Water, water everywhere, Nor any drop to drink…we think after a trip round Melbourne bay areas

9^th December 2010

Our neighbour Paul offered to take Mom & Dad around the Melbourne bay areas. We were excited and surprised with his offer. However not very confident on Mom & Dad’s comfort levels of a trip with a non-Indian for the first time in their lives. Although, Dad can communicate in English with Paul we thought it would be nice if one of us can join them. All 4 of us thought it would even more fun if all of us were in that trip. Mom started praying internally and I went spoke to Paul on our intentions. Paul was more than happy to welcome our thoughts.

Every one had to get ready by 9.30 am; the plan was to go to the Shiva Yoga ashram at Mt. Eliza first, which means Mom will not wear chudidar. Not having enough time to make something to eat, forced me to prepare only curd rice with some crackers. While the others were busy getting ready, I packed Tea, biscuits, crackers, spoons etc …nonetheless ginger beer.

Everyone was ready by 9.30 am and we left home at 9.30am.

Wait a minute... I forgot to tell you this... Mom made sure pictures were taken before start as a memento. We drove for 45 minutes to reach Mt Eliza. The ashram was quiet dwelled in beauty of silence. Mom & dad highly impressed with the beauty of the place enjoyed their time there. We waited in the immaculately painted (mantras) meditation room for Swami ji. Mom made sure I capture even the minute things in our camera. After few minutes, swamiji came and we chatted with him for a while. Paul took us around the ashram and it was blissful being there.

 We headed towards Arthur’s Seat at Dromana; it was a wonderful view there. We admired the stunning scenery of the Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait from different angles and elevations. It was 12 noon and every one seem to be hungry because we did not have a good breakfast . We checked the options available at the local restaurant but could not find any impressive ones. There was a picnic area amongst the trees on the peak. With the sounds of perching birds, it appeared as the birds were trying to talk to the trees and trees responded by swinging in the wind. The sun tried to peep through the leaves of the tall trees. Amidst this beauty, we opened our boxes of curd rice and crackers. We offered Paul the curd rice with pickle and crackers. Well everyone was happy as there was something to eat .While Paul enjoyed his smoke along with juice we brought for him. He liked the plain curd rice that was not spicy for him.

After 45 minutes, we set ourselves to Rose bud from where we drove past Sorrento towards the London bridge .We did not hop out of the car as we headed towards point Nepean national park. We reached there and realised there is internal guided bus tour. The park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay. We still had half an hour for the tour after buying the tickets. It was getting colder there and everyone seems to have realised the importance of chai. I served the chai to everyone, Paul loved it. He said keep it for later as well. The tour started on time and we were shown the park which runs through the tip” Nepean Point.” The audio guided us through the historical significance of the place, while we enjoyed the coastal native trees and grasses. After some time we realised we were at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula …it was hard to believe that there was just water, water n water beyond this point.

After such a relaxing tour, we had plans to take the ferry and go to the other side of the Melbourne bay. Dad’s dream of travelling in a ship came true, he was impressed with the Ferry. There were so many Titanic poses taken on the Ferry. We also had Walkers biscuits which everyone liked it. We were back on the road heading towards the place were Paul wanted to show us the sand dunes. We went to point Lonsdale, lighthouse after which we went to Ocean grove lighthouse.

We went near the waters and took many snaps. Paul could not bear the cold hence went inside the car. We head towards Geelong and it rained cats & dogs. After a while when it stopped we saw a big rainbow prominent. Have not seen such a rainbow in my lifetime. It was a blissful moment and we tried to capture in camera .Even after several trials to capture the rainbow we failed to capture its totality. We wanted to have early dinner outside as no one seem to have eaten well in the afternoon. By this time all the energy had drained and it was already 8.30 pm .Well Sravan, Dad & Mom happily slept at back .I knew how challenging would it be to drive after such a strenuous day, I had to keep talking to Paul to keep him alert. We planned to order Dominos Pizza after reaching home.

We reached home at 9.30 pm and we order Pizza. Thanks to dominos for their prompt service, we received pizza at 10 pm. I went and gave Paul’s share of Pizza and Ginger beer .The Pizza was yummmyyyyyyyyyyy… thin crust crispy …all of us enjoyed it. As always, Sravan put the slideshow of the photographs taken today. Also enjoyed, watching videos captured. Flat tired everyone could not stay awake for long and the home was encroached by attaya’s & Sravan’s snore.