Geelong: The City By The Bay

Geelong: The City By The Bay

** Late posting

Written before pandemic days...

This is the City of Geelong, the last leg of our 5-in-1 tour of South West Victoria. 

It is the 2nd largest city in the state of Victoria and an hour-drive from Melbourne.

 It used to be home to Ford Motors and Shell Oil Refinery. 

With a stunning view of Corio Bay, the iconic Cunningham Pier, the attractive sculptures spread out near the waterfront and the exciting rides at Adventure Park, you certainly will fall in love with the place. And keep coming back.

- Konted

A magnificent view as you enter the city proper from the highway.

Cunningham Pier was once a very busy port.

The popular historic steamship SS Edina used to berth at Cunningham Pier.

The SS Edina plied the Melbourne-Geelong-Port Arlington route. (South West Victoria Museum)

The numerous sculptures near the waterfront tell the historical background of Geelong.

At the Waterfront in Geelong

At the Waterfront in Geelong

Vintage cars are a common sight in Geelong as vintage car shows are regularly held there.

Vintage Ford

Vintage Ford

Lady makes the V sign as a BMW makes its exit near Cunningham Pier.

Vintage Thunderbird

Vintage Thunderbird

Vintage Thunderbird

Seaplane flights available at Geelong.

There is usually a long line at the Ferris Wheel ride at Adventure Park in Geelong.

Wave Swinger at Adventure Park in Geelong

                                                                                   

Wave Swinger at Adventure Park in Geelong

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Canberra On My Mind

Canberra On My Mind

** Late posting

Written in January 2020, before pandemic days...

A part of Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra is the  capital city of Australia. It is more than 660 kilometers away from Melbourne via the Hume Highway.  Canberra is closer to Sydney with a distance of 247 kms. 

The name 'Canberra' was taken from the indigenous word 'Nganbra' which means 'woman's breast' as it lies between two mountains.

Canberra is referred to as the seat of power as the Parliament House is located there. The Parliament House, a major tourist attraction, was built at a staggering cost of A$ 1.1 billion.

Embassies of other countries, including the Philippines, can be found there.

Another attraction is the Australian War Memorial built to commemorate the sacrifices of Australians who fought and died in war.

Canberra is a must place to visit.

- Konted

The massive Australian War Memorial in Canberra

From the Australian War Memorial, you get a commanding view of Canberra's main avenue and the Parliament House at the opposite end.

The Australian War Memorial is a top tourist destination in Canberra.

Souvenir shot at the Australian War Memorial

Souvenir shot of mother and son at the Australian War Memorial

Lest we forget:   Remembering those who died in war

The phrase ':Lest we forget' was taken from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Recessional'.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Simpson And His Donkey sculpture. With his donkey, John Simpson Kirkpatrick rescued about 300 wounded soldiers in a battlefield at Gallipoli in Turkey. He did this in a span of three weeks. Unfortunately, Simpson was killed by machine gun-fire. He became a legend.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Parliament House in Canberra. Sitting on a 32 hectare-government property, the Parliament House was inaugurated some years back with no less than Queen Elizabeth of England as principal guest of honor.

At the Parliament House in Canberra

At the Parliament House in Canberra

Chamber of the House of Representatives

Chamber of the Senate

At the Parliament House in Canberra

Philippine Embassy in Canberra

Philippine Embassy in Canberra

Traversing the Hume Highway on our way back to Melbourne.

It looks like it's foggy at the Hume Highway but it's actually smoke or haze coming from the bush fires threatening to engulf Sydney.

The Small Town of Lal Lal in Victoria

The Small Town of Lal Lal in Victoria

** Late posting

Written in January 2020, before pandemic days...

About 108 kilometers from Melbourne is the small town of Lal Lal. It is a laid-back town that takes you back in time, to the days, as Streisand would sing, "when life was slow, and oh, so mellow."

What is there to see at Lal Lal? At the junction where two country roads meet is a cluster of improvised mail boxes, waiting for the mailman.

After the bend and right after the old railroad crossing are wind turbines standing side by side with bales of hay. The soft swishing sound created by the wind turbines can be heard.

And at the town reserve, you feel the gentle wind as you take a look at an ancient gorge with steep rocky walls.

Then you suddenly remember that you have to rush back to the city to fetch the kids in school. See u again, Lal Lal.

Konted

Roadside mailboxes at Lal Lal readily accessible to the mail carrier

No flyers, pls.

Country living at its best

You won't get lost as there are clear road signs.

Watch out for horses and riders

Strictly enforced during the summer months of December, January and February

Wind turbines as seen from the main road

The old railway that connects Lal Lal to the City of Ballarat

Wind turbines in a countryside setting. 

Wind turbines generate electricity.

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal. New technology is certainly making its presence felt in Lal Lal. The wind turbines can be seen from the nearby towns.

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Farm animals don't seem to mind the wind turbines.

Getting ready for the races

Town reserve

A clear view of the gorge at Lal Lal