DAY 4: HOT AIR & TENNIS

Friday, Jan 24  Day 4

Melbourne

Note: Beth and Karen are taking turns blogging. Karen wanted the Nadal day, so this one is hers!

We woke at 4am to find that our hot air balloon ride was cancelled (I certainly do not want to be in a hot air balloon if it is lightning!).  It was a bummer but the good news was that we were able to sleep later and have a very leisurely breakfast.  Since it was raining, we went to the Aquarium, which is a short walk from our hotel.


We were amazed by the huge stingrays.  See their under bellies -- they look like they are smiling.
 

Larry was part of the exhibit.

But my favorite were the penguins.  We watched them waddle around, slide into the water and belly flop down the slope.




After the aquarium, Beth and Larry met a friend of Beth's and her son for lunch while Steven and I walked around with Denise.

Then it was time to head to Rod Laver Arena, which is a ten minute walk from our hotel.  Rod Laver Arena is a much smaller venue than Billie Jean King Center (US Open).  Bad news, no good apparel stores and poor food options.  Good news, small intimate setting with great viewing for the tennis (Arthur Ashe seats over 22,000 and Rod Laver stadium only seats 15,000.)  We had excellent seats -- front row slightly right of the umpire's chair.   First, we watched the women's doubles finals match -- very exciting with the Italians beating the Russians in three sets.  Then the main event: Federer vs Nadal.  Fabulous tennis -- great to watch two of the best players battle it out.  Our only regret was that it didn't go to four or five sets.  

My man Nadal was too strong and tough to beat (regardless of how hard Larry rooted for Roger!).


It was a beautiful night and incredible experience.