Traveling around the world for over nine months has made me discover that I’m more of a small town girl rather than a lover of big cities. Yet visiting the city of Melbourne in Australia has turned that idea upside down. With a population of over 4 million people, it’s no small town, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming as some big cities do. The downtown was a pleasant surprise, full of creative architecture and great city planning. Melbourne was made the way a city should be made and was a joy to walk around. My host and friend Janel took me around the area by tram and foot to show me this gorgeous city and patiently waited as I snapped away with my camera around every turn.

Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne

Art is infused everywhere from the bridges to buildings and everything in between. We explored lanes brimming with street art and sipped tea under amazing architecture. One day, we were fortunate to visit the National Gallery of Victoria and saw the Andy Warhol & Ai Weiwei exhibit. Ai Weiwei is an artist I admire after watching his documentary a few years ago, so it was really inspiring to see his thought provoking work in person.

Australia-1293-1 Melbourne Melbourne Australia-1431-1

The best part about my stay in Melbourne were my hosts. Janel and Ben made me feel so welcome and I felt like part of the family in their home. Their three-year-old son made me laugh and the fact that he called me “Berry” made him all the cuter. We each delighted in our time with kangaroos at a wildlife park on Phillip Island. He hopped along while my heart melted at the gentleness of the roos and wallabies that came up to be fed.

Australia-1472-1-2 Australia-1505-1-2

My stay in Melbourne was full of ease and I could relax for a change and let others take the lead. I loved my stay there and have to thank my hosts again for making me feel at home in this colorful and creative city. Thanks Janel, Ben and Ethan!

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
Anaïs Nin

Australia-1354-1 Australia-1425 copyMelbourne Australia-1276-1-2 Australia-1274web Australia-1513-1-2 Australia-1532-1-2 Australia-1541-1-2 Australia-1492-1-2 Australia-1281webMelbourne Australia-1296web