Parcell World Tour Continues with...Penguins.

     Adventure resumes, rather continues, on the #ParcellWorldTour as we headed to Cowes, Philip Island for the weekend. As in this occasion we had ALL seven children in tow it became necessary to rent a second vehicle for the trip. This being the case, Henry was very captured by the idea of having a new car to drive, so of course, where did he need to have his carseat moved to? That's right. So, I slipped my bag out of the "trunk" (if you could even call it that) of the new rental and moved it back into the van. A selfish endeavor of mine on this travel became that if I could get a couple of hours without Henry's whining, I was going to take it.

A cozy koala asleep at the Conservation.
Couldn't bat an eye for anyone.

     It was weird not having the bulky carseat bulging out on all sides of the backseat. Definitely more space, and much less suspense in the air that at any fragile moment the silence might be broken by the screeching frustrations of the toddler in all ears of the passengers in the air-tight space all around. The two-hour drive went quickly because of this when I looked up to see that we had come to the famous chocolate factory on Philip Island. The most appealing thing on the outside of the sign were the words that read "free sample" which was all Karly seemed to care about, and I can't help but agree! Who doesn't love free chocolate??

     The free sample nor the tour of the factory happened as it cost more money than anyone in the right mind should pay for such a thing, and we only utilized the factory for it's convenience of public toilets. We waved goodbye to the factory and sneered at the sad excuse of a "chocolate-themed" laser tag out back. Picture cardboard cut-outs painted and drawn on to look like chocolate bars...yeah. That was their chocolate-themed laser tag? Umm...no. Try again.

     The house rental was very pretty on the inside, though I would find out the hard way that the beds were not as comfy as they appeared. As I lay awake trying in vain to fall asleep later that first night, all I could think about was how much lack of support there was for my back where I needed it and how much it felt like I was stretched out across a springboard topped with a piece of sheet rock. Needless to say, I couldn't fall asleep. My only release was when I gave up on the bed, grabbed the extra blanket from the closet, and went out to the living room to make the straight, round-back loveseat as comfortable as possible. By this time it was about 5:45AM and I still hadn't even slipped into sleep stage: two.

     The only activity planned for the evening was to go see the "Little Penguin Parade". This little island in Australia is home to the world's littlest penguin that stands on about 12 inches tall (so cute!!). After tickets were paid for we walked all the way to the beach. I saw signs for such things as "General Admission" and "Penguin Premium". It turns on that everyone is shuffled down to the amphitheatre-like benches on the shore, and all we are to do is sit there are wait for the penguins to swim home after dark. What in the world a premium viewing is? I have no idea.
I suddenly became very appalled to the fact that these people had monetized something that occurs so naturally. We just paid you $25 a pop to watch some penguins swim up to a beach? It all seemed rather unethical to me, and I felt like a little bit of an idiot for falling victim to their scheme.

Beautiful sunset on the beach!

     We weren't supposed to take pictures, but naturally some dum-dums think they're clever enough to get away with it. Nope...one Einstein wannabe got caught TWICE! I really had trouble not laughing and rolling my eyes at him. Hmmm...yeah, I just wonder what that LED box in your palm could be, it couldn't possibly be a CAMERA, would it?? The rangers aren't that stupid, Watso. Nice try.
The penguins swam up, it was cute, then we all remembered we were cold.

     Our final day was LONG, to say the least. We drove up to Philip Island's Grand Prix track to have the privilege of watching my dad and Leo ride some go-karts. None of the rest of us could actually drive with them, because there is a "special" license needed to do so. The big girls hung out in the car for a good hour or so before the duo even started orientation. They got there eventually (Leo totally beat Dad, by the way).

Is here even trying to pass Leo?

     It was lunch-time, but there were no plans to scavenge for an appropriate lunch meal. No time to waste, Melbourne City was waiting with its giant dominoes stretched across the metropolitan. Our nook to watch a portion of the white concrete blocks tumble was cool and busy with the hundreds of other on-lookers.
Most of the children, meaning everyone except Henry, were hell-bent on getting some real food. Snack food is no substitute in place of a meal.

After doing her best to hold it together, my poor little sister's blood sugar had been tortured enough, and she just about ripped a box of pizza out of my brother's hands all for herself. I couldn't remember the last time, myself, that I had been so famished for the want of food that I wasn't just grumpy, but upon beholding the sight of sustenance I burst into tears. My dear sister, was so desperate. We were all on the grumpier side of the scale by this time in the day, we all needed a real meal.

The life-size dominos.
Not so big-as-houses as originally thought.

I was so grateful to be back at the house, and to have myself showered and clean.

Laundry time!

Jess