week twelve | mornington peninsula hot springs, victoria

After a very long week in which everything was due and I got disgustingly sick, the decision was made that Sonia and I should spend some healing hours at the Mornington Hot Springs. Now, I had never been before but had heard that it was a seriously wonderful place to visit from a number of people, so when the alarm went off at 6am Saturday morning I had no issues getting right out of bed. I was looking forward to the warm baths and to have a small escape from the city.

The reason we set off so early was the catch the early bird price, one of the only downsides to the experience is how much it all costs! However I can safely say that was all forgotten the moment I sunk into our first hot pool.

The hot springs is made up of a number of hot pools ranging in temperature from deliciously warm to boiling hot, as well as a couple of different steam rooms and a reflexology walk, all built up the hill and surrounded by tranquil gardens and ponds. According to all the posters, the hot water temperatures are all from natural springs; I have my doubts (mainly due to the temperature control boxes near each pool) but frankly don’t care. It was just lovely, and if you can get past the idea that you’re essentially taking a bath at sunrise with a bunch of strangers the whole thing is rather poetic - and sure cleared away my cold.

I would highly encourage anyone to visit, but also to just take more baths in general. Plus, if you have one at home you get to have wine and a watch a couple of episodes of Orange is the New Black.

TRIP RATING: 3/5 BATH TIMES

week eleven | camberwell, oakeigh, and balaclava, victoria

The first of August marked the beginning of my friend Jess’s great Viennese adventure. Although I may never forgive her for abandoning me for the wonders of Europe we did get to spend her last few days down under exploring some unique parts of our city, ticking off some ‘must do before I leave’ things.

First was our market stall at the Camberwell Markets.  We picked possibly the coldest Sunday morning to hang out with the gals and sell our pre loved clothes to savvy market shoppers. Coffees were drunk, the sun shone and we all bonded over numb feet. It was fun, and I would do it in again in a heartbeat (in a potentially warmer part of the year.)

From the markets we decided to start up the lunch club and headed over to Oakleigh for some outstanding Greek food. I’ve never been to this part of town before but will definitely be going back. The walking streets were lined with cafés and restaurants filled with families enjoying the sunshine. Go quickly, share the Greek food with good friends and make an afternoon of it.

After our happy weekend the mood became sadder because a couple of days later Jess’s goodbye drinks saw up all exploring her old neck of the woods, Balaclava. Balaclava is a very cool part of Melbourne, full of good bars, perfect froyo stalls and fun little shops. It’s also home to Melbourne’s largest orthodox Jewish community, which means there are many kosher restaurants and delis. Fun history fact (in Jess’ honor)– Balaclava was named after the Battle of Balaclava, which took place during the Crimea War. Its streets are also named after other big players of the war, e.g Malakoff Street named after the Battle of Malakoff and Raglan Street named after Lord Raglan. I’m really going to miss Jess a lot, and while I hope she has a wonderful time over there I hope she’ll be back before I know it so we can get coffee, eat froyo late at night and read many a historical information board in public places again soon. Love ya babe, and bon voyage!

4/5 EUROPEAN LEGAL CASE STUDIES 

week ten | oaktree state retreat, ballarat, victoria

This past weekend I had the absolute pleasure of attending a few sessions of the Oaktree Victorian State Retreat in Ballarat. I’ve worked with Oaktree since last year and while I was sitting at the scout campground eating a veggie wrap surrounded by some of the most impressive young people on earth, I couldn’t help but look back and remember the countless other perfect moments (and veggie wraps) that Oaktree has given me over the last 18 months.

Oaktree is young people leading the movement to end poverty. I first became involved with the Oaktree Foundation during the 2013 Roadtrip to End Poverty and I haven’t looked back. I am very lucky to have worked with the Victorian branch first as the Universities officer and then on the Live Below the Line campaign, something that made me equal parts scared, stressed, excited and supremely proud each and every day.

But more then the work we do, it’s the people that I have met. They have made life richer and far more interesting. They are smart, passionate, silly, wise, nerdy and just perfect. They make me want to think bigger, work harder, be smarter and to believe in myself, even during moments where I feel like I'm drowning.  As I start my new job (still with Oaktree, just in a very different team) I’ll forever be grateful for my time on the state team and thrilled that work has given me some of my very best friends who I plan on annoying, cuddling and having a drink or three with for many years to come.

TRIP (JOURNEY) RATING: 5/5 SILLY AND SLEEPY CAMPAIGNERS 

week nine | canberra, australian capital territory

For those of you who don’t know, Canberra was my home in Australia for a very long time, and it still is the place I head to for home cooked meals, chats with my grandpa and hikes with my puppy. I have a massive soft spot for my quiet little birthplace and really love playing tour guide, showing visitors the wide range of Canberra delights.

This winter I was able to share some family time with my South African friend. She embraced Canberra with delight and enthusiasm (as every smart person should). I made sure we were all rugged up and ready to take part in some good clean nerdy Canberra fun.   

Our first adventure took us to the War Memorial – a place that might not tick the ‘fun’ card but is definitely worth a visit. It is a very moving place. We just walked the corridors of the Roll of Honour and into the Hall of Memory. It was enough just to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. From the War Memorial we looked down Anzac Parade across to Parliament House.

It was a cold, grey day, the wind was chilly and so we decided to get warm over a cozy lunch at one of the best museum in Canberra. The National Portrait Gallery is one of our newest public buildings surrounded by other institutions such as the High Court and the National Gallery. It houses portraits of Australians who have and who continue to shape our nation. My favorite portrait is of Mary, Crown princess of Denmark. I love how the painter Jaiwei Shen has captured her past, her present and her future.

If art’s not your thing then you can still enjoy the café and the fantastic gallery shop.  This shop has sat at the top of many of my birthday and Christmas wish lists as simply ‘anything from the Portrait Gallery Shop’.

Now once you have visited the War Memorial and the National Portrait Gallery there is just one more natural institution you have to visit. The National Arboretum. Now many of you may not have heard  of the Arboretum  -  it’s very new. But I also have to just accept that maybe some of you just don’t find trees as exciting as I do. Needless to say the Arboretum is definitely on my list of greatest places on earth. I just adore it. I think it’s the loveliest place to visit, to walk around the young trees, take in the view, take some cute pictures and just be seriously over excited. Pick a sunny day, pack a picnic lunch or stop for coffee or lunch at the café. You’ll love the view.

Driving around Canberra is easy. It’s one of the perks of being a small city. We drove around looking at the embassies and high commissions, past Parliament House – the new one and the old one, and past all the other places of interest.

Canberra is highly underrated. I hope that next time you get a chance you make your trip a little longer and take the opportunity to explore our nation’s capital. And you could probably pop in and see mama and papa De Vere who enjoy nothing more then cooking too much food for my friends and sharing embarrassing stories from my childhood. 

TRIP RATING: 5/5 GRUMPY BACK BENCH SENATORS