Melbourne 2014: Great Ocean Road

When the husband and I decided to bring the family to Melbourne, we decided that a Great Ocean Road (GOR) road trip was a must. The only problem was that the GOR lay on the west of Melbourne, and everything else we wanted to visit lay on the east. We were fortunate in that we had time, so we were able to fit in a couple of days of driving. And it was well worth it.

Our itinerary for the GOR wasn't intentionally child-friendly, like most of the rest of our holiday was. Instead, this portion of the holiday was for us -- it was us bringing the kids along to see what we wanted to see. So we skipped the farms and what we got were scenic sights as we did a short trek to a waterfall, a lighthouse visit, and visited some awe-inspiring rocks. Not what we usually do with kids in tow but I dare they they enjoyed it. The best part for me was road tripping with my husband next to me as I scrolled through his devices for music that we could all sing or bop along to as we drove. THAT was just like old times. Some of our best holidays were enjoyed on the road when we have the luxury to chat and it was good recapturing some of that on this trip.

Road tripping with my sweetie!

Someone wants is ready to take over the wheel -- I think not, little lady!

It's my turn on petite travellers and I've shared more details about our GOR road trip there, so do hop over to read it if you haven't! Here's the link: Great Ocean Road: A Piece of Victorias Natural Beauty.

In the meantime, here are some more pictures to share.

Erskine Falls.

Obligatory family shot to prove that we made it there!

This way to Teddy's Lookout.

Endless sea on the left of the lookout.

We tried going up the road towards Kennett River to see wild koalas but we encountered were sweet little wild wallabies instead.

Beautiful and serene Cape Otway Lightstation

Some of the treacherous rocks off Cape Otway.

Mei shows me how to work it!

The Twelve Apostles (some of them at least!)

My kiddy models, looking like angels.

All in all, a fun road trip. I hope it will not be another 26 years before I visit the GOR again!

Melbourne Escape

I think I left my blogging mojo in Melbourne.

We arrived back in Singapore about a week and a bit ago and since then, I've been struggling to get back into our regular routines. Perhaps it is because our holiday was too good. Because it was.

It was the first holiday in a long time where it was just us four, 24/7. It was also the first time we've travelled without a stroller, and the first time that we didn't need to consciously factor in naps. It felt almost like the holidays that the husband and I used to take in our more carefree days, pre-kids. Almost, I say, since we are still a long way from not having to hunt down a toilet every hour or so (or when ever it is MOST inconvenient like, say, after trekking down a very long steep flight of stairs to the bottom of a waterfall), but it was close enough.

Together we explored new places and did things together that we don't always have the opportunity to do, with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Before we departed Singapore, I made the conscious effort to turn off most notifications on my phone because I wanted to give the here and now my full attention, and it turned out to be one of my better decisions. With less distractions, I was better able to concentrate on taking a break and being with my family. Of course, one of the first things I did do was to head out to get a local SIM card -- I wasn't planning on surviving without internet altogether! Plus I had a couple of friends to meet and we needed GPS. But I stopped checking my phone all the time, and it was freeing in a way I didn't expect. I think I need to do that a bit more on a regular basis. 

More time together inevitably means that it wasn't smiles all the time. Unfortunately being out of the country doesn't mean that tantrums get left behind! It was challenging at times to deal with the kids (and sometimes the husband, heh) but I think having the husband present with me the whole time meant that we were better able to address all issues which arose together and quickly. I think we've grown as a family as a result.

After having such a great time, maybe it's no wonder that I took ages to adjust back to normal life. Which was a whole lot more hectic with homework to catch up on, and Noey's birthday party to pull together at short notice.

I hope to be updating on my Melbourne holiday both here and on petite travellers. But here is an outline of my itinerary for those of you who have been asking:

Melbourne Itinerary

Days 1 - 3: Melbourne -- City, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, Collingwood Children's Farm, St Kilda's including Luna Park

Days 4 - 5: Great Ocean Road -- Erksine Falls + Teddy's Lookout at Lorne, Apollo Bay, Cape Otway Lightstation, Twelve Apostles

Days 6 - 8: Yarra Valley -- Weeribee Plaza/Weeribee Safari Park, Healesville Sanctuary, Wineries, Puffing Billy

Days 9 - 10: Phillip Island -- Caldermeade Farm Cafe, Penguin Parade, Churchill Heritage Farm

Days 11 - 13: Melbourne -- Eureka Skydeck, Shopping, Lygon Street

More pictures and stories on my Instagram account (@mummybean). Check out #mummybeaninmelbourne!

Anyone else feel like they need a holiday right now?