The Great Ocean Road

This brief road trip was incredibly lovely - despite the winds, and a bit of a chill, the coast of Victoria is so incredibly gorgeous.  Loaded up with snacks, we drove windy roads and stopped whenever we fancied (which was basically every single viewing spot, even if they were less than a kilometer apart).  The color of the ocean is so absolutely beautiful and we passed so many beaches that didn't have a single soul on them - it was picturesque.  We stood at one spot or another for ages, watching the waves roll in and saying absolutely nothing at all.

my dear Michael

my odd pose is because I'm bracing myself for a jumping photo, but had to share because it's too funny (photo by Michael Phillips)

kangaroo crossing! (I also spotted signs for koala bear crossing)

sentimental Michael

I look horrid in this photo but I love it because I look so darn happy (photo by Michael Phillips)

Warrnambool

Warrnambool: the first place I ever drove on the "wrong" side of the road.  Although no one got hurt, I must have turned on the windshield wipers by accident approximately three dozen times (it's so confusing to have the indicators on the opposite side of the steering wheel!).  This sleepy town is also where I tried my first Australian parma (I must say, I really don't get the hype...).  It's also the place Michael and I started our tour of the Great Ocean Road.  The weather didn't quite cooperate, especially considering that it's summertime in the land of Oz, but the views were still fantastic.  Cliffs carved out of the side of the land, beautiful beaches, and water you can see down for hundreds of meters.  I think the reason I'm so fond of this road is because much of it reminds me of one of my favorite places of all time: Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.

(p.s. you can buy a print, among other items of my first photo here: http://bit.ly/18Dvljk)