*** Arrival at Melbourne ***

Yes! Glorious melbie sunshine greeted us as we ambled out of the erm.. carpark-cum-makeshift baggage conveyance belt area. Always thought terminal's gotta mean at least some semblance of a building even if it's a budget one, but guess I'm too literal. While they are at this open concept thingee, may as well do away with the fence and allow folks to drive right up and load it on - now that'd be truly fuss-free!

                  ~ London Bridge

*** Simon's Place ***

Anyhow here we were, with teacher's     in tow

Eventually we did make it out - of the carpark that is after some hiccup involving an un-turned-on carpark ticket machine - in simon's comfy rented bus, yes all ready to.. doze off. Ride took some 2 hours, and jet lag finally hit, zzz...

Didn't realize the place is so ulu - I mean far-flung with nary any public transport - hm, that makes visiting my frens in melbie a bit tricky..

Going with a group, me tends to get lazy and don't do any reading up, but that means I get pleasant surprises. And wow, the peninsula certainly looked promising - bay on one side, ocean on the other..

                   

And we were staying at a place called Dromana in a lovely house full of erm.. "gu dong".. simon calls them "vintage". The qualifying factor is it must be old, 2nd and 3rd it must also be old. If it actually works, he says it's a bonus! Luckily the kitchen was very well-stocked
and everything was a bonus ;p

                                

So sets the tone for our leisurely trip in retirees' land.. no kidding, the s'pore govt should send s'poreans here if they want to convince us that we'd live LIFElong-long (while they keep our money also long-long) and that life really begins at 75, or is it 80? Seriously, we really envy the folks here, enjoying a fruitful and very active lifestyle in their retirement years on a dream coast. The artists, and folks in general, we meet are all so energetic, certainly more so than muah with aches all over in my 30s and not sure if I can survive beyond 60, and I definitely won't be able to ride a harley davidson all the way from here to perth like simon's
80-year-old neighbour did!

        ~ Heronswood Gardens    

*** Zee Mornington Peninsula ***

I'd let the photos (and paintings :) do the talking here. Man, it's very hard work leh. Especially when the imagined romantic picture of us painting very coolly with nice autumn breeze blowing didn't quite materialize.. freak heat wave struck and by the last 2 days, it felt like hot hot s'pore except it's hotter, upto 40deg here! Even the mozzies made an appearance, not to mention flies.. oops cannot yawn in case they fly in.. swat!

Well, proud to say we survived all these challenges and managed to be quite productive (see everybody's works and official trip account), that is without swallowing any of the winged wildlife..

*** The Real Highlights ;p ***

It's not all work la, we did find time to visit galleries, flea markets and simon's fave op-shops aka charity antique shops, meet local artists including the amazing peninsula arts society,

                                               

not to mention have leisurely afternoon tea in a monet-like place called boathouse,

                                              

picking fruits from simon's garden, playing with the baby on the trip :) :) :)

                         

and ya, staring at simon's ancient gramophone going round and round every night while having long discourses on art, photography and really almost everything under the er.. moon :)

                   

And for the record, I did manage to get on the not-too-frequent bus and trained to town to visit a good fren karen and her family staying just outside melbourne city. Got to enjoy a delicious sumptuous lunch courtesy of her visiting parents and spent a most lovely afternoon catching up :)

                   

Life is good, if only we didn't have to leave so soon, sigh..
budget carpark, I mean terminal, here we come.

© Ong Hwee Yen 2008 (except simon wong's photos)

! travels ! photography ! art journey ! guestbook !   * This webpage is listed on, inter alia: ChangingLINKS.com. do visit yen's art blog for works inspired by australasia         Comments Lau Thank you very much for sharing the website on your recent art trip to Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. Yes! I have learned that Mornington has revealed in more than lively seaside villages and quiet hinterland hamlets. While Mornington Peninsula has long been famous for its beachside holidays, their tempting eateries and gourmet stores, galleries rich with local art and fine vineyards are wellknown throughout Australia. Ah! I have seen a number of your paintings and I must say that you are a good painter. Well, I am thinking of visiting this place when I visit my old friend who is residing at Sydney at the end of this year. Cheers See Woon Nice website. Better if the pics are larger. Viewing your pics brought back memories of my days in Australia. Other australia stories: foto memoirs ~ cairns & its surroundings.