The Ocean and Me

After landing in Melbourne, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. With a brief interruption for some Singapore-style stir-fried rice and an evening walk through St Kilda, I slept straight into the bright blue Sunday morning. Awake and refreshed, I picked up a white Toyota Aurion from Avis – it was time for the compulsory IKEA expedition. Since Ireland last autumn, I have felt a little more confident driving on the left, though the day was not without its share of “exciting moments”.

Back home again with a bed, a lamp, a red rug, and a set of large wine glasses, I decided to truly take the day off and drive south to explore the Mornington Peninsula. There, green hinterlands, vineyards, and dramatic beaches unfolded as I made my way down to the ocean coast and its national parks. Breathtaking to just stand in the wind and imagine the distant, icy shores of Antarctica.