Anzac Day and Dandenong Ranges

I had a really long and hard week this week. Monday I had my usual 6 hours of class, and then I decided I had enough. Good thing 3 hours of class got canceled Tuesday, and the university was closed Wednesday for Anzac Day, Australia's Memorial Day. That left me with no classes Thursday and only 1 class Friday. Going back to real school is going to be pretty hard next fall...
Since Wednesday was Anzac Day, Matt and I decided to go into the city to see the festivities. The ceremonies started at around 6 with a sunrise service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Needless to say, we did not go to it. Instead, we made it to the city around 10:30 for the march from Flinders Street down to the Shrine. All the local veterans groups took part in the march, and they had tons of restored Army jeeps. I couldn't help but with I was up north at Bluhm's cabin riding around in one. We followed the march to the Shrine and watched the midday service. It was just like any Memorial Day Service, but it was neat to see another country's tribute to their military. After the service we bought Anzac biscuits because, well, it just felt fitting! (They were just ginger cookies, but they were still good)

Jeeps in the march to the Shrine of Remembrance

Midday Service

After our cookies, we followed the crowd to the MCG for the football game. Just like baseball on the Fourth of July, going to a footy match is what you do on Anzac Day. Unfortunately, this meant the game had been sold out for weeks, so we could just walk around the stadium. I really enjoyed being back in a game day atmosphere, to me there's really nothing like it. The weather was cold and wet so most people just went into the stadium and the atmosphere wasn't what it should've been. (I say cold, but it was probably mid 50s, a perfect Badger gameday. You would've thought it was the middle of winter by the way people were dressed. I saw scarfs, hats, mittens, and heavy winter coats. I was wearing my jacket, but only because it was raining. I was actually getting hot.)
We got pretty bored after the game started because everyone was inside, so we decided to go to St. Kilda the rest of the day. Not the best idea because of the rain, but we had nothing else to do and didn't want to go back to Monash. St. Kilda was empty except for a few wind surfers. We walked around the beach and then through a park back to the city. It would've been a beautiful 2 hour walk if it wasn't for the rain, but it was a good way to pass the afternoon. By the end of it we were wet and tired so we just went home.
Saturday I took another trip with RMIT. There was someone from Monash this time though, so I had one more person to talk to. This trip was to the Dandenong Ranges about 30 minutes from Monash. The day started with a scenic walk through the forest. I felt like I was in a rainforest, not 30 minutes from campus. It was so cool, I just wish we had more than 40 minutes. We even saw a kangaroo hopping by. You gotta love Australia!

Our next stop was, to me, the highlight of the day, Puffing Billy! Puffing Billy is a steam powered train that goes through the Ranges. You felt like you were stepping back in time, especially because all the conductors and other workers were wearing uniforms from the early 1900s. The cars we open so you could sit on the edge and put your feet out as you traveled through the hills. We didn't see any kangaroos this time, but two dogs started chasing the train. That was pretty funny to watch! Just like the walk, my only complain was we only went to the first station until of riding the whole line. I just might have to go back!

Probably the main reason why I was disappointed that we didn't spend more time at the train or the forest walk was after lunch we went to another animal sanctuary. As much as I love koalas and kangaroos (I don't get me wrong, I still really enjoy seeing them), we had just been to a sanctuary the week before with the same tour group and company, so I thought they would've let us see something else. It was still really fun to see all the animals though. When we went to the koalas this time, one was up and actually active. He even jumped from one tree to another, but then he quickly went back to sleep after spending all his energy for like, a week!

Couldn't get a picture of him jumping because it was so unexpected, but I think this picture looks like he's waving to the camera 

Our final stop of the day was to a winery. The winery itself was beautiful, with the vines with horses and the Dandenong Ranges in the background. We got to sample one of their lines of wine, but even their cheapest stuff was out of my price range. The samples were very good though. Next week we go to the Grampians. It looks like the best trip of the three with RMIT, so I'm super excited! First I have to get through a test, presentation, and finish up a paper due next Monday. Yes, I actually do have work to do here as surprising as that may be.