Our Melbourne Visit

Wow,

A month since the last blog -I've been too busy with work! I had hoped Tasmania would be different, but, alas, it isn't. I can say with confidence now that we definitely won't be staying longer than a year here.

Oh, yeah, Melbourne.

I have an old friend in Melbourne who I met in 1994 in Yosemite Valley while we were both climbing. I travelled to Australia (1996/97) and he to the US (1998) for subsequent climbing adventures. Since then we both married and stopped climbing. :) But we've kept in touch, he now has a 14 month old daughter, and we went to visit them in Melbourne.

Melbourne is across the Bass Strait - about 150miles of ocean - and so you either fly (boring, but quick) or take a ferry - exciting, but slow. We chose the latter. In mid week, the only option was a night cruise which means you board at about 7pm, depart at 8pm, cruise around the ship for an hour or two, an then retire to your cabin. At 7am, you depart in Melbourne (after a nice breakfast on board if you rise early enough). It was a lot of fun. The kids loved the cabin's bunk beds and the accommodations were relatively spacious, and very clean. The food in the restaurants was good.

In Melbourne, we visited several playgrounds, the Melbourne Zoo (where some of the highlights included a Red Panda and Tree Kangaroos), and the National Gallery of Victoria where there was a hands-on Lego exhibit. We had some good Thai food along with Jack, Risa's friend from Kinder. Jack is a stuffed bear with his own carrying case and accessories - lots of changes of clothes, pajamas, toothbrush, umbrella, etc. When a child is going somewhere exciting - they loan Jack out an he travels along on the adventure (see photo in the Thai restaurant).

It was great seeing Mark and meeting his new family and we even got a half day of climbing in (his first time in 5 years) He's told me since he's been bouldering twice - he may be rekindling his career.

We miss Spokane, but are enjoying our adventure.

See Ya,

B,N,E,&R