Travel Stories | Expat Life
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
The morning after we observed the penguin parade, Mike and I headed back over that way to another of Phillip Island’s popular spots, The Nobbies. From a series of boardwalks set amid sea bird nesting grounds, visitors are able to view the sea from a variety of different vantage points.
Throughout our travels around Australia I’ve enjoyed observing the wide variety of shorelines and seascapes. It’s interesting to notice how the color of the water changes as you move down the coast. The deep blue and light turquoise of the water around The Nobbies was particularly gorgeous.
A kilometer and a half offshore from The Nobbies is Seal Rocks, Australia’s largest fur seal colony breeding ground. It’s too far to see with the naked eye, but if you’re willing to pay $5 for a few minutes with digital binoculars, you might glimpse a seal or two. Don’t worry though because even if you don’t see a seal (we didn’t), you can still learn all about them from the educational displays located inside.
xo, jill
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!
Today’s big thing, The Big Prawn, narrowly escaped destruction. In 2009 the Ballina Shire Council voted to demolish the prawn that had been a fixture of the West Ballina transit center and restaurant for 20 years. The community did not appreciate their pragmatism. Luckily, Bunnings Warehouse* heard the cries of the community and stepped in to save the day. Last year the prawn was moved to its new home at a future Bunnings Warehouse construction site. Of course, when we visited the prawn we didn’t know the history. We just thought it was an old, faded, and forgotten big thing living amongst a lot of litter and construction.
Big Thing: The Big Prawn
Location: Ballina, NSW
Rating: 
Glad to know he’s actually just gearing up for his comeback.
xo, jill
*A hero to Mike and me as well. That’s where we bought our beloved jumper cables that have gotten us out of several jams. It’s like Home Depot.
