Home Safe and Sound

Well, our last day was definitely the best by far! It was the perfect day to end our adventures in Australia. We booked a tour with Bunyip Tours and spent the day touring Phillip Island. Our first stop on the tour was a wildlife conservatory, where we trampled in the mud to see all the animals.

As we walked through the waterlogged, muddy grass, we saw koalas, dingos, a Tasmanian devil and of course, a cute wombat. I was certain the wombat would not come out of its den, but to my amazement he did! He was so cute...on a scale of 1 to 10...he was a sure million! I was asking the guide if anyone had domesticated them...and I am sure he thought I was quite bizarre as he replied...Ummm...no.

Then to the most amazing experience of hand feeding the wallabies and kangaroo. They were so cute! The wallabies would eat very slowly and neatly while the kangaroo was a messy eater...occasionally nipping your skin as he devoured the food. One of the little wallabies had a joey in her pocket and it was absolutely amazing!

Afterwards we headed over to Church Hill Farms to watch a sheep shearer shear a sheep. (LOL..say that 10 times fast). I think this farmer was the most authentic Australian farmer that we have met on our trip. He was quite amazing as we watched him strip the sheep and manipulate the animal around his legs while holding on with one hand and clipping with the other. The whole experience was done in 2 minutes. He gets paid 3$ a sheep and on average does 50 sheep a day...amazing!

After the farm we headed over to the Koala Conservatory and walked the boardwalks looking for koalas. They were quite high in the trees except for one, but we were not allowed to pet them as the pamphlet seemed to indicate...a little disappointing, but after the kangaroo / wallaby experience I wasn't too let down.

Our before last stop was the Nobbies were we tried to spot seals unsuccessfully as we were surrounded by seagulls - thousands of them. We did spot some penguins huddling under the boardwalk though. We lay down on the poop covered walk to see the little penguins not 3 inches from our faces. Incredible!

Last stop...the Penguin Parade. This amazing stop was a ranger filled conservatory of the smallest penguins of Australia. Every night about a thousand penguins come in from the ocean to meet up with their mates and babies. We sad huddled on a platform waiting for the penguins to come. When all of a sudden, the little creatures suddenly appear. The noise they make is quite distinct. We were unable to take pictures, but we did buy a movie. An unforgettable experience.

OMG! It is already our last day!

I need more time! I keep whining to Tanya who keeps telling me...I know...I know! Well, after my fabulous day of sessions on Wednesday, Thursday we went to the zoo. I love the zoo. I am going to be 32 years old this week...yet I still manage to buy a stuffed animal of a cute fuzy baby penguin. I couldn't resist. I say it is for Ayla...but I mean really...she is 12...who am I trying to fool. The zoo was great...I want a wombat...they are my new favorite animal in the whole world! They also had a baby elephant, baby wild pigs and 4 baby tigers too...very cute.



Afterwards we headed back downtown to go the ABBA exhibit. On the train, Tanya realizes that she doesn't actually have enough change to get a ticket. So we decide to chance it. We hadn't seen any tram police yet...well...yes...you guessed it...just before our stop two police officers get on and start checking everyone...Tanya is like...we need to get off! Well...she smoothly lies her way through that she can't find her ticket, it's our stop, but if necessary she'll pay again...no, no it's all right, go on ahead. Phew! I was waiting to be tackled at any moment.



Of to the ABBA exhibit. In one word - AMAZING! We did every activity. The quizzes, the singing-a-long, the dance video...everything! Very fun! We'll post our video soon!



That evening we went to the Banquet of the ICOPA conference. It was perfect! Everyone was on the dance floor. And the dance floor wasn't big enough, so everyone was just dancing everywhere! We all had a blast with good food and wine. They kicked us out at 1:00 A.M. and off we headed to plop into our beds.



The next morning I was up bright and early for our last conference. The plenary was about where we are now with vaccines and it was very interesting. I think we have a ways to go, but we are definitely headed in the right direction. After a quick tea we all headed off to the last session on the conference. I chose a Giardia session. It was my favorite parasite in my intro class, so I thought I'd see where research is going now in regards to this parasite. Very cool stuff and then off to the final ceremony.

I must say, that I was a little disappointed that I did not win one of the poster prises. But...no worries, ICOPA XIII is going to be in Mexico and I will simply work that much harder to be in the top posters or orals for that meeting. The conference is over! I think we were all a little sad because we were all just getting to know each other, but happy because it was an intensive crazy week.

That afternoon Tanya and I headed off to the Queen Victoria Markets, which after an interesting tour bus ride (said sarcastically - lots of stories there...according to the driver you must be in rehab if you haven't been to the market yet), the market however was already closing. Weirdly, Melbourne seems to have very strange opening hours. You can't find a coffee shop or restaurant open after three! We finally found a McCafe (yes I know...we are in Australia and we go to McD's! But really! It was the only thing open!). We then walk over to a restaurant...thankfully Copper's Inn was serving normal food! Yay! And after a nice big steak we head over to Croft's Institute and then a tea at Krispy Kreme's where we are told, "Donut People are Happy people!" and finally to bed before our last day...today...for our tour to Philip's Island.

