3,600 KM and counting

Well it's been crazy since I last signed on. I feel like I've driven through the whole country! In Canberra we went to the Australian War Memorial and National Museum. We saw the missions (which are the Embassy's from each country), and toured both Old and New Parliament. On our way out of the city we visited Peter and Jim at the Geoscience Australia. They showed us all the specimens they've found all over Australia as well as in other countries and then gave us a tour of everything they do. It was very interesting and so good to see them both. Thanks guys! We could have spent more time there but it seems there isn't ever enough time no matter where you go.

I took this at the war memorial. For my dad... my own personal Navy Hero. I love you daddy!

So my Christmas Eve morning started with this...

I got to fly in Graeme's Ultralight! It was so amazing! Thank you Graeme! I got a birds eye view of his property and the land that surounds his. It was just exhilerating! I was on cloud nine all day! Dad got to go after me and he was just as excited and happy as I was. That just started our amazing day. After some waking up (as flights started at 6:30am) we all visited and ate some breakfast and Graeme took us on a drive of his property. Our goal was to find a Christmas tree to bring back to the house. We took the long way around and got an amazing tour of the hilly and beautiful land that he and Pat live on. I was so happy that my Aunt and Dad got to share in that experience with us. I just can't put to words how lucky Danielle and I have been since we've been here and the time we spent at Pat and Graeme's house just gave my family a taste of what we've experienced here. Christmas was amazing between both days I think we ate enough for a month. The food was amazing and spending Christmas with such a generous and amazing family was just a blessing. Thank you for opening up your home to us I can't express to you enough how amazing our Christmas was and how much it meant to be able to share the holidays with such a wonderful family.

From left to right: Kylie, Ashley, Tanya, Auntie Cata, Melissa, Pat, Micheala, Tony, Uncle John, Dad, Danielle and Rebecca. I was taking the pic and poor Graeme was at work. Thank you all for making this blessed holiday a memory I will never forget. I hope we get to play spoons again sometime girls! All of you made this a very special Christmas.

We got back on the road and headed south towards Melbourne. Our ultimate destination Phillip Island. Beautiful that's all I can say. Check out the picture below.

Enough said don't you think? Just beautiful!!!

It was a near miss... hahaha! Since we couldn't take pictures of the seals or the penguins we decided to get inventive. Phillip Island was amazing. Koalas and Seals and Penguins... oh my! The penguins were my favorite part I just can't get over how adorable they are. It was just amazing getting to see them pop out of the ocean and onto the beach and waddle their little selves to safety. Too precious!

After some time in Melbourne we had to take Auntie Cata and Uncle John to the airport. After that we decided to head to the Great Ocean Highway and see the Twelve Apostles. It took a lot longer than we had anticipated and we found ourselves in a bit of predicament. Everywhere we turned there was a NO Vacancy sign lit up mocking our need for sleep! AHHHHHH after much deliberation and no other option we transformed our cozy Camary into our own personal bedroom. Yep that's right we slept in the car! It was comical but worth it because the next morning we got to see the Twelve Apostles.

There we are! If you can't tell from the pic it was amazingly windy! It was really cool to see and the ocean was just amazing especially with all the white caps. We ended up back in Robinvale and have been recovering from our nonstop adventures at our good friend Smythe's. It's been great to relax and just enjoy each others company and dad has been in hog heaven doing handy jobs around the house. We head out tomorrow for Melbourne again as dad has to leave in two days. :( Then it's back to work ~ wish us luck in finding one! ha