Merry Christmas from Melbourne

Far from snowy Toronto where families spent the holiday's sipping on hot chocolate and bundled up in knits and wool, Christmas came to Melbourne and we celebrated in typical Aussie fashion: with beers on the beach in 38 degree heat.

For me, this Christmas included two firsts: my first away from home, and my first in a warm climate! As Melbourne enjoyed the hottest Christmas day in 18 years, my cool Canadian heart was required to trade in my boots for flip flops and my cozy sweaters in favour of a bikini. During the days and weeks leading up to the 25th there were times when I struggled to get into the holiday spirit. Without the chilly temps and festive snow, it felt like we were far away from the usual Christmas feeling. But, having my parents and brother here for a visit helped to get me into a more festive mood.

Christmas eve was spent with family and friends, playing board games, watching movies, and trading laughs over beers and spirits as we gathered together at a friend's apartment and cheered when midnight came. Although my parents had to fly out on Christmas day (and landed home on Christmas Day, too) I'm glad they got to experience the unique traditions associated with Christmas down under.

Christmas morning was for sleeping in, before sharing brunch and trading gifts among friends. My brother and his girlfriend Sara were still in Melbourne, which helped make the day feel more special. By the time 3 'o clock rolled around, we roused ourselves from our relaxing mimosa-induced slumber and headed to the beach!

St. Kilda Beach was overrun with travelers, backpackers, and families, who soaked up the sun in earnest and enjoyed each others collective company in the afternoon heat. It was too hot to suntan, so our group sat, swam and floated in the shallows with beer in hand until the sun finally set over Port Phillip Bay, ushering in a much needed relief from the heat.

Suntanned, salty, and covered in sunscreen (SPF 50 - don't worry Mom!) we all retreated home briefly to shower, before continuing our Christmas celebration at our favourite pub into the early hours of the morning.

In the end, Christmas came and went without a drop of snow or reindeer in sight. All in our group of travelers agreed that although we were happy to celebrate the holiday, the big day didn't quite feel the same. Having said that, it was without a doubt the most fun Christmas I've ever had, and I will look back fondly on this years celebration with a smile for many years to come.

The Christmas Eve late-night crew (aka a photo that had us in fits of giggles all night long)

Mom's homemade cinnamon rolls greeted us on Christmas morning!

Christmas morning feast

Everyone wore their Christmas crowns over brunch

Ready to picnic at the beach!

St. Kilda beach was the place to be on Christmas day

Cooling off in Port Phillip Bay

Christmas vibes

Peter giving Sara a taste

Conor taking Derek for a ride

Sunset over Port Phillip Bay

Drying off in the late afternoon sun

Group shot - cheers to Christmas 2016

Meet Me Where the Sky Touches the Sea

When I left Toronto on the first of August with a one-way ticket to Heathrow (and then onward to Singapore before finally, finally Melbourne) I was acutely aware of what I was leaving behind: a city I love, and the best friends and family a girl could ask for. Standing in terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport I hugged my parent’s goodbye, with vague notions (and hopes!) I would see them again soon.

I think anyone who knows my family would agree with me when I say that I didn’t get my travel gene from my Mom and Dad. I got a lot of awesome things from my parents: my love of reading, a passion for running, and a solid appreciation of Dave Matthews Band and The Tragically Hip… but the desire to see the world, that came from just me.

My Dad hates flying, and my Mom hates flying with my Dad, so back in August when we said goodbye, the dream of getting them to Australia felt like a long shot. We traded travel itineraries, airline reviews, and hotel recommendations back and forth over email so endlessly, it almost felt like planning the trip would eclipse the trip itself. But, after 24 hours of travel including stopovers in Vancouver and Auckland, my family touched down on Aussie soil last week. Where the sky touches the sea, we were reunited once again.

