us, also at their place. At the conclusion of the dinner, Geoff offered to show us a couple of cars (totally immaculate) from his collection of antique automobiles; his pride and joy. Adding this final, classy touch to our “last tango” really made us feel like we were leaving in style.
Family Photo on Geoff and Glenda's Patio
Back Row (L-R): Cameron and daughter Delilah, Nikki (Glenda's daughter), Andrew (Nikki's partner), Trevor
Front Row (L-R): Glenda, Lorraine, Geoff
As we pack our suitcases, we take time out to smoke our fake, Australian "sugar package" cigarettes on the patio of our apartment patio at the Burwood Serviced Apartments. All has not ended for us, and our trip continues.Another part of our adventure awaits us in Brisbane, Queensland. Stay tuned for the next chapters of our Australian blog.
Fun Times at Burwood Apartments
