Part 1: Fleurieu Peninsula (By Melissa)

I never imagined Australia could be so green. That’s all I could think about as we set out down the Fleurieu Peninsula, heading towards Aldinga Beach and Rapid Bay. Our housemate was kind enough to let us borrow his car for the trip, and we were set for a 3-day journey to see everything between Adelaide, Victor Harbor, and Mt. Gambier. I could have sworn as I stared out the window that we were in Ireland, or maybe even New Zealand. Pictures can only do so much to capture the amazing scenery!

We had learned our first big lesson before we set off – and that was the differences between hotels in the states and hotels in Australia. Let me just say that I have never before had to search the fine print to ensure we had our own bathroom. Quite a few hotels here – especially outside the chains like Econolodge and Hilton – have rooms offered at what I call “US prices” ($70-90) but when you read the details, you are sharing a bathroom with 3 or 4 other rooms. We coughed up the extra money to stay at a 100 year old pub hotel in Victor Harbor where we had our own bathroom… conveniently, and quite humorously, giving “water closet” more meaning. The toilet, sink, and a delightful spa tub were tucked behind some closet doors…in an old closet.

Around the time we checked in, we learned another lesson about road-tripping in the Red Country. It’s an awful lot like the Oregon Coast, with little tiny coastal towns scattered every now and then along some beautiful rocky beaches. This – at least in our experience and now further confirmed – means a very disappointing array of dining options.

The next morning we woke up to Oregon Coast-y weather. Sunny, but brisk and with a wind that would ruin even a bald man’s hairdo. We decided to explore Granite Island. I was quite hopeful to see some little penguins waddling around, especially given that there was a penguin rookery, but was disappointed. I guess the little buggers really are only out at sunset. We did see some funny-looking lizards though! Fat thick little buggers with stumpy tails: Shingle back Blue-tongue Skinks! The first one Chad spotted really didn’t appreciate our gazing eyes though, and showed off his enormous blue mouth with a hiss!

After this, we plopped our bottoms back into the car seats and unraveled the map to find out how to start the next leg of our journey: The Limestone Coast all the way down to Mt. Gambier. Five Hours, it said. Fantastic, we said.