Greater Melbourne

This past weekend as you might have already guessed (based on my Melbourne weather theory) was warm and sunny and absolutely beautiful. We saw lots of Australian animals at a nature reserve, hiked amongst the eucalypti, frolicked on the beaches, searched in the tide pools and socialized with Australians. Really so far we like everything we do and see here. Maybe we are easy to please sort of folks but maybe this is also a really nice country. Some new friends invited us to go for a walk along the Mornington peninsula.  This is a finger of land that stretches right out into the ocean creating a earthly hug around Port Phillip. Melbourne sits on the top part of Port Philip which is really not a port at all but looks more like a big lake that has an outlet to the ocean. In addition to getting some exercise and sunshine and getting to know some great people we also developed a deep respect for what the greater Melbourne environment has to offer. There were long stretches of glimmery beach with rocky outcrops jutting out into the ocean. Colorful tide pools full of abalone shells, sea grasses, sea urchins, and lots of things we can't yet name. Behind the beach were towering majestic cliffs that lend an air seclusion and inaccessibility. It was all very pleasing.

Australians, particularly Melbournians, seem to know they are in a good spot. Though people leave the majority of them return. So by extension they expect visitors to be charmed and consider ripping up their tickets home if they are granted the option to stay. Now that we have been here four weeks it is normal to ask us if we will stay forever. Forever. What confidence Australians have in their country. Forever is a long time. But maybe from their point of view it is not even long enough. It is a pretty big country. Given that we can't even commit to a brand of toothpaste I find it all very funny. But the Mornington peninsula is pretty incredible.

First Views of the beach

Look at all those beaches!