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Hi everyone, I have arrived in Australia's capital city - no, not Sydney, Canberra! It is mighty like Washington D.C. - a planned city with orderly circular streets, connected by broad axis avenues and a lake at the centre. It is full of democratic buildings, museums and galleries, many fairly dull but lots of interesting things too, really!
Back along the Great Ocean Road first and to Apollo Bay - I treked up to a spectacular viewpoint along the coast before taking a bus further east on Saturday aftenoon to Torquay - which marks the start of the GOR. The ride was great and such a contrast to that from Warrnambool to Apollo Bay - the road hugged the coast and wound in and out of bays and beaches. I had front seat in a bus with 3 other passengers - nice! The views were great but I was distracted by roadsigns all the way - I have never seen so many signs on a stretch of road - it was crazy! There were signs warning of kangaroos, wombats, koala, people walking, bends, roadworks and about every kilometre, a sign reminding all that 'we drive on the left side of the road in Australia' - bizarre! I stopped overnight in Torquay - the surfing capital of Australia. The town was jammed with surfing shops and my hostel was full of surfers, so a lively place. I did a coastal walk on Sunday out to Bells Beach - the most famous surfing beach, it was a nice spot for people-watching but the surf was 'out' so not masses of action. Then back into Torquay where I had a long wait for an evening bus...McD - ahh, I love it :) I jumped on a bus to Geelong, train to Melbourne and then a MetTrain out to Box Hill for a stop with Anita, before catching a long train on Monday morning over to Canberra - and here I am!
I struck lucky at the YHA yesterday - it was half-price bike hire day and a good weather forecast too, so I set off to explore the city on a bike - perfect as it is very spread out and there are lots of bike lanes. I cycled north to a visitor's centre first, then out to the Australian War Memorial - a scenic spot and quite a moving place after the recent ANZAC celebrations. I hiked up one of the mountains (or big hills) that form the backdrop to Canberra for an awesome view of the city, before scooting back down and cycling around and over the lake to the Parliamentary Triangle. The avenues were wide and quiet so I wandered up and down past all the sights and up to Capitol Hill. By this time the sky had become rather grey but I carried on past Parliament for a nose around the avenues where all the foreign embassies are located. I was about half way round when there was a sudden, huge hailstorm with thunder and lightening! I was super lucky as I backtracked into a tunnel just in time and hid there for a while, until the tunnel started to flood - help! So I made a speedy exit and got a little soggy but the storm passed soon after. I headed back over into Civic (the city centre) for a mooch about before spotting some monster black clouds - I zoomed along and at the last big junction it suddenly started to hail and an almighty gust blew me across the road - ahh! But I stayed on, just, so leapt off and ran - I have never been in such strong wind before! I made it back to the YHA within seconds of getting drenched!
This morning I have been on a tour of Parliament - not as fancy or regimental as the U.S. or NZ but nice to see it all, and I am currently in the National Library - my guidebook said there were some nice old documents to glimpse at but the free, unlimited internet was far more attractive!
I will take a train to Sydney tomorrow and on Sunday - ta da...I am meeting Mum & Dad at Sydney Airport - I don't think I've mentionned this bit yet, but yes - the Emintons are coming to Australia! It will be very odd to see them this side of the world but I am mighty excited, and more so at the hotel which I am staying in on Saturday night - I can't believe it - a hotel?! Yes, a room to myself! So I will check in a 2:00 on the dot, have a bath and shower first, then another bath, then smuggle in takeaway pizza, chocolate and every other nasty I can get my hands on, and then I'll watch TV all afternoon - can't wait! Fingers crossed about the old volcano though - I have just seen the news...
All the best for now!
Grace xx
PS. I forgot to mention my trip to see Ramsey Street in Melbourne! Anita drove me out to the streets where it is filmed and I recongized all the houses - it was hilarious and so exciting! They weren't filming that day so I didn't see Harold (but apparently he's left?) - clearly I am going to need some serious omnibus sessions when I get back. So yes, I have seen a fair bit of the world now but visiting my spiritual home tops the lot!
Liz - he he, you are hilarious, but no you are not having a possum! They are horrid pests that eat everything in NZ, squash'ems (or 'road pizza'!) are far better! But I was amazed to find that as they are native, they are a protected species in Australia - what!? So no chance I can pick you up one here either - I'll try for a koala instead :)
Libby - so glad you are enjoying my blog and keeping up to date, I am rather proud of my blogging forte! But I too fear I may never crack Facebook even after numerous lessons from you! Thanks for reminding me about Neighbours! And as for the election debate at uni - I saw the Great Hall on TV here - I was so excited - amazing! Wish I had been here though, and snipers on the roof - wow! I need to meet the legend that is Nick Owen one day too - hint hint Mike, another tour of Midlands Today some time would be great! Good luck with the presentation!
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