April 8th, 2006 - The Rip and it's curl classic.

Saturday, we planned to visit Wendy and Terry for what may be the last time, since the following weekend is Easter weekend and after that it's Tasmania, Uluru and then South East Asia. Although we're very excited to be on the move again, none of us can believe how quickly our time in Melbourne has shot past. Both Laure and I are very excited to go home and can't wait to see our family and friends. As always Wendy and Terry didn't dissappoint, although we signed on just for a days visit, they had fresh carrot cake waiting and decided to take us to the Rip and then down the unofficial beginning of the Geat Ocean Road as a preview for what's to come. The 'Rip' is the small entryway to Port Phillip through which all ships must pass to leave the harbor. It's amazing the transition between the stillness of the water on the sheltered side from the rough outer seas of the Bass straight. As an indication of scale there is only ~600m wide for the ships to pass and therefore they can only come in and out on the tide, furthermore from Melbourne to the rip on the water is roughly a few hours journey , not a small Bay! Queenscliff is an old vacationing town with old hotels and a Military base propped out on the cliff front guarding the Rip. Point Lonsdale is slighlty further around the Ocean side and ironically is the sight of one of Stockland's estates. Then it was over to Barowyn Heads which stand at the entry to the Barowyn river that passes through Geelong. After a quick stop off in Grovesdale for Tea back at their home, Terry took us down to Torquay and Bells Beach. Both of which are stunning. Torquay with its surf shops and all of the popular outfitters and Bells beach which was being set up for the Rip Curl Classic a surfing event that is going on this weekend. We saw all of the grand stands perched up on the side of the hill in preparation for the big day. Then it was home for a fantastic lamb roast, topped off with lemon marange pie before we said our goodbyes and headed home on the train.
Sunday we spent the morning at the market stocking up before trying to plan the upcoming weeks with our roommates at an internet cafe. Regrettably, the prices were all much steeper than any other occasion and we had to slightly re-arrange our plans to compensate for the expenses. Finally, we got everything sorted for a trip down the great Ocean Road this long Easter weekend. The following weekend we're off to Tasmania and as I desperately await the delivery of my credit card, I still haven't booked my rental cars for the next legs of my trip!!