I can't wait to tell everyone about today...we got to pet kangaroos!!! And we saw the smallest penguins in the world come in from sea and join their mates after a long day out! The best ending to a fabulous adventure!

St. Kilda

This morning was Angie's last conference day. Destined to finish her day around 2, I dragged myself out of bed and after coffee and warm banana bread at Gloria Jeanès, I grabbed the cable car (and bought a day ticket - I'll let Angie tell you that story!) and headed out of the city. Similar to the Beaches where I live in Toronto, St. Kilda is the sea accessible from the city. I am enchanted by the long pier, and in spite of the grey clouds and wind I walked down and had a tea at the small cafe at the end of the pier, which was actually a new building that was built as an expact replica of the original after it burnt in 2003. The sea and sky were grey and stormy, which just made the day even more dramatic.

I then walked back and dow past the indoor salt pool and then past the entrance to Luna Park, which was closed but looked like a little small town parking lot fair.
I pass the park entrance and stroll along the shopping street, where it seems to either be funky clothes store or bakery that appeals to the crowd. Of course, there are a few shoes stores, too!
I grab the tram back into the city and Angie and I head to the Queen Victoria Markets, subject of another entry!

Public Spaces

One thing I have really enjoyed about Melbourne is their buildings and their creative use of public spaces. Somehow, in a city that was the first established by the British in 1835 year, the urban planners have allowed for odd shaped, colors and textures to be included in their city landscape. (Granted, the local indigenous have been here for roughly 70,000 years, but that is another story.) From the Sienna-like Piazza at Federation Square to the funky university building for the RMIT, which seem to be inspired by Kafka himself.
In between these buildings and Melbourne's alleyways are corridors with steps to be sat on that lead to carpeted squares to hold open air readings, plays, shows, you name it, it happens outside in Melbourne. The Symphony even has its own outdoor permanent venue.
I think my stepdaughter would enjoy this city. It is urban in every way, but not so new that it is still growing into what it will be. Melbourne is grown up, mature and comfortable in its melange of arts, history and shiny new development. Somehow, it all just comes together.

Tonight I dragged Angie to a place called the Craft Institute, written up in Lonely Planet, and I had seen the alleyway it was down on my walk through Chinatown earlier this week. The bar was a hoot, exactly as I had imagined and as promised, with lab equipment scattered on shelves, and the bathrooms contained a hospital bed and were labelled "Department of Feminine Hygiene". Angie promptly ordered something served in a syringe. Of course she did. I could tell she was having trouble not taking out the camera. We sat and had our cocktails and soaked up the cool tunes and the really strong drinks! It would definitely be a regular hang out if we lived here!

The Pub, The Pie and The Tapas

Traveling for me always means new foods, either whole new ingredients or just different ways to prepare certain things or put other things together. Oddly, Australia, like Canada, is such a melting pot that there are few things I have found to be typically Australian. We are also traveling in the city, two major cities, which are as multicultural as they get, so Thai, Sushi, Nepalese, you name it, it is likely represented here in culinary form. Yesterday on the free tram, the statistic stated was of Melbourne's 3000 restaurants, 70 cultures are represented. So, in other words, it is a cool place to eat.
On Tuesday night, Angie and I headed to the Crown Casino to a pub upstairs. We were both tired after long days, so figured a burger and a pint would be a great thing. They had hard cider on tap, much to my joy, and I ordered Angie a glass of sparkling wine while we waited for our table.
When our table was called, we were told we had to go up to the bar to order. Hmmm. Not the sit down and chill idea we had in mind, but OK. Wait, it gets better. Not only do you have to stand in line to give the staff there your order, you also have to pay at the same time! Angie manages the main course, and I go up to order dessert. Oh yes, you guessed it, it gets better. When I finally get up to the bar to order, I tell her I want two teas and an apple crisp. She looks at me and asks: Any food? (I refrained from asking her if she had a hearing problem.) When I got back to our table, I asked Angie why anybody would actually go there for dinner unless it was an accident! Not recommended.
Last night, I picked a Spanish Tapas bar for dinner - Modiva. The tour book said it was THE Melbourne experience! I figured we could share some small items and chat about our day. We get there and are told we can get a table around 8:15. We go and wander the spray painted alley way, circle back to Flinder's Station, walk through Federation Square and then back again. After a few moments of waiting, we are seated and Angie is ready to order 5 courses - all dessert. The waiter laughs, and give us menus. Angie suggests we take a picture of the menu, because there is nothing on it she actually wants to order! Poor sister - the thought of air cured tuna, beef cheek and guinea hen makes her sigh in dismay. We get her over the first hurdle as she orders the squid, which arrives on a plate coated in its own ink, 1 piece about the size of half my thumb, and it is stuffed, too (I am sure by some 4 year old Filipino child). The flavor is great, and my sister starts to loosen up and get adventurous. To be clear, though, she tells me there is no way she would ever go back there. Personally, I was considering the cook book. I would highly recommend it.
Today for a late lunch after the Zoo, we were looking for something to tie us over until the banquet tonight. One Australian trend that we saw but never tried in Sydney was pie - small, individual meat pies of various flavors, served with mashed potatoes on top, mushy peas and gravy. Sound gross? Well, today we indulged at a place called Pie Face, a chain of pie providers. It was certainly tasty, unfortunately for me, I am still tasting it, 3 hours later! They had veggie flavored ones, Thai Curry, and various beef options. They also have little baby dessert pies and soups. $10 gets you a meat pie and a dessert tart (lemon for me, apple for Angie). I would do it again, for sure!
Tonight is the Geek Banquet and then tomorrow night we are still deciding where to eat. Saturday will be the Penguin Tour, so no dinner required then, and then home on Sunday! So soon!

