penguin parade...

As it was Billy's birthday on Thursday I decided to plan a fun filled weekend for us both to celebrate. We have kind of decided that while we are away travelling we would much rather spend our money on enjoying things rather than buying each other gifts. How very practical of us but it means we really are having the most amazing time away.

On Friday we kicked off the weekend with dinner at a mexican restaurant, one of our favourite types of food to eat and then we went to see Captain Phillips. If you have not seen this movie you must go. It is based on a true story and honestly I don't think I took a proper breath from the moment I sat down until after I had left the theatre. It was fab. Seriously gripping stuff and so well filmed too. Tom Hanks is as always outstanding in this roll.

On Saturday we were up early and went for brunch in town and then went to meet a bus tour. We hopped on the bus at one and headed off down south to Phillip Island. Our first stop was at Churchill Island to see a working farm. We saw a working dog display and also a blacksmith display. There was loads of animals to see here including some wallabies and guinea pigs. There was also a beautiful old house to see too.

From here we went to a Koala Conservation centre. The koalas are just so chilled out, sleeping high up in the trees. They sleep for about twenty hours a day. How crazy is that? We saw about ten Koalas here. Some were pretty big too. I was quite suprised by that.

We then went to see the Nobbies rock formations. The view was spectacular and we had a lovely walk along the boardwalks there. It was pretty windy but so fresh. The air comes straight off the Antartic so apparently some of the freshest air you will breath.

Our final stop on the journey was to see the penguin parade. This was absolutely amazing.

Firstly you visit an information centre where we saw these Penguin nests. Some had newborn babies in them too. You can just kind of see the little babies wing peeking out from under it's mother here.

We also got to learn some interesting facts about the little penguins. Tough love in the penguin world.

You then get to sit down by the beach and watch the little penguins coming home for the night. You see them all as they cross the beach and head home to their nests. It takes them a few goes before they pluck up the courage to make the dash but when they do it is fab. There were hundreds of penguins. As you head back up the boardwalks afterwards you are within touching distance of them all as they waddle home. They were just so so cute. It was a pretty full day so needless to say we snoozed for the whole bus journey home.

On Sunday we met my brother Pete for brunch. As usual Pete was over half an hour late, nothing new there at all. We had a delicious brunch at one of our favourite restaurants called Phamish in St Kilda before heading to town. There was an open day on at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) so the boys were dying to head there. We have already been there to see some footy games so this was their chance to actually get to go onto the pitch. We went and bought two footy balls on the way there too. The place was packed but it was so much fun kicking the ball about. The stadium looks so amazing from the pitch. We had a nice cool cider afterwards to bring us back to life and then Pete headed off to work. We were feeling a little lazy so decided to eat out instead of facing the cooking when we got home. I can't believe it's Monday already. Roll on next weekend.

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