The Wedding

Arrived at Bundeena a picturesque village in the National Park complete with its own beach , blue sea with undulating terrain and surrounded by Australian flora and fauna was a short respite. We were soon back in the city to the hotel in Camperdown, The Rydges. Only a 10 minute journey to the church The Hunter Baille Memorial , Presbyterian Church. The bride as is customary came late in a beautiful white Hammer. The brides father was stately in his black tuxedo and the mother gorgeous in a red gown. The bride as usual was beautiful in her white with the bridesmaids all in yellow. The ceremony was simple and meaningful and the beatitudes were superb. The last of the 7 was " Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out their problems without the interference of relatives' was very well received by the young and the old.

Then it was the church grounds for the photo shoots followed by dinner at La Montage, an imposing building with a waterfront. The meal was lovely and the speeches were short and meaningful. The dancing was exhilarating. The Greeks did their traditional dance but there was no breaking of plates.

Melbourne to Sydney

Got prepared for nine hours of travelling. Luckily we drive on the same side of the road. The countryside we went through was dry and parched. There were pockets of green here and there. Lakes Entrance had a beautiful view of the sea and the stopover at MacDonalds for a meal was much appreciated. From there it was straight to Batemans Bay. Once we entered New South Wales the green lush meadows came into sight. Some farms had a wreath with the cross and words like so and so died here. That was something I hadnt seen anywhere else. Batemans Bay was a lovely little place and our rooms overlooked a pond and the grounds had peacocks strutting. The highlight of the stay was the shock and horror on our faces when my husband threw the room key from the ground to the first floor and the key landed on the roof. Fortunately for us it landed in the gutter on the roof and was soon retrived by our tall friend who had to sit on the railings on the balcony held on to by his fearful wife. The other experience was being breathalysed on the way back from dinner. When asked have you taken any drinks my husband replies only Chinese Tea!

The Australian Experience continued

Walk along the banks of the Yarra River with the warm sunshine on your back and a cool breeze on your face on a sunny autumn morn. The smell of barbecue assails your nostrils as a farewell party is on. The river cruise chugs along and you are the spectator and are spectated as well. the Botanical Gardens are just across the road. One could spend the whole day there being refreshed by the energy so abundant. The trees planted by Queen Mary and Prince Albert are tall and majestic and the Governors Residence looks impressive.
Federation Square was bustling but there seem to hang a sense of a relaxed afternoon and from there The Art centre looked a unique structure.
One does not feel homesick for food here in Melbourne. The dim sum tasted great with more fillings than what we get at home especially in Boxhill.
Philips Island is a must visit place and the sunset on the way wac truly magnificant. Seeing the little penguins at close hand is an experience. unfortunately we saw more people than penguins that night
We had to say bye to Melbourne with a promise to come back

The Australian Experience

The Wiliam Rickets Sanctuary

Weddings are special occasions more so if it is held overseas and has a mixture of Malaysian Indian , Irish Australian and Greek Australian. Add in the flavour of a journey from Melbourne to Sydney by the coastal route prior to the celebrations was the spice that made it extremly palatable.

Melbourne eventhough cold was dry and brown , was just recovering from the terrible fires that took so many lives. There were stories of friends driving from melbourne to the village to help and perishing . The heat wave could be felt by friends in Boxhill.

Going up Dandenongs gave us a lovely view of Melbourne . The William Rickets Santuary was deeply moving. The sculptures were vivid in details and perfectly mounted on the trees giving them a life of their own. The theme of oneness of all life forms is truly brought to being. The experience is humbling to realise that William Rickets identified with and understood the indegenous people is to stop and look at the prejudice that one carries around.