Melbourne, AUS 2006

As I update my blog with a list of places I have been, I realized that I started the blog in 2008 and never got a chance to write about my trip to Australia in 2006.  So I decided to write a little about it and post some pics:

I went to Australia in the summer of 2006 to as a study abroad with IES.  It was between the junior and senior year at Wesleyan College and I had always wanted to go to Australia.  It was my first time traveling outside of the US and I picked the the country with a 14+ hour flight.  I flew Qantas and the air hostess were no nonsense.  I guy keep complaining about being placed near the emergency exit and threaten to put his feet up on the exit door.  It was pretty crazy, they ended up getting the captain to come out and threaten to have him taken off the plane.  When I arrived in Melbourne, I was pretty amazed at city, it was really nice and a lot of public transportation. 

Because it was a study abroad group we had to do the group tours, which was to Phillips island.  It was ok but it felt like a grade school camping trip. 

While I was there I was able to make the trip along Great Ocean Road...

In addition, we got to take a wine tour, where I purchased a bottle of desert wine that I did not open until 2008...

During my June-July stay I did an internship with Museum Victoria, which is made up of several museums throughout Melbourne.  (Be sure to check out the website because I was there when they were in the process of redesigning the logos).  I met great people when I was there who I still stay in contact with today. 

Overall, Melbourne was a great experience and I would love to go back.  There is so much that  I remember but it would take a few pages to write about...but I think I'll leave it with a few pictures and a BIG recommendation...if you ever go to Australia go to Melbourne...great shopping and an amazing art scene.