My First Adventure with F. A. L. C. Solo.
Having been traveling with children to many places ranging from seven to twelve days each trip, it was after the Taiwan trip in December 2022 that it came to my senses the number of days were too short. It would have been different if we are talking about one or two children. Having four young children with different needs and amount of attention, I had decided to take the opportunity to take a much longer trip this time. One month.
A country I adore, because of its slow pace living, friendly people, beautiful countrysides, cold winter joy at this period, Australia that is.
I started planning the entire trip in March ~ starting with three nights in the city, hired a rental car and drove three hours to Port Campbell, The Great Ocean Road for six nights, then to Top of the Otways for five nights, then to Gnarwarre for a night, into Geelong for four nights, and back to city for eight nights.
One big milestone we celebrated during the trip, my fortieth birthday. :) A new beginning.
Prayed for journey mercies, God is good. He kept us safe and make the entire trip smooth sailing. Alex joined us on the last five nights in the city, when we celebrated his forty-second birthday. :)
My children and I had met many helpful locals who offered their hands with our bags and there were plenty of them, who offered kind conversations and a kind gesture of patting my shoulder for embracing the journey alone with my children. I felt very much appreciated there. Thankful for all the kindness, the kind local people, the grace of it all.
It was such a fruitful trip with my children for the entire twenty-eight nights, I’m really glad I did it, all with God’s grace and protection.
I’m touched, and felt emotional seeing my children, especially Francis and Anthony, the two eldest of the siblings, have grown so much and learnt lots during and from the trip. Myself too.
I’d learnt to slow down whenever I can, enjoy every moment with my children, embrace their childhood.
Nothing is as precious as God, our own children, and most important of it all, love.
<3
Melbourne, Australia ~ May, June 2023
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Reflection of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne
Exterior and interior of the Cathedral, where we had attended the Sunday evening mass praying for journey mercies before headed up to The Great Ocean road.
Gothic. Majestic. Blessed.
My lovely friend, Michelle. We had our own version of a long and beautiful occurrences that brought us together and our friendship has since grown stronger. It was pure coincident that we had planned and booked for the trip to Melbourne flying on the same day (different flight). This itself, is already another testimony of us being true friends with many similarities. God has indeed shown me and my children His grace and love through people around us, Michelle and her family is one that God has so graciously provided.
Our stay in House on the Hill, Port Campbell, The Great Ocean Road. Where my children celebrated my fortieth birthday with me <3 They had each chosen a slice of cake for me from the restaurant just 5mins walk from our cottage.
The unforgettable night views outside our cottage
The mesmerising view outside our farmhouse at Top of the Otways, near Forrest
Where my children had fun at the quiet playground surrounded by beautiful greens in the cold. Apollo Bay.
Here at Geelong Waterfront, my children enjoyed very much the activities such as the ferris wheel and the playground. It’s only in such weather my children can play at the playground for hours without getting tired and sweaty, with beautiful water view and the strong breeze. I was in fact, freezing cold but embracing every moment here.
When we were back into the city, that was when Alex traveled to Melbourne and spent the last part of the one month journey with us. Here we boarded the PuffingBilly train and it was truly an unforgettable one, it was Alex’s birthday :)
