Koalas and Penguins

Beau and I drove down to Phillip Island to check out the Koala Conservatory and the Penguin Parade.  The Koala Conservatory was different from the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary because these Koalas were way up in the trees, just like they are out in nature.  It is really funny seeing this little blob animal so far up in a tree.  It is also kind of like playing Where's Waldo, because some of them are very hard to spot.  We enjoyed taking our time trying to find as many as possible.

Oh yeah-- forgot to remind you of the rules:

1. No touching the animals.

2. No yelling at the animals (someone forgot to mention that to EVERY Asian child there).

3. No shaking the trees.

4. No smoking.

After leaving the Koala Conservatory we had some time to kill before we had to be at the Penguin  Parade so we went to the Nobbies.  The place is called the Nobbies because of the two little island nobs out of the water.  It was beautiful and freezing.

After the Nobbies, our last stop was the Penguin Parade.  The Little Blue Penguins come out of the ocean at dusk and find their burrows.  Not every penguin goes out to the water everyday, some stay on land in their burrows.  Some penguins don't even come back to land every night, they can stay out and float on the water during the night.  Because the penguins parade is at dark, you are not allowed to take pictures because it will startle the penguins.  It is basically a reverse Zoo where we are intruding on the penguins territory, so we are behind the barriers to observe.  It was a really neat experience, you can follow the penguins on the deck while they find their way back to their burrows. 

Shopping at the Queen Victoria Market

Beau and I headed into the city of Melbourne to do some shopping at the local Queen Victoria Market.  We found lots of cute things for souvenirs.  It was a beautiful day to be shopping at the outdoor market!

Dad, Beau took this picture for you.

The Magic Crystals

After Beau hurt his ankle, the physio guy told him to use these crystals at night. Basically you put the crystals around the part that is swelling and it is supposed to draw out the fluid so that it can heal faster.  They are soda crystals that are very slippery when wet!

Step 1:  Wet the first sock.

Step 2:  Put the wet sock on hurt ankle.

Step 3: Fill the wet sock up with crystals around the parts that are swollen and contain fluid.

Step 4:  Put on the dry sock over the wet sock.

Step 5:  Sleep with socks on and foot elevated.

Bread, Water in Wine Glasses and Real Housewives

Beau and I have the stomach virus!  Let me paint you the pitiful picture that is us right now.  We are both laying down, watching Real Housewives of New Jersey episodes from iTunes, drinking our water out of wine glasses because there are no clean glasses in the house.  At least we're keeping it classy while sick!  We have barely moved all day.  What a great way to spend the last week while in Australia.  Hoping we feel better tomorrow!

Proof that Beau Likes Asian Food!!

Beau went with me to eat Chinese food with no intentions of actually ordering something.  When we got there he decided to order fried calamari and I ordered a noodle bowl.  To my surprise, he tasted my noodles and loved them!  I think his mind has been tricking him all this time.. he really does likes Chinese food!  

Misty's American Diner

Beau's Coach, Vince Crivelli, suggested that we try Misty's Diner which specializes in American cusine.   Misty is an American who moved down to Australia with her husband. She realized that there was no place to eat authentic American food around St. Kilda, so she opened up her own little American diner.  She has everything on the menu from cheddar poppers, gourmet hot dogs, hamburgers, and meatloaf to shakes!  They also carry American goodies that you can't get here such as Pop-tarts, Dr. Pepper and American Candy.  Beau, Stan, Z, Micaela and I went to try it out!

 The group at Misty's Diner!

Yummy Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers with a little American Flag.

Stan went big.. Misty's Pig Out Platter!  Chicken strips, meatballs, chicken wings, pork ribs, potato wedges, onion rings and french fries.

Micaela got Misty's American Burger.

Z got the Double Whammy and curly fries.  Two patties, bacon and cheese.  It was HUGE!

Tuna melt for me and a club sandwich for Beau.  Of course, I had to get a Dr. Pepper! 

Probablly the best decision of the night... Butterfinger Shake.  It was delicious!!

4th of July BBQ and Birthday

We celebrated the 4th of July all the way from Australia!  Z invited some of the Sabres Men's and Women's teammates for a BBQ.  Everyone googled "4th of July" to see what is traditionally eaten for the celebration.  We made chicken jalapeno poppers, sausages, hamburgers and watermelon.  It was a great way to feel not so far away from home. 

Later in the party, they suprised me with a birthday cake and cupcakes!  It really made my day because I was starting to feel a little homesick around my birthday.  Thank you everyone for making my Australian Birthday special!