Home for the Holidays

Although I love curling up by my parent's fireplace with a mug full of hot coco, this year I traded in my snowy white Christmas for a sunny warm Christmas! My parents came for a visit (4 day whirlwind of Seoul...more on that later!) and then we all boarded a plane down to Australia for my Christmas holiday. It has been 9 years since I've had the chance to spend winter down under. It was so great to spend time with my mum's family and catch up with cousins and extended cousins that I haven't seen in years. 

Part of me feels like a total tourist when I am there, but part of me also felt very much at home spending the holiday season in Oz. Some of my favorite places on the planet are in Australia and I have very strong emotional ties to the memories I have of spending time there while I was growing up. Who knows, maybe Australia is where I will end up settling down...if I ever settle down :)  Here are a few pieces of my trip!


Not in chronological order...

The reading room in the Victoria Library

I got to spend  a few days in the City with my cousin Mark - what a blast! I absolutely love Melbourne and it was so nice to spend time with my cousin! I stole his entire day off and we trekked around and around and around the city. The weather was beautiful, the people were fun, the food was awesome ( I even got some Mexican...ish food), and the city was everything I remember it being. 

What beautiful old buildings! {National Library}

Because everyone rides Rhinos in the city...right?

Sadly the clock was under repair, but the mall still has the same old charm. 

{Local Art}

One of my favorite views of the city with Flinder's Street Station and the skyline!

This is the view from a pub...that's right...a pub!

Flinder's Street Station - this makes me heart happy <3

Lunch with my cousin Skye - amazing lady and an awesome lunch spot in Little Collins

I spent my last day of vacation at St. Kilda beach [then returned to snow in Seoul - no fun!]

We started out the trip with spending time at my Aunt Jen and Uncle Brian's home in Bendigo. Its a great little town with some open spaces and loads of shopping!! I think I bought the country out of shoes...Asia just doesn't seem to cater to large footed foreigners ;) 

Mum & Dad on an evening walk

Walking around the lake - enjoying the view and feeling blessed!

This town is ADORABLE!

{All the food...spoiled, spoiled, spoiled}

Mango on my ice cream? Yes, please!!

Its a real place...

After a few days in Bendigo, it was time to go see Uncle John and Aunt Robyn...bonus...my cousin Mel was there, too!!! Bairnsdale is a great town and is close to my two favorite places - Lake's Entrance / 90 mile beach and Fairy Dell. These are where some of my strongest childhood memories came from and I always feel a bit at home here! 

Lollies isle at the supermarket {translation: CANDY!!}

Lakes Entrance view from the lookout point

90 mile Beach - My favorite place on Earth!

Aren't they the best! Thanks for teaching us what loving someone forever looks like!

POTATOES + Grease + Salt + Vinegar = Fat and happy!!

Gum tree is in full bloom!

What a set of siblings - they are the best!

Where's Matt? :(

Getting artsy with the old rails

TIM TAM TIME!!

Fairy Dell - Second favorite place on Earth!

Look what Mel spotted! Echidna! 

I want a baby wombat - end of story.

 Our last stop was Melbourne / Werribee to see Maureen! We got some shopping time in, a bit of sight seeing, and even a Safari adventure!

My navi skills were a bit rusty but we figured it all out! What did we ever do without smart phones?!?

Day at the market!

10 points for the word Brekky...

 It is always a blessing to get to see family at the holidays and it was so nice to be in Australia during my break for a change! Stay classy, Victoria...see you next year!