Turning 40 in a Hot Air Balloon over Yarra Valley

As I turn another year older, I must say that celebrating a four-decade milestone was much more fun, exciting and emotional. Now, I’m just another year older. Blah!

Weeks before we left Australia, I wanted to do something special for my 40^th birthday. I did all the planning and decided that floating over the beautiful Yarra Valley and drinking local Aussie wines sounded like a perfect fit. But then on the night before my birthday, the hot air balloon company called to say the conditions were too windy to go up early the next day. (Hubby consoled me with a wine dinner at a winery so I can’t complain too much.) Then, we rescheduled for another weekend, which also was cancelled due to wind. Finally, the third time was a charm for us and up we went into a misty autumn morning.

The Yarra Valley is located about an hour from Melbourne’s CBD area. Previously, we already had taken two wine tours in the valley and one DIY winery tour. I had fallen in love with Australian and Kiwi wines and the valley happens to be the closest wine-producing region to the city. Wine + beautiful landscapes = one happy girl.

A horse and its shadow amongst the autumn-hued vineyards in the Yarra Valley.

On the big departure day, we opted for the free shuttle bus ride via Global Ballooning from Melbourne to the valley’s meeting point. We arrived a little after 5 a.m. The sky was still pitch black and we were surrounded by a low misty fog. I was worried the balloon ride would be cancelled yet again!

After driving to an appropriate landing site, our group got out to help set up the hot air balloon. Three other balloons took off from the same site, so it was fun to watch everyone prep the balloons. I mainly stood back and took photos. Ha!

Hubby and me before we took off on our Global Ballooning adventure.

I should mention that I’m a teensy bit afraid of heights, and I started to mildly panic once I hopped into the balloon’s basket. However, once we got up in the air, the feeling was magical. Any fear subsided and all I did was admire the beautiful scenery around us and take more photos. We literally floated through and above the clouds! What a delight!

Admiring the Landscapes

We silently floated over Victorian farms, apple orchards, wineries, emerald-green pastures filled with cows and horses and even a couple of kangaroos. Seriously, the views could not have been more perfect!

Why had I waited 40 years to take this thrilling balloon ride? When we lived in Turkey, we almost did a balloon ride over Cappadocia, but opted not to because of the expense. Now, we were paying nearly twice as much in Australia, but the cost was certainly justified in the end.

After an hour or so up in the air, we landed in the middle of a pasture filled with cows who didn’t seem to mind our intrusion whatsoever. The company has partnerships with several local farmers who allow the balloon companies to land there. Then, we all helped roll up the balloon and gather the supplies so we could head to breakfast.

Time for Bubbles

Our balloon package included a fantastic brunch at Rochford Winery with lots of sparkling Aussie wine. Hooray! Plus, we had a good time chatting with our Aussie neighbors who were planning a big trip to the U.S. I was more than happy to provide my foodie recommendations for NYC.

All in all, turning 40 wasn’t too bad. I may have shed a few tears, but in the end, I made true memories to last a lifetime by floating over the amazing Aussie landscape.

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Dining on a Historic Tramcar in Melbourne

One of my favorite dining memories in Melbourne is sitting in a cozy, 90-year-old tram and enjoying a four-course lunch with my in-laws and my husband.

Shortly after moving to Melbourne, we noticed this fleet of burgundy-colored tram cars that roll throughout the CBD and into some of the nearby neighborhoods. Since hubby loves trains, he insisted that we find out how the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant worked. I was wary because this activity sounded too touristy to me. Come to find out, the restaurant is booked weeks in advance is very, very difficult to get into. We’re not talking Michelin-starred service, but the tramcar restaurant is a very unique, Aussie thing to do!

After trying for months to book a table on the weekend, we finally scored a weekday reservation during my in-laws’ January visit to Australia. This roving restaurant offers one lunch and two dinner sittings each day, 365 days a year. The menus feature modern Australian cuisine and local wines. Yay for wine!

The historic tram cars date to 1927 and actually were used for transport service around the city for approximately 55 years. The restaurant service started in August 1983 with a single tram, as amendments were required to the Liquor License Act to allow for the service of alcohol on a mobile restaurant.

Our dining experience started with an appetizer of two dips – hummus and a creamy roasted red pepper. Our server even provided gluten-free rice crackers for me.

For our entrées, three of us had the tender duck terrine wrapped in prosciutto with a wild berry relish while my mother-in-law had the pretty smoked Tasmanian salmon and avocado mousse stack with tomato salsa. Both dishes were a lot fancier than we had imagined!

For our mains, everyone ordered the slow-cooked beef served with pomme dauphinoise and red wine jus. Of course, we all had enjoyed a nice glass or perhaps two of an Australian shiraz with this course.

Finally, our meal ended with a platter of local cheeses, some from the Yarra Valley as I recall. You get three cheeses, crackers, toasted fruit bread and a quince paste. Our server refilled our wineglasses and my husband and father-in-law had some kind of aperitif. Service is pretty much like what you’d find served in business class on an airplane. Our glasses were rarely empty and our servers were friendly! Of course, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options for non-lushes like ourselves.

