On Christmas, Jesus was (Mel)Born

(Written 29/12, 12.00pm)

I am on the train to Sydney after an incredible and very memorable week in Melbourne with the Dhingra's - the family away from home. The week was full of a huge variety of activities from a Onesie Party to the Boxing Day Test to the most heavenly view on Mount Oberon! I did not expect to fall for Melbourne like this.

Detailed account (STOP NOW if you have anything useful to be doing!):

Sunday

On day one, I settled in briefly before being whisked away to choose myself a onesie (a one-piece pyjama-like outfit) from apparently the Southern Hemisphere's largest shopping centre, Chadstone. There was no escaping wearing a onesie later that week it seemed. The rest of the day was nice and relaxed with a coffee stop back in Glen Waverley and a much appreciated home-made Indian meal - the first in two months!

Monday

We headed off in a mini roadtrip to Mount Dandenong where the William Rickett's Sanctuary is situated. The sanctuary was comprised of sculptures of the indigenous people's culture scattered across the foresty mountain. It was like nothing I have ever seen before, and seemed like the perfect activity for that morning enhanced by the cool and crisp air. 

We then headed on a city exploration, which made me fall for Melbourne just a little. People had mentioned that Melbourne has character, but I find "character" is one of those things that means very little until you have experienced it. But they were right! For me, it boiled down to the awesome graffiti, the Yarra river and its banks, the absence of a sky filled with building-tops, and the many quirky areas dotted around the city. We chilled on a hill, had a nice dinner at Chinatown and finally set up shop at a rooftop bar. 

Tuesday

I finally got some exercise under my belt in this day with a bike-ride exploration of Melbourne. Struggling to keep up with my partner in crime, we travelled from near the Dhingra's place to the city (~14km) through greenery, under a freeway, and along the river. It really was a great track for exploration. The weather was also bike-riding perfection.

In the evening we had a Christmas Eve barbeque on the river bank. 

A Christmas Eve barbeque? 

Yeah, you?

Carols by Candlelight made for fitting background music as we tucked in, and at home time we honed our Djenga skills. I guess that was the end of Djenga for the week... Or was it? 

Wednesday

Kismat day! Now I had forgotten what all the fuss was about, but this is where children have their use. Santa Claus was certainly alive in that house! The kids' buzz for the presents almost rivalled the adults' excitement over the food! Shocking! A viewing of the Polar Express followed, and then THE MOST EPIC GAME OF DJENGA OF ALL TIME!! Rajan and I doubled the height of the tower with fearsome intensity before it came crashing down signalling the end of the night. Strange not being home for Christmas, but maybe necessary for the Christmas to be uncancelled for the Glebelands Kids?

Thursday

Well surely now all the fun for the week had been used up? Wrong! MCG for the Boxing Day Test! Horribly slow cricket from England, but the atmosphere was intense! The fire from the Australian crowd drove me to my strongest support for England. It required much brainwork to transition from test cricket to the onesie party! Great party with both intimacy and liveliness, and the jungle was massive.

Friday

After a struggle of a wake up, we set of to Wilson's Prom National Park on what was to be possibly my favourite roadtrip of all time. Between the scenery and the perfection roadtrip DJing by Rajan, we forgot that life exists outside of the car! 

But it does. After much difficulty, but powerful persistence, we set up our tents. Dip in the Tidal River, beach cricket and a climb of Mount Oberon into the sunset and a bed of beautiful heavenly clouds. Oh yes, that was some view. On the way up, Rajan picked out a nice shortcut for us. It was steeply uphill on less than sturdy rocks and led to a dead-end. Murphy's Law: The shortcut is the longest possible way to get from A to B. Bang on. But certainly no complaints for adventure is the spice of life? Something like that. The stargazing that followed was damn spectacular too. Camping under a sky full of stars - hashtaglifeisdecent. 

Saturday

And on the seventh day, we beached. It was a beautiful day at Norman Beach, and the heated soccer game was perfect for building up an appetite ahead of our campsite barbeque - a thoroughly enjoyed meal. The drive home was excellent once more, and some nice Daal Makhani hit the spot before I returned to the wild and PB&J sandwiches.