Fruit flies and La-Z-boys

Wacky

As our spacious Quantas flight touched down in the outskirts of Melbourne, our entry point into the World's smallest continent, we instantly realised how geographically removed we were.

Security at the airport was fierce only in that friendly, red-in-the-face, Australian way. Unlike the paranoid Western customs we're used to, the focus of these guys is to protect the environment. While signs informed us that the delicate ecosystem could easily be screwed up by a single uninvited insect, a number of stern, chubby officials x-rayed our bags for perishables, bugs and miniscule agricultural pests. We even had to declare our Wurther's Originals. These guys take no chances.

And so we learnt that Melbourne airport is a place equally concerned about fighting fruit flies as it is about fighting international terrorism. The sniffer dogs are trained for bananas rather than bombs. Once we'd stepped outside the terminal we understood why.

Bright white sunshine, stunning vegetation, and massive blue skies. Absolutely gorgeous. This remote land is the famous home of the Koala, Kangaroo, Dingo, Platypus, Wallabee, Wombat and Kookaburra. If there had ever existed an animal called the Wongadonga it would definitely have been from here.


Melbourne

This place is so full of endearingly named, cuddly wildlife and lush evergreen plants that the United Nations has listed it as one of the World's 18 'Megadiverse countries' - areas that between them carry the majority of the Earth's biodiversity. Quite an accolade for a country that is mostly desert.

Still, for all its wackiness, Australia is strangely familiar. Left side traffic, pebble dash facades and hard working faces. It doesn't take long before you realize that Australia is Britain. Only bigger and better. Wider streets, less drizzle and plumbing that actually makes sense. No wonder there are so many British immigrants.


Luna park

Despite distinct multiculturalism in the big cities, with every bus and tram representing Croatians, Greeks, Italians and Chinese, the Australian stereotypes are eerily accurate. The shaggy haired surf bum, the mullet-sporting pick-up truck driver, and the worn, wrinkly sheep farmer - we have met them all. Yet it's not crowded. With more than 8 million square kilometers of land, there are only 5 countries that are less densely populated.

For a few days we stayed with Rowena, Julian and Lawrence, the hospitable family of our friend Ella. Just what we needed. Fine wine. A comfy bed. And a slobbering 13 year old pit bull called Mars. Perfect. A home away from home. Thank you guys.


Nonnie, aka The Nonster

Then we made our way to the house of Meg Hopgood, Meredith's maternal grandmother, a lady made from the substance you get when you cross platinum, gold and diamonds. A grandmother who is what other grandmothers can only ever aspire to be. Funny. Graceful. Rude. She has in her living room a pair of colossal leather La-Z-boys that would make any aspiring bachelor scowl with jealousy. Nonnie rocks. Hard.

After a few memorable days with her and two cousins, Jen and Sam, in the former gold mining town of Eaglehawk, we rented ourselves a sporty little Toyota roadster. Vroom, baby. So now we're making our way up through the lush green valleys of New South Wales, towards Sydney.


Road trip

So far Australia has had it all. Great weather, lovely people and plenty of space. Now we just need to spot a bloody Kangaroo. Is that really too much to ask?