Days 537-538: March 21-22, 2026 – Melbourne, Australia

In the Dominican Republic, where talented baseball players come from, we took in a local baseball game. So in Australia, it seemed only right to experience the country’s favorite sport, Australian football, also known as Aussie Rules or footy. It’s not quite the same as American football (though there are some similarities), nor rugby. A large group of Odysseans (about 90) gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (The stadium is used for both cricket and football).

We were rooting for the local team, Richmond Tigers, which unfortunately got blown away by the Gold Coast Suns. I have trouble following American football, so I didn’t always know what was going on with this one. I just cheered when everyone else in our group cheered!

The next day, we were treated to another local specialty: an Aussie BBQ. (Remember the Put a Shrimp on the Barbie tourism ads in the 1980s with Paul Hogan?) An Odyssean who had been on the ship a while back and who lives in Melbourne invited a group of us to a BBQ at her lovely home to experience this integral part of Australian culture. (Thanks Rose, and thanks Fran for organizing!)

Not only was there BBQ with all the fixings, but also a veritable cornucopia of deserts.

It’s always a treat when we can do something away from the tourist circuit.