Arun’s Australia Venture- A Trip to Remember with Thrillophilia
As we drove through the Great Ocean Road, the cool breeze tangled up our hair and the soothing views seeped right into our hearts, creating a feeling that can't be explained in a thousand words. I was happy watching my wife and kids smiling at their hearts’ content, letting the sunshine wash over them in full glory.
The scenery ahead of us was that of a smooth, snaking road that zigzagged through the coastline of Australia, with the wide blue ocean on the left and vast green forests on the right.
As Coldplay songs played on the radio, we were all tuned in to the beauty of the place, the drive, and everything it brought to us.
We felt as if nature herself sparkled glitters of joy over us, wishing us to enjoy a lifetime trip in the land of Oz.
A little bit of a flashback
We had booked this trip from Thrillophilia, knowing that their international travel services have always been up to the mark, thanks to the reviews we read online. However, since this was our first trip with them, I felt obliged to take regular updates from them, especially to rule out the possibility of any hurdles whatsoever.
And my family, on the other hand, was busy shopping and packing and daydreaming about this trip. God knows what it is with kids, they make you forget about all the negativity of the world and indulge you in their little bubble of delight… I realised this only when I came back home from a bad day at work, right before the date of travel. Watching my family, I decided that day to not think about anything bad while on this trip. I shoved my work phone in the cupboard, locked it, and pushed all the tension away from my mind to live in the moment with those who matter.
Some experiences to hold close
Call it Straya, call it Aussie, call it Oz, but no name can ever portray how beautiful this country is.
First, we visited the MCG- Melbourne Cricket Ground, where legends of cricket like Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar once wrote history. My wife was hopping from one cabinet to the other in the memorabilia gallery watching the portraits and the pictures. The huge stadium was a testament to the honour and prestige of the sport, and my wife and I both struck off its name from our bucket list, standing right in the middle of the field.
We rounded off the day with a visit to the Eureka Skydeck tour, from where we caught impressive views of the city’s skyline and the towering skyscrapers all lit up. Not to forget the last minute of the sunset when the entire horizon appeared to be blood red. It was a very relaxing experience for us. Finally, we decided to dine on local delicacies like Barramundi, vegemite, pavlova and meat pies.
It was a day worth remembering, but it was just the start of the journey and we knew we had much more to explore.
Melbourne treated us well the first day, but it was great for us the next day- our self-drive tour to the Great Ocean road was, hands down, unforgettable.
From the serene beauty of the Gibsons Steps to the marvellous sight of the Lock Ard Gorge and the thought-provoking sea mounts of the Twelve Apostles, we toured it all. Even the trip to Apollo Bay was enriching in every sense.
All these places seemed to get pushed back at the back of our minds when we boarded the Hot Air Balloon in Yarra Valley. It was a ride worth writing a book about, with the lush fields and the open blue sky creating a wonder for our eyes and souls.
Next, we went for a wine tasting. Although we knew nothing about the art of tasting wine, we were quite happy to do it anyway. From Chardonnay to Merlot and Syrah, me and my wife tried it all. Our cheeks were red by the end of the day, while our kids complained about paining stomachs due to too much cheese.
The days that blew our minds
The first of its kind was our excursion to Mt. Buller. The Cable car ride there was awe-inspiring- we could see the village passing by, and then the mountain ranges coming into view with their majesty and charm. This resort was worth visiting, but unfortunately, we did not have time to spend the night there since the next day was supposed to be even bigger.
Cairns. Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling.
It is humanly impossible to explain what we saw under the water. It was unlike any other water adventure I have ever had in my life in these 40 years- everywhere we looked there were millions of colourful corals and schools of fish. The water was cold yet our hearts were warm to see the diverse underwater life play out before us. No picture could justify what we witnessed, and perhaps, it is a one-of-a-kind experience that can never be repeated.
Our first tour in Sydney was to the famous Sydney Zoo. Watching gorillas and giraffes play on the open grounds mesmerised the kids. They were so engrossed in feeding and playing with the kangaroos that they wanted to take one of the babies home. When they realised it was not possible, their tears could only be controlled with ice creams and soft toys shaped like kangaroos.
Finally, we all went to the Sydney Opera House and took a soulful Night Show Cruise Dinner boat ride around the Sydney harbour. It was the perfect way to end our long family trip, and our gleaming eyes rightly conveyed how it went.
Although I could not cover a few of the places that we went to on this trip, I am sure the essence of the trip has come through in these words.
Looking forward to taking more trips from Thrillophilia. Till then, adieu!
Read More: Thrillophilia Australia Reviews