As our plane descended through thick clouds to land in Melbourne, raindrops battered the small windows of the airplane and everything looked quite green. When we emerged from the plane we were greeted by temperatures in the high 60s and misty spring rain and I knew we were beginning our journey homeward. Although this is fall in the southern hemisphere, it feels much like our spring.
David and I dug out our lightweight waterproof windbreakers and pulled up our hoods. Melbourne seems a bit more fashion conscious. I did not see another hood the rest of the day. Seems everyone here uses umbrellas exclusively.
Just down the lane from our little hotel is a sushi restaurant. Having given sushi a try a couple other times on this journey and being very disappointed, we were a little hesitant to try again. As we walked by the restaurant in the evening, however, we saw that it was quite busy and, thinking that a good sign, decided to try again. Thank goodness we did. We enjoyed fabulous very fresh sushi. Thinking of our favorite sushi restaurants in the Seattle area, we again felt like we are ready to be heading home.
This weekend we have plans to meet with the family whose children Sarah tutored when she spent the year in Paris two years ago. When there was a school holiday, they generously offered us, as Sarah’s family, the use of their home while their family had a holiday in Spain. We all went and had a wonderful time with Sarah as our guide. While in Melbourne we will also meet with a couple we met during the Antarctica portion of our trip.
Today we are celebrating our 32nd anniversary and both feel deep gratitude that we are such great traveling companions. I have enjoyed this rich journey, but look forward to returning to my heart’s home on Whidbey and to our family and friends.