Examine your box of Crayolas
Melbourne, Australia:
When kids draw with crayons, the sky is sky blue, the grass emerald green and the ocean teal. It’s rare to actually see a teal sea but Crayola doesn’t make a muddy blueish-grey, so you do the best with what you have.
The sea in Melbourne is teal. Not murky brown or crystal-clear or muddy blueish grey. Teal.
Australia being an island means that there is a LOT of gorgeous teal water here. One of the best ways to see it is a drive along the coast and a day trip along the Great Ocean Road, which runs for several hundred kilometers as a tribute to World War I veterans, fits the bill – a British magazine apparently named it the best day trip in the world. Pretty high praise.
Our guide is Bernie, a Santa Claus lookalike with the personality and vocabulary of a crusty sailor. He has such a thick Aussie accent that about every fifth word is unintelligible and loves making wildly inappropriate xenophobic remarks, teasing the French about eating snails, the Brits about being silly poms and us Americans about being, well, American.
We drive by a group of female joggers. “Now that’s a sight to see,” he says.
Oh, Bernie.
After a 7:30 am pick-up and collecting the entire group, the van heads east. Despite the early wake-up, it’s impossible to sleep and risk missing so much incredible scenery. Mile after mile of coastline passes by and we stop several times to take pictures of lighthouses, impressive cliffs and white sand shoreline.
“…and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” Louis had it right. Bernie loves classic tunes and his CD player constantly plays the greatest hits of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Just before noon, the van pulls onto a gravel road lined with eucalyptus trees. Near the bottom of the hill, the trees are completely bare of leaves. It’s only driving higher that leafy trees can be seen. Can you see where this story is heading?
“If you spot a koala, just shout out,” Bernie says.
Moments later, we’ve seen our first koala, a large female calmly scratching herself on a low branch. She appears completely unphased by the twenty camera-wielding tourists invading her space.
After realizing there are only so many angles you can get on a koala – it’s exactly an active animal – a few of us meander down the road and quickly spot another koala on a different branch and higher tree. Just like his female friend, this guy also just placidly sits there. Seems like a nice life. We can check that off the list though – seeing koalas in the wild – done and done! 
A brief hike through the rainforest, dry now during the summer, and then it’s back into the van for the tour’s highlight, The Twelve Apostles. Where there were once 12 of these tall rock structures coming out of the surf, there are now only nine (one crumbled just a few months ago). Erosion and other natural forces are slowly degrading these pillars. One guide said that every time she visits the sight, it’s slightly different.
Two final stops on the agenda – London Bridge, a double-arched rock formation that resembled England’s most famous bridge until it (the rocks, not the bridge) collapsed 20 years ago, and a hidden gorge that resembles a Thai beach with its steep cliffs and private feel.
Unfortunately, Canberra got kicked off the agenda — realized we’d be there on a Sunday and nothing’s open! — so we’re taking an overnight bus to Sydney tonight. Can’t wait to get back to that amazing city! 
Thanks to everyone for the sweet comments so far. I AM having a blast and love taking you with me. 
Crap! You’ve already left Melbourne. Guess you’ll have to make it back there sometime in the future to take on my travel trips…
And stop getting burned, you crazy fool. Did you learn nothing from the Phils!?
I have never seen water that color! I’m so jealous!
Love the koala!
Omg this is like the vacation of my dreams. Your pics are gorgeous! Enjoy the teal water
Oh to be on that beach. Beautiful!
OK – may I just say that picture you took of London Bridge looks like that rock formation shot from the Goonies – right when they start their adventure! Maybe it’s a sign…
It looks gorgeous…I’d love to go to Australia! Hope you’re having a good time
i just caught up on your posts and OMG the pics are so beautiful! i’m insanely jealous but so happy for you
Oh my gosh, I LOVE Great Ocean Road. So so beautiful. Have so much fun in Sydney, that is definitely one of my favorite places in the world. Have a Boost Juice for me!
I saw Boost Juice today — will be the perfect cool-down one afternoon this week, for sure. Thanks for the recc!
Australia is definitely on my “to visit” list. It looks absolutely beautiful. And I love koalas!
Glad you’re having such a delightful time!
Good idea to scrap the Sunday visit to Canberra! It is quite the commuter town – lots working there live in other cities and commute, or only when parliament is sitting. Did Bernie tell you why koalas don’t move much? Cause they’re drunk on eucalyptus fumes.
So glad you’re seeing Aus and loving it
Sydney is the most fantastic city on the planet….I would move there in a second if immigration would let me. Not fair!
I met this American girl who has literally gone through every visa they offer trying to stay here… it’s hard.
give my love to sydney, its been a while…
Beautiful photos! I was there in Australian winter, and it was just too cold to go in the water. Jealous!
I’m pretty sure all my comments on your posts for the next two months are going to go something like this…SO JEALOUS!
works for me!
we all have those moments.
Who told you that nothing would be open in Canberra on a Sunday? that is WRONG! there is lots to do in Canberra on a Sunday
hehe anyway glad to hear that you are enjoying Australia!!!
Lisa can you tell me what to do in Camberra on Sundays?