Travel Stories | Expat Life
xo, jill
From the Hip Friday features photos taken without the use of a viewfinder. If you have a photograph that was taken from the hip you’d like to share here, please contact me!
Matilda the Kangaroo is 13 meters high and sits near a pond at a Matilda Fuel Supplies travel center in Queensland. Before her current stint as a “Big Thing,” she was the star of the show at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games. She also lived at a Gold Coast theme park for awhile. No doubt, this girl has seen and done a lot!
We got out of the car to greet Matilda and to grab a snack. Unfortunately, the food at this travel center was expensive and not all that appealing. Fortunately, just seeing Matilda blink was worth the stop. (Yep, she can move!)
Big Thing: Matilda the Kangaroo
Location: Gympie, Queensland
Rating: 
Here’s to Matilda’s long career!
xo, jill
Before arriving in Australia, I had my sights set on Melbourne. Despite Mike having had two sub-par experiences there previously, I knew it was the city for me. So many other travelers and bloggers rave about the city, I figured that Mike’s visits were just flukes. I mean, you can’t look at Kristina’s Instagram feed and not fall in love with Melbourne!
So what did I think of it?
It was pretty great… but it just wasn’t the place for me at that time.
We took the train into the city a few times while staying in Mornington, and explored a bit more while staying with Alli in the city. Even though we hoped to spend a few months in Melbourne, it just felt like it was time to move on.
And funnily enough, even though I was really excited to be in Melbourne, I hardly took any photos. (Although I do have vague memories of taking photos I can’t find.)
So here are the highlights:
1. Meeting Alli and Rob. – A few weeks before we arrived in Melbourne, Alli got in touch and invited us to stay with her and her husband for a night or two. She seemed nice (from her blog) and Australia is expensive… so we went for it. I figured she could either be weird and we’d have an awkward few days, or she’d be really great and I’d make a new friend. You guys, she’s really weird. Totally kidding. I’m so glad we took Alli up on her offer. Both she and Rob were friendly, welcoming, hospitable, and interesting. It was so nice to enjoy good conversations, good food, and a cozy bed. And now I have my very own Aussie friend that I can email with random Australia related questions! Thanks again for having us Alli and Rob!
2. Australian Center for the Moving Image – This museum was so fun, we went twice! I keep failing at trying to describe it, so let me quote their website: “The centrepiece is a new, free entry, permanent exhibition charting the journey of the moving image and, in particular, Australia’s engagement with screen culture as consumer and creator. Screen Worlds: The Story of Film, Television, and Digital Culture is a unique, interactive and immersive exhibition that dynamically illustrates how each of the forms of the moving image have emerged and evolved as a powerful creative medium.” If you’ve ever wanted to create your own Matrix-like scene in bullet time, this is the place. There’s also an amazing exhibit on right now featuring Hollywood costumes. I’m sad I missed it!
3. The Astor Theatre – One night Mike and I took the train into the city to catch an Audrey Hepburn double feature at the Astor Theatre. We watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s and then snuck out after the first twenty minutes of Roman Holiday. It pained me to leave (I love that movie) but we had to get back to attend to the cat. The theatre itself is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the 1930s art-deco atmosphere. I just wish I had been better dressed for the evening.
4. Lentil As Anything – In every new city I look up vegetarian restaurants to try out. I was really excited about this one. Lentil As Anything operates as a “pay what you feel” restaurant. This means you pay what you feel the food and the experience is worth to you. It’s a business model that doesn’t seem like it would work, but it does. Lentil As Anything has been going strong for over 13 years with three locations. We ate at the St. Kilda restaurant and the food was delicious.
5. State Library of Victoria – I love libraries in general and reading rooms in particular. The State Library of Victoria is no exception. There’s something about housing over 2 million books in the same building that creates an enchanting atmosphere. In addition to the books, you can also visit a variety of exhibitions including the homemade armor of the infamous Ned Kelly. (And who doesn’t want to see that?)
It’s funny how what you predict to be true, isn’t always the case. I still think that Melbourne as a city suits me (much more so than Sydney), I just didn’t feel compelled to stick around for too long. Maybe next time. The road was calling.
xo, jill
Mike and I settled down in Newcastle just over a month ago. We are living right across the street from the beach and are spoiled daily by gorgeous sunsets. As I’ve mentioned before, Newcastle sometimes gets a bad rap but I really love it.
Both of us have found jobs in a factory (more on that later) and plan to spend our final two months in Australia right here.
xo, jill
After enjoying the sights on Phillip Island, Mike and I headed to the Mornington Peninsula for our second stint as house sitters. Mornington (the town) is about an hour outside of Melbourne and is a popular beach getaway for Melburians, especially in the summer. It was a pretty easy decision to make when we were contacted by the home owner. Would we like to stay in a comfortable home near the beach yet still in reach of Melbourne and take care of a cat? Of course!
We house sat for nearly three weeks and spent our time relaxing, cooking, visiting Melbourne, watching Breaking Bad, and cuddling with the cat. We also managed a few beach days in there as well.
Here are a few photos from our time in Mornington.
Not a bad place to spend nineteen days.
xo, jill
