New Years 2016, Australia

Coming back from a weekend away in Daylesford, Spa Country in Victoria; we realised that the Australian travel stories were backlogged and the Oceania tab on the CultureStamps website was seriously neglected. So as 'resident tourists', we have a duty to our homeland to promote the best bits and scenic sights sought out on weekend getaways. And the New Year's holiday period of 2016 provided an excuse for a holiday - even though we had been in Melbourne for just 10 days. An opportunity arose when our friends Basti and Neelu came to visit and we headed west to the Barossa winery region and began our adoration for Adelaide. 

Melbourne, Trip Back Home

In February our travels took us back to a very familiar place - Melbourne. Home.
We booked this trip for a number of reasons: To see family and friends for the first time in almost two years. The trip was timed to coincide with a 60th birthday party, Chinese New Year - our first time as a married couple (we would be handing out the red packets instead of being the recipient); and the need for Olie to renew his UK work visa.
It was also an opportunity to see sunshine at the start of the year. London was experiencing single digit temperatures. Whereas Melbourne had a streak of multiple days over 30+ degrees.

Packing up and Leaving Melbourne

Packing timeframe initial estimate: 1-2 weeks

Packing actual timeframe: Over 1 month. Not as bad as our estimation for a DIY picket fence project.

When the day arrives to leave home for a new adventure - butterflies start appearing in your stomach.

But at least we were taking this big step together, as a team. And no matter what happened we would always have the support of our family and friends.