Within days of me deciding to come to Australia, my parents decided they were coming too! They figured the opportunity to go could be now or never... so the answer was NOW! My parents and brother were going to spend my brother's spring break with me DOWN UNDA!
I had created an in-depth itinerary to make my parents 8 days in Australia worth it. Something that I find interesting about Australians is I told people that my parents were coming for 8 days and the response I would get was... "That's all?!?!? Why would your parents fly ALL the way here for only 8 days?" Excuse me... 8 days is a long time!!!! All the Aussies kept telling me this and it started to get to me...... I think it's just a cultural difference because it seems like Aussies take these 4-6 week long holidays. I grew up taking 3 day trips. Fly out on a Thursday, Fly home on a Sunday! So 8 days seemed like a LONG trip to me!
My family's flight arrived Saturday morning at 7:30am. With a little help from the kids, I made this sign to welcome my family :)
I was almost to the airport and I received a text from my dad. They had landed early and already passed through customs! I was so surprised because it took me over an hour to get through customs and then my luggage got lost!! I was glad my family had a better experience than me. They were waiting on the corner and I honked at them the second I saw them. Of course I started crying!!! I was so happy to see them.
They hopped in the car and we headed for my house. Within 2 minutes of being in the car we made a McDonald's stop. If you know my parents, you know their Diet Coke addiction is real and so they needed to see what Australian Diet Coke is all about. The car ride back to my house we talked about the plane ride. They watched lots of movies, didnt get much sleep, and ate lots of airplane food. All in all... not too shabby!
We got to my house in Melbourne and my host mom Jodie had prepared some lovely breakfast bites and drinks and coffee and all of that. It was fun to show my parents around the house and show them my gorgeous room. I think they were very impressed! Melbourne is known for its coffee and so James tried some... hoping the caffeine would help the jet lag!
After visiting at the Quick's house, Jodie gave me her car and I took my parents to where we were staying. The weekend my family decided to visit happened to be the Formula 1 Race in Melbourne, causing all accommodations to have sky rocketed prices! Luckily, Jodie's in-laws, Cheryl and Robert, have a large house in a beautiful suburb of Melbourne called St. Kilda. She kindly offered to let us stay there with them. We took her up on that offer!
Here is my dad sitting in Cheryl and Robert's gorgeous courtyard
Mom and James enjoying the Australian sun
After we settled in at Cheryl and Robert's we went exploring. I took them to Brighton Beach, where they are famous for their decorated bathing boxes. I was trying to keep my family as busy as possible to keep them awake! I remember my first day being such a blur. After we explored the beaches, we walked along the shore for about 5k. That was the good thing about their visit. It felt like all we did was eat so much, but then we were walking just as much so it felt like it balanced out. For dinner our first night I made dinner reservations at a fun restaurant on the beach called Republica. After a yummy dinner, we each got some ice-cream! I think we were in bed by 8:30pm that night.
Representing my sorority in Australia!
I needed some good Dad hugs... I've been missing him!
Fanning's love their sweets!
Cheryl and Robert's beautiful home we stayed in!
Fanning's at the Bathing Boxes
My favorite brother. He makes me so proud in everything he does. Love you JT!
For our first full day in Australia, I hadn't planned too much. I wasn't sure how the jet lag would be affecting them and so I didn't want to push them too hard. We started the day having breakfast at a beautiful cafe on the beach called Sandbar. We each got eggs, bacon, and toast - YUM!
After breakfast we went into the city to do some exploring! Anything touristy we were going to see that day.
The family in front of Flinders Street Station
Gorgeous view of Melbourne
My parents on love lock bridge
We checked out the Eureka Sky Deck! Tallest building in Melbourne.
Mom and I got matching henna tattoos (they were free haha)
James experiencing macarons for the first time! Look how thrilled he is about my photo obsession
My parents and Melbourne - two of my favorite things!
Frozen coke's are are the rage here - and only $1 at McDonald's!
Sunday night was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip! Jodie invited her entire family over to Cheryl and Robert's for an authentic Australian BBQ. I invited 4 of my friends too! I was so excited to introduce my family to everyone I spend time with here! We ate Kangaroo steak and meatballs, beef steak, shrimp, and lots of delicious side dishes!
Bek, Michael, and Chris!
The whole crew!
Tori and Bek!
Michael is a fan of EDM (electronic dance music) and he calls it "Bangerz" so I had my mom bring him a shirt from one of my favorite bars in Austin, Texas on Rainey Street called Bangers! He was pretty excited!!
Monday was a big day! We were doing the Great Ocean Road Tour on a tour bus all day. If you google things to do in Australia, this comes up as one of the main attractions! You drive all day and make stops at different beautiful beaches and landmarks, and you end at the 12 Apostles which is one of the "wonders of the world." It was absolutely worth it and I would recommend it, but I don't know if I would ever do it again. It was great views and very interesting but it was a LONG day! 13 hours to be exact.
Fanning Tourists!
Sibling love!
My first real life kangaroo sighting!!!
The Great Ocean Road Tour
Some of the 12 Apostles behind us!
Pure beauty!!! Spectacular views
Tuesday was our final day in Melbourne. When we woke up we went to a pub in town because it was St. Patricks Day, so we knew we needed to get our drink on! In the afternoon, Jodie picked us up and was taking us to Phillip Island. It was about 2 hours away and famous for the show that the penguins put on every night. When we got to Phillip Island, we went to a pizzeria for dinner and shared a couple pizzas. I enjoyed this time we spent with Jodie because she is the person I spend most of my time with! She is my friend, mom away from mom, boss, listener, and everything in between. It was nice to have my family get to know Jodie. I think they realize why I enjoy my time here so much, definitely has a huge part to do with her!
The penguin show begins when the sun goes down. Every day, the mommy penguins go out to sea to hunt for food for the husband and baby. Then at night they swim up to shore in huge groups and waddle back to their homes. It was really unique and interesting to watch. Unfortunately we couldn't take any photos, so you'll have to take my word on how cute it was!!!
I love my baby brother!
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