Australia, Family trip.

Family Portrait - Melbourne, Australia. A family picture taken at the airport in Melbourne.

Our family flew over to Melbourne to attend my sister's graduation. Of course, my dear sister would remind us till the day we die that we absolutely missed her graduation. We flew all the way there but missed her graduation. We were happily eating at the Victoria Market and lost track of time. When we arrived at the stadium where the graduation was held, it was all over. Of course there was also the drama of grandma getting lost in the stadium. Dad had to piggyback my uncle up a steep flight of stairs while both the sons were happily finding a parking spot. It was all very chaotic. Grandma was trying to ask for directions in Malay in Australia. Naturally, nobody understood what she said. We were fined $100 AUD for parking at a 'No Stopping' zone. The sign honestly looked like a 'No Money' sign to me.

Travelling with family is definitely a very different experience from travelling alone. I was more accustomed to going wherever I like but a lot more coordination is required. We have to consider the likings and capabilities of everyone. Also, we have to consider whether the journey is too long for grandma or whether the venue is wheel chair accessible, things that I have never had to consider.

Some days grandma was so cold she was shivering. Also, she said she couldn't breathe when she walks too fast. And this was summer in Melbourne. Summer! I thought it was going to be like Malaysia but seems like I was very wrong. I was totally unprepared for the weather as well. I came down the plane in shorts, t-shirt and sandals and the temperature in Melbourne was 13C. For some that is totally acceptable but am have been quite used to 32C all my life. Now, I need to go looking for a jacket in case the weather gets more chilly. The only jacket I had was left on a bus in Bangkok.