What’s also a bonus is that this all-inclusive lunch only cost us 85aud (about $64USD) per person. Considering the quality of food and how many drinks we imbibed, I’d say we hit the jackpot!

We enjoyed our meal and conversation so much that we didn’t pay too much attention to the views outside our window. Every now and then, I pointed out a building or sight for my in-laws as we weaved our way through Melbourne. If you really want to see the sights like the Queen Victoria Market or St. Kilda, I think it’s best done on foot.

As you can see, we're all very happy at the end of our meal.

A family photo from a different perspective.

If you’re ever in Melbourne, and even if you’re a local, I highly recommend this unique dining experience.

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Stunning Views Over Melbourne from Eureka Skydeck 88

Although I usually try to avoid super touristy places, I finally gave into my love of photography to recently take some remarkable photos over Melbourne.

For the best city views, simply pay 20aud ($15USD) and take the fast elevator up 88 floors to the top of the Eureka Skydeck88. For months, I believed the cost wouldn’t be worth it, but I was wrong. You can’t get better views than this unless you live or work in one of the CBD’s skyscrapers or pay a few hundred dollars to take a helicopter ride over the city.

Located in Southbank along the Yarra River, the building dominates the city’s skyline as Melbourne’s tallest building and stands out with its 24 carat-gold-plated glass windows on the top 10 floors. The Eureka building – named after the Eureka Stockade in the 1850s – and its Skydeck offers not only views of the city but also out across Port Phillip Bay and the Bass Strait.

An aerial view of Melbourne’s CBD as seen from the Eureka Skydeck.

I arrived shortly before sunset so I could catch the rosy and fiery orange shades light up the evening sky. If I would go again, I would take advantage of the Skydeck’s Sun and Stars ticket option (5.50aud extra) which allows you to return twice on the same day or within two consecutive days.

To the west, I watched the sun set over the Yarra River, the Docklands and the Crown Casino precinct. I did have to fight my way to a clear window space so I could take photos.

Looking out over the CBD, you can see the historical Flinders Street Train station (bottom left) and St. Paul’s Cathedral across from Federation Square.

The only problem with shooting through thick glass windows is dealing with glares and flashes from other people’s cameras. In fact, I felt like I was able to get better photos with my Samsung phone because I could set the lens right up against the windows. If you want good nighttime photos, it’s best to bring a tripod to set your camera for a longer exposure.

The spire in the bottom left hand corner is on top of Melbourne’s Arts Centre, oddly kind of looking like an Eiffel Tower! Federation Square, what is considered one of the ugliest buildings in the world, is located on the left side of the Yarra.

In the top right hand corner, you’ll see a stadium called the Melbourne Cricket Ground, more commonly known as the MCG, where we've watched three footy games.

Looking out to southeast corner, here’s a view along St. Kilda Road and the Royal Botanic Gardens at night.

Chaos or home?

After taking nearly 200 photos over 2 hours, I left the Eureka Skydeck feeling a bit happier. Living as an expat in Melbourne hasn’t always been easy this past year, but these stunning views reminded me how lucky we’ve been to call this place “home” – at least for a little while.

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Marvelous Autumn Moments in Melbourne

While friends in the Northern Hemisphere constantly post photos of themselves beachside or barbecuing, I’m rugged up in a coat, scarf and hat. It’s officially autumn, well technically winter here Down Under.

Oddly, Australia likes to celebrate the change of seasons on the first of the month. For example, June 1^st meant we officially heralded in the winter season.  Meanwhile, friends in the Northern Hemisphere will be celebrating the Summer Solstice today on June 20^th – the longest day of the year. On September 1^st, we’ll mark the first day of spring while you “Northerners” celebrate fall.

I first started seeing signs of autumn in Melbourne back in mid-April. The leaves do start changing color even though the city has many native trees that do not drop their leaves or change color. But when the city’s numerous parks and gardens do turn, there’s something magical about the vibrant reds, yellows and browns adorned throughout the city’s streets.

Take a stroll along the Yarra River or through the CBD or Fitzroy Gardens. Unfortunately, I haven’t made it to the Botanic Gardens yet, but I understand the autumn display here is quite wonderful.

Now, even in the middle of June, I’ve found plenty of color around the city to photograph. However, I will admit that are rainy, cold, crappy days have started setting in for good, I’m afraid.

Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy is one of Melbourne's most popular parks with its large footy grounds and bike trails.

In case you haven’t heard, Melbourne has a reputation for having “four seasons in one day.” I quickly learned this is true. Be sure to always carry a cardigan, scarf, umbrella and your sunnies (sunglasses) with you no matter what the forecast says! I’ve been left in the rain on several occasions when I thought surely the blue skies wouldn’t turn on me, but oh yes, they will. Trust me!

Blue skies can be quite deceptive!

This autumn, we've been lucky to sit outside on several weekends and enjoy a pint along the Yarra River.

Just dress in layers (and more layers) and you’ll be prepared for pretty much any situation that Melbourne’s autumn can throw at you.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne.

On a nice autumn day, you can rent a boat at the Studley Park Boat House. 

The many shades of autumn in Melbourne. This time in the Malvern/Hawthorne neighborhoods.

An autumn sunset in Melbourne.

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