I promised myself I’d be back soon when I was here 20 years ago. I finally made it! I certainly hope I never let so much time pass again. This is such a magical place!
Our very first day out at a little park called Mullum Mullum Creek we ran into a small mob (like herd, but cuter) of kangaroos just hanging out. They tend to spend their days pretty casually. Our first kookaburra, this does not capture how big they are. Australia is much more expensive to travel than SE Asia. So I am quite pleased with myself and the modern world! I was looking at a blog on budget travel and found the “Trusted Housesitters” App where you can volunteer to watch someone’s animal in exchange for free lodging. This is Widget. She lives in what is arguably the best neighborhood in all of Melbourne. Very near several thrift shops for us to buy some warmer clothes. Day two was the small Organ Pipes National Park With our first sighting of the “superb fairy wren”. They are really cute and not very shy of strangers. And they are kind everywhere with their blue little heads and tails. Eucalyptus trees are not only beautiful, but have a variety of smells. These were quite like black pepper. And rainbow lorikeets just happen to be one of the most common birds. And like Singapore, and so unlike the US, they care about families, mental health and caregivers. This is entering a grocery store. And foods… this is a mint chocolate chip meringue… 1/2 the size of my head! I always like mint chocolate chip, but somehow I’ve just been a bit obsessed since our trip started. It was probably that amazing gelato place in Japan…Next day a more “real hike” in Cathedral Ranges State Park. Have I mentioned that no national or state parks have entry fees here? And people hate taxes in the US, so misguided.
Unexpectedly, we had a Lyre bird sing for us! I remember being a bit obsessed with finding one when I was here before, and I didn’t. And our first wallaby. Their rainforests have tree ferns. yes they have rainforests, Washington is not alone as we have been led to believe. They exist in Chile,Australia and New Zealand as well as California and Alaska. My friend who lives in Brisbane is a geologist and called Australia “geologically challenged” when referring to “mountains” here.But we got a nice hike with a view and some craggy bits, so we were happy.And trees And Roos in the sunset.
Jessica Wandering 
Leave a comment