It’s been great having my Mom, Dad, my brother Peter, and his girlfriend Sara, in Melbourne these past ten days. I’ve enjoyed showing them all my favourite and frequent spots (Chapel Street, the Fifth Province on Fitzroy Street, South Wharf, etc.) and it’s been fun to watch them explore Melbourne on their own.

Last weekend we escaped the city in favour of the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of highway along the south-eastern coast of Australia that is deemed a national heritage site. The windy single lane highway that runs along the bottom lip of the continent gave-way to gorgeous coastal views, revealing some of the best beaches in the world.

Despite the windy weather, we enjoyed two days on the beach before I had to return to Melbourne for work on Monday. My family continued on to Barwon Heads, a golf resort just south of Geelong, where they took advantage of some much needed R+R after a busy few days in Melbourne.

We are all back in Melbourne now, and are trying to get into the Christmas spirit, with plans to cook and bake some holiday treats in the coming days.

Until then,

Heather

The family is all here! Overlooking the Yarra River in beautiful Melbourne

Our first meal together in Melbourne at Riverland pub

Mom and Albert Park Lake, with the Melbourne skyline in the background

With my cheering squad before my futsal game

Peter and I on the beach along the Great Ocean Road

Overlooking Apollo Bay

Mom and I after the hike to the lookout over Apollo Bay

In true Australian fashion, Peter decided to give surfing a try

Mom on the beach

Peter and Sara catching sun not waves

A little footy on the beach!

Just a beautiful view...

One of the nicest beaches I've ever been to

Summer in Melbourne: Beach sessions, a new brunch spot, and a night out in St. Kilda

You know that part in every romcom movie when the protagonist hits their stride and he or she begins to feel that things are finally going their way? Guy-scores-big-date-with-girl, or, girl-finally-lands-dream-job, or, unrequited-love-suddenly-seems-a-little-bit-more-requited. On the big screen this scene usually plays out in montage form, with a cheesy, uplifting soundtrack accompanying wide shots of cityscapes and big smiles from all.

Well, this blog update is my romcom moment.

As I dodged the crowds on my way from Southern Cross station this morning I untangled my ear buds and scrolled through Apple Music searching for a song I haven’t been able to get out of my head in two days:

Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations

Saturday evening, sun-soaked and a little tipsy from too many ciders on the beach, my friends and I collected in a cozy living room in Balaclava and were serenaded with this song by Liam and Alex. After much coaxing, the group cheered when the pair stood front and centre and preformed—dance moves included—The Foundations most famous hit. Liam and Alex danced and sang together for a few awkward verses, until the rest of us dissolved into a fit of giggles and, eventually, joined in, too. Technically, there is video evidence, but I’ll spare them (and you) the embarrassment of sharing it.

As I walked across the Yarra River on my way to work this morning with Build Me Up Buttercup playing on repeat, I thought back to Saturday night and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I feel incredibly lucky to have met such a wonderful and vibrant group of people out here: a circle of friends that continues to expand with each weekend brunch, afternoon beach outing and evening footy game in the park.

In my last update I vowed to take more photos, and I have done that, though still so many great moments went uncaptured: taco night with my flatmates on Monday; Amy’s second Halal snack pack after Iddy Biddy on Tuesday; our 2nd place finish at pub trivia on Wednesday night…

My life in Melbourne is so full, I feel as if to capture and catalog it all would mean constantly looking at the world through the lens of my iPhone.

Having said that, here are some of my favourite shots from the weekend, which included back-to-back beach sessions, a new brunch spot and a night out in St. Kilda. 

Starting the weekend off right with dinner at Treehouse

Saturday evening at Elwood beach

Three Canadian gals loving life in Australia!

Girls at at Freddie Whimpoles on Fitzroy Street Saturday night

Amy, Kent and Kristy: all smiles (and a little blurry!) 

Went to Las Chicas in Balaclava for Sunday brunch

Melbourne brunch is just so photogenic

Babes in bikinis Sunday afternoon at St. Kilda beach