Blogs from Torquay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia, Oceania - page 3

Well here I am in Southern Australia! Melbourne is actually a really beautiful city. It's got the Yarra river running through it which is lined with attractive parks and expensive restaurants, and a nice boardwalk. At night, these tall columns let off flames on the hour in front of the huge Casino. It's been great so far. On my first day arriving, I took a walk down the river and managed to see a few sights that were listed in the lonely planet guide. The huge MCG, the boardwalk, and Federation Square all are accessible by the walk, and I managed to get some really good photos. It's been cold, but really not as cold as Canberra was on my first day in Australia. It's funny because I can walk around in capris and a little ... read more

G’day! Before I left the U.S., I was advised by nearly everyone who has visited Australia to “drive down the Great Ocean Road, it is amazing”—those people were 100% correct, it is absolutely amazing! The Great Ocean Road has been chosen (by multiple travel magazines) as the greatest scenic drive in the world. The Road stretches along the southern-most part of Victoria, Australia. The Road has some of the most breathtaking scenery that I have ever seen. I decided to make the 5 hour trip a three-day event. I left Melbourne the afternoon of Friday, January 12th with 7 other students (6 of which were in the study abroad program; 1 was a foreign-exchange student from Valencia, Spain named Mickie) in two rental cars heading for the Great Ocean Road. We drove to Torquay, about 90 ... read more

In less than 1 hour, my parents are taking me to the airport for my flight over to Fiji. Yippee! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes I received in person, via email, phone and text today. I really appreciate your kind thoughts and well wishes. Today has been one of sorrow and excitement. It is certainly exciting to realise that the day of departure on this epic journey has finally arrived. I have been quite anxious all day. It is also sorrowful to have had to say goodbye to many of you for at least 6 months. For others, our paths will not cross for an even longer period of time. Stay tuned for the Fiji update. ... read more

My first entry into the travel blog is necessarily pre-travel. I need to make sure that you all get the link and have the option of following my tour around the globe - if you are remotely interested! Thanks to everyone who has provided guidance and ideas for my trip to date. Hopefully, I will get to see everything I want, including catching a baseball game and the odd Broadway show in NY and the 'Roman Holiday' sights of Rome, and to achieve everything I want including getting my open water dive certificate in the Red Sea, ascending Mt Kilimanjaro and to be understood, at least occasionally, in China! I promise to keep regularly updating this site and look forward to your feedback! love Merryn... read more

My first visit was so good, I had to return for another in 2005.... read more