Sunbury (for Feb. 2)
We had a confirmed reservation at Cranbourne because it was on the way to Melbourne and they had a hotel that belonged to our pre-paid voucher plan. Little did we know that we would want to return to Phillip Island. We were not aware of the Koala sanctuary with the raised 
boardwalks among the trees but we figured this was something we shouldn’t miss. So we left the hotel at 9:30 and backtracked an hour to the Koalas. It was again very interesting to observe unfamiliar creatures in their natural environment.
Although most of them were sleeping, there were a few of them moving around and we got a few pictures - unlike the Penguin Parade last night where pictures were not allowed. The weather was also much better, enhancing the experience. We lunched as we left and departed for Sunbury at noon.
The land that we didn’t see in the dark last night is flat to gently rolling, mostly cleared for agriculture with cattle grazing being the predominant activity. The road is mostly divided highway of good quality.
We neared the toll roads of downtown Sydney at 1:30. Unsure about the tolls and wanting to avoid downtown, we made a tactical error by turning off to another road, where we promptly got caught behind a trolley car that we could not pass. Eventually, we the trolley turned off, but we continued to plod along busy city streets. Finally, we met up with Barb Jones on the highway and she guided us to their home in Sunbury by 3. We later learned two things. First, after a closer look at the map, the toll road would have avoided the downtown anyway. Second, there are no toll plazas. It is all electronic. We would have driven along obliviously while they snapped a picture of our license plate. If we did not phone in to voluntarily pay our toll, we would have received a nasty bill for a huge fine some time in the future. Glad we know now!
After a few short hellos with Tony and Ryan, we headed off to visit Barb’s Mom, Auntie Agnes. She was waiting in the window when we drove up and was very happy and excited to see us. She came to Australia about 14 years ago, and this was the first time we had seen her since. We had a very nice visit and brought her up to date on what everyone was doing before returning to Barb’s for an excellent supper, followed by an evening of visiting and solving all the world’s s problems.
boardwalks among the trees but we figured this was something we shouldn’t miss. So we left the hotel at 9:30 and backtracked an hour to the Koalas. It was again very interesting to observe unfamiliar creatures in their natural environment.Although most of them were sleeping, there were a few of them moving around and we got a few pictures - unlike the Penguin Parade last night where pictures were not allowed. The weather was also much better, enhancing the experience. We lunched as we left and departed for Sunbury at noon.
The land that we didn’t see in the dark last night is flat to gently rolling, mostly cleared for agriculture with cattle grazing being the predominant activity. The road is mostly divided highway of good quality.
We neared the toll roads of downtown Sydney at 1:30. Unsure about the tolls and wanting to avoid downtown, we made a tactical error by turning off to another road, where we promptly got caught behind a trolley car that we could not pass. Eventually, we the trolley turned off, but we continued to plod along busy city streets. Finally, we met up with Barb Jones on the highway and she guided us to their home in Sunbury by 3. We later learned two things. First, after a closer look at the map, the toll road would have avoided the downtown anyway. Second, there are no toll plazas. It is all electronic. We would have driven along obliviously while they snapped a picture of our license plate. If we did not phone in to voluntarily pay our toll, we would have received a nasty bill for a huge fine some time in the future. Glad we know now!
After a few short hellos with Tony and Ryan, we headed off to visit Barb’s Mom, Auntie Agnes. She was waiting in the window when we drove up and was very happy and excited to see us. She came to Australia about 14 years ago, and this was the first time we had seen her since. We had a very nice visit and brought her up to date on what everyone was doing before returning to Barb’s for an excellent supper, followed by an evening of visiting and solving all the world’s s problems.
posted by Celeste at
12:38 a.m.
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