Saying adios to GOR and Melbourne

We had bold plans of waking up early in Lorne and doing a couple short hikes before returning to Melbourne where we would catch the ferry to Tasmania. Unfortunately, it was pouring a cold, steady rain, pretty much from the moment we woke up. So we re-evaluated our plans and decided to head back to the city early.

We couldn't resist one stop along the way back. We made a mad dash out to the beach at Angelsea to check out the surf and sea, and then ran back to the car. It was excellent exercise.

Back in Melbourne, the mission was to get to the parking garage by the rental car drop-off without having to make any right turns. If you're thinking that this sounds complicated and lengthy, you would be right. But, with excellent navigation by Holly, we made it! And we were both so happy to have Melbourne driving behind us!

As a reward for our long day of driving and navigating, and to kill couple hours before catching the ferry, we headed down toward Collins Street to find a good lunch. We found a GREAT lunch instead!

We ate at Olio, an Italian restaurant in Block Place in the laneways of Melbourne. We both couldn't decide between the same two dishes, so that settled it: we shared a spinach and ricotta ravioli with Parmesan purée and risotto with porcini mushroom with wine and thyme oil. There are no words for how much these hit the spot.

Dessert was, of course, necessary to complete our meal and mini trip into Italy. We shared a Nutella tart and crema bruciata, a six-flavor creme brûlée tasting. They were both so, so good.

We could have stayed at our table in the cafe for hours longer and wished that we could. But instead, we did a quick tour through the GPO building and then headed back to settle accounts with the rental car company and catch a cab to the ferry terminal. The highlight of our cab ride was the cab driver laughing maniacally when some poor man got drenched by a passing car.

We were sad to leave Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road. There were so many other things we would have liked to do and explore in both places! And who knows if we'll ever make it back to this part of the world together? But, all the sadness was swept away when we arrived at the ferry terminal: the next adventure was beginning!

Sunset at the ferry terminal

Posted with Blogsy