ICOPA XII - Day 3 - Caira, Cribb, Mariaux and Littlewood all in one day!

The morning started off with an entertaining and inspiring talk given by Dr. Janine Caira on the Global Parasite Diversity programs that are ongoing and being funded by several organizations, NSF, PEET and BS&I. The project is world wide and is basically a large scale effort of recording the world's parasite diversity. It is very interesting, and I wouldn't mind getting involved in a project like that at all :) More thoughts for Ph.D. research run through my brain.

The day continued to be filled with talks by my personal set of gurus, Dr. Tom Cribb, Dr. Jean Mariaux and Dr. Tim Littlewood. I filled my notebook with notes and comments as I listened intently to ever word they had to say. All were fabulous speakers, which just raises them on an even higher platform in my mind.

The afternoon session was devoted to an ASP meeting, so I headed back to the hotel where I met up with Tanya and we walked over to have dinner at Movita's - a little Spanish restaurant that in itself deserves it's own blog...we are off to the zoo today...needed a break from the sessions and then the banquet tonight! More later!

A Riverside Day

My plan yesterday was to do a boat Cruise on the Yarra river, a bit of a walk, drop off our jackets to be pressed for Thursday dinner and then head up and do the Melbourne Museum.
Well, the boat cruise happened as planned. I headed out and dropped off our jackets at the cleaners on Collins. The gentleman had no idea what to do about me not having a phone number to reference the work to. Upset, he told me the price and told me to come back in the afternoon. I happily head out on my way.
I walked down to the Yarra and then crossed over around Williams Street, on a pedestrian bridge that was the dream of Mr. Something. The bridge has glass panels that display the research results from the 2001 Census, where they asked about people's ancestry. The statistics are displayed and complimented by huge metal art statues depicting different settler cycles.
The boat cruise is a complete waste of good time, and I would not recommend it to anyone. The most interesting part of the trip was discovering that the harbour, which is 14 meters deep, was supposed to have been dug by hand. Now there's a make-work project if ever there was one!
Exiting the boat cruise on the north shore, I head up to poke around Flinder's Station, the rail station that evidently seeing 250,000 passengers per day. It is a lovely building on the outside, a bit dull on the inside. Evidently the plans for it as well as the Bombay Train Station were drawn at the same time, there was some confusion and Melbourne got the one planned for Bombay. When I see Bombay's, I'll let you know if I believe this little bit of lore.

Across the street from Flinder's Station was St. Paul's cathedral, where I discovered that if I never hear organ music again, I will die a happy girl. There was an organ recital and the organist was the previous head of the Canadian Society for Organists, and he was playing a piece of music composed by the previous head of the Canadian Society for Organists. I thought, 'Cool!' and sat down. Wow. It was terrible. I left thankful I was at the back and did not have any Canadian Flag pasted to my backpack!

I wondered down Flinder's considering lunch. A glass of wine, maybe a salad? Across the street is a street corner with two street side open store windows - Lord of the Fries and Walker's Donuts. I just had to try, so a deep fried lunch I had! Both fries with Belgian Mayo and the raspberry filled donut were deep fried goodness. Definitely having salad for dinner!

I decide to head into the Immigration Museum, it is on the way back to the bus I would catch to the Melbourne Museum, and I was not expecting it to be that extensive. I was quickly lost in a history lesson never to be forgotten. I spent hours walking through and reading the displays. Until 1968, there existed a White Australia policy. I read and learned about how the British took over a land previously inhabited by Indigenous (so very familiar to my own history). It made me sad and angry to read about my forefather's stupidity. There was a fascinating display about the Muslim men who came to be camel handlers, most on three year closed visas, which meant that most returned home after their three years were done, but some stayed, married and had families here.

I walked home very appreciative of the life we live today. I would highly recommend the Immigration Museum. Even as a white girl.