Broads Abroad: Victor Harbor

Just when we thought we couldn't meet nicer people.... We go to Victor Harbor. On Friday, Lizzie brought us girls down to Victor Harbor to see the town. After shopping trips and winery tours on the way, we got to Robbie and Geoff's around tea time. They were absolutely amazing people. We were extremely thankful and happy that they allowed us to stay there for a great weekend. Their house was gorgeous. It was probably the nicest place any of us have ever stayed at. It was decorated better than anything you'd find in a "Better Homes and Garden" magazine. It has breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding islands.

Their was 14 of us staying in victor harbor this weekend which made for great fun. It was the 3 of us girls, Lizzie, Mike, the Hartley family, obviously Eobbie & Geoff, and Jenny & Fraiser (another close couple of Liz and Mikes). Although their house was huge with several guest bedrooms, all 6 of us "kids" (grace, Sarah, me, Mickey & Rachel Hartley, and Rachel's boyfriend Nate) decided to alll share a large room with 6 beds. We genuinely felt like kids again.

On Saturday, my hopes and dreams of cuddling a koala bear came true. After breakfast, Lizzie, Robbie, Wendy & Rachel Hartley and I went to an interactive zoo to see the koalas and other animals. In the meantime, Sarah and Grace went fishing with the boys. The koalas were even cuter than I ever imagined them being. Their fur is incredibly soft and didn't mind us cuddling them one bit. I was so incredibly happy to have finally see one for the first time ever. At the zoo, there was also kangaroos roaming freely that we were able to pet and feed. We saw some dingos and other native Aussie animals.

In the gift shop, Robbie was so kind and bought the girls and I a small koala stuffed animal that has magnetic feet and hands. She suggested that we take it on our journey, put him in photos and write from his perspective at times. We remembered the book, Flat Stanley from when we were kids and decided we needed to do it. We absolutely fell in love with the idea. We named the new little guy Victor (Mr. Harbor if we're feeling classy). So, watch out for Victor in our photos and blog!

After the zoo, we went to Goolwa Beach to meet the men (along with Grace and Sarah). We grabbed lunch for everyone and hit the sand trail out to where they were. It was cool that all of the cars were allowed to a drive up and down the beach! When we got there, we are lunch, heard about the fish they caught (or lack of..) and was then taught about cockling. Cockles are a bit like oysters that you dig deep in the sand to find. You can either eat them or use them as fish bait (we used them as bait). Each person was allowed 40 each (legally). It was wicked in and we absolutely loved it! Robbie also told us that we were swimming on the most southern part of Australia (closest point to Antarctica).. Wicked cool! We also got to see the mouth where the Murray River and the ocean meet. SUV an awesome day!

On Sunday, we went for a walk on Granite Island. There is a nice trail that brings you all around the island. There was phenomenal views that we thoroughly enjoyed. We were told that you can sometimes see penguins and seals from the island, however, we didn't. We learned that settlers planted Norfolk pine trees on every island they went to since they used to use the trunks as the mast. We thought it was weird to see pine trees on the beach but it was Gorgeous After the walk, we had an amazing brunch before we had to leave for home.