Are you ready for some footy?

 

Along with losing a day on the way over here, I’m also going to be leaving a year older. And it’s unclear if I get my day back. What a trip.

Melbourne is home to one of the largest IMAX screens in the world, we had to see it. Melbourne also has their version of Li’l Sebastian, Phar Lap. The Australian’s love for Phar Lap runs deep, and the lore is fascinating. On his first trip to race in America, it’s quite likely someone killed this beloved horse. After this unfortunate ending, the Jonas Brothers (no joke) stuffed him and he’s also on display at the same museum.

Then there’s Australian football. We watched an intro to this wild sport so we weren’t completely in the dark. It only helped a bit, but the fans’ enthusiasm really made up for our complete confusion. It’s hard to describe this sport of grown men without pads running around and tackling each other while kicking and bumping the ball to each other. It really seems like a game that middle school boys play on the dirt playground somehow went pro. North Melbourne won by kicking through the middle poles more than Richmond. Kanga, kanga, kanga! Roo, roo, roo!

Phar Lap, a really big Sebastian

Jonas Brothers hard at work

Turns out this is going to be a goal worth 6 points 

So far, beer makes sense to me all around the world

Get it on, Wollongong, get it on

 

Having seen all the major sites Sidney, we day tripped to Wollongong. It has one of the largest Buddhist temples in the southern hemisphere. It’s home to one of our favorite characters on Love on the Spectrum. Why not? Maybe because it’s a two hour train ride each way. And maybe because it’s not that great.

We followed it up with a nearly 12 hour day by train to Melbourne. Neither of these things are recommended but, like all choices we make on this trip, were interesting adventures. The best part was an overly excited man who enthusiastically told us about the train bathroom situation. “Go back there for the spacious toilet. You don’t want this one, it’s too cramped. I call it the ‘cramped toilet.’ And make sure you lock it, because if you don’t, anyone can walk in…and no one wants that in their brain! If I see a door, I’m opening it unless it’s locked! So be sure to lock the door.” He also told everyone else in the train car this very important information. And he used his outside voice.

Well this is an interesting way to greet us, Wollongong

I’m afraid this is what happens with too many Tim Tams

This is what a Pagoda looks like in Australia

Monk on a walk

Oh, hello Melbourne