Parklife

Forward: Regrets for the break in posting.  I didn't have much internet access while on my tour. Should be back to steady a upload regimen again.

 

Yesterday was a bit of slow and easy day.  I spent some time cycling along the Yarra in the opposite from my usual route.  I also managed to fit in a round of golf at a local course Yarra Bend that Pete recommended.  It was a decent public course.  I managed to settle myself down after the first couple of holes and really found my rhythm on the back nine coming in 2 over par for an 80.  It’s only a par 68 so no need to get that excited.  I often wonder why I post great rounds on vacation. Golf is indeed a psychological game. 

It’s my last night in Melbourne.  I spent the early part of the day confirming details for my next leg of travel.  I wanted to get myself over to Adelaide, but needed to ensure I experienced the famed Great Ocean Road.  I figured a tour would be the most reasonable means to achieve this.  

I had visited the tour desk at Habitat HQ during my stay there.  The rep presented a couple of tour operators to consider.  Companies were more or less offering the same type of itinerary and price points, so further research would be required on my part to make certain an enriching experience was ahead of me.

He mentioned a couple of key points such as potentially taking in Kangaroo Island that was usually an expensive add on, but there was an operator that provided a 4d/3n option.  He also informed me that Grampians National Park has endured significant damage from the rains that have poured over Victoria in recent seasons so I should verify schedules. Sage advice

I narrowed my search down to two alternatives. After getting online and reviewing testimonials I opted to book with Goin South Tours, which was only one with the Kangaroo Island (KI) add on that had caught my interest.  Besides, the other operator catered exclusively to an under 30 crowd and there was no need to subject myself to being ostracised having to deal with immature folk. 

I called Goin South Tours to confirm my journey.  This operator was a smaller independent ma & pa option, but had a good history given they only specialize in this trip.  The lady was quite helpful on the phone adequately addressing my questions about the tour.  She had correctly deduced I was little more of a mature backpacker given the number of logistical queries I posed.  I took this as a compliment.

She reviewed the revised plans for Grampians, which were reasonable.  She also indicated that the tour departing the next day would be small in size.  Since there was no other party registered to make the trek to KI she advised on another operator they have a partnership with that could address my needs along with providing a 10% discount making the total cost less than the original advertised price given the modifications to the tour.  

After researching the proposal, I opted to bypass KI as the itinerary was slightly different than Goin South and didn’t justify the hundreds of more dollars required to make the excursion. Thus I confirmed the 3d/2n option.

She also went on to indicate that I should ensure Adelaide accommodations were in order given the Fringe Festival was currently running which was a large demand generator.  She was kind enough to provide a few suitable options to consider.  Her recommendations were in line with the ratings found on line, which only reinforced I had chosen wisely.  After failing to receive confirmation from my preferred hostel, I contacted her again and she kindly confirmed my choice.  Best part is the price for single rooms was half of what I paid in Melbourne. Only snag was this journey leaving bright and early Thursday morning at 7:00a! 

So it goes.

Pete was off to Sydney for business reasons, so Mardi suggested we take in the Moonlight Cinema at the Royal Botanical Gardens.  Yet another example of the liberalism in this fine city, we could pack a cooler (or Eski as it's termed here, no such thing as PC in Oz I guess) of food and drink to our outdoor viewing of Pulp Fiction.  Sweet.  

It was a clear and warm summer’s evening against the back drop the city skyline with flying bats (about 2’ wing span) periodically cruising overhead.  We also rented a couple of bean bag loungers to recline in whilst enjoying chilled wine, cheeses and shrimp cocktail.  This is the path of the righteous man.  Mardi and I got our shine on amongst the company of about a hundred of our closest strangers following the same prescription.  It became imperative that we engage in post event cocktails once back at home too. 

How amazing is this place?