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We have two days in Melbourne, Australia. This is a port we did not visit last year, so we were particularly excited to see it.
For the first day, Gail booked a private excursion. We joined three other Viking couples for a full-day drive on the Great Ocean Road. This is a 150-mile highway along the southeastern coast of Australia. It was built by returning soldiers after WWI and dedicated to those killed in the Great War. It is therefore the world’s largest war memorial.
The road boasts stunning coastal views. We were reminded very much of California’s Highway 1, which similarly runs along the coast with spectacular views of the ocean. During our long drive we made photo stops at several scenic locations, including Gibson Steps Beach, Island Archway and The Razorback.
Our ultimate destination was The Twelve Apostles. This is a series of limestone stacks off the shore. Named by early sailors, there were never actually more than nine stacks. Today, eight stacks remain. (One collapsed in 2005.)
The scenery was beautiful, but it was a long day and a long time to spend in a van. After our 11-hour adventure, we returned to the ship just in time for a replay of Superbowl LVIII (58) in the Star Theatre aboard ship.