Been a long time coming this blog entry, my apologies. Think I've had more grief off these two to get it done than I ever had off my mum to tidy my bedroom or a teacher to hand in a piece of coursework. Obviously travelling doesn't change you that much, I'll still put everything off 'til the last minute. So (after much side-tracking) our travels take us to Melbourne, Victoria...
The flight from Perth arrived at Avalon airport (apparently thats the middle of nowhere like a million miles from the city and even further from where Mike and Chrissy live) at roughly 11pm. Mike had agreed on the phone to pick us up and we found him easily yet felt guilty after he told us about the ordeal of finding the airport. Mike and Chrissy are friends of my parents; my mum met Chrissy whilst she was travelling through Europe many years ago and both ended up working in a pub in London. When we arrived at their house, where we spent our entire and very enjoyable time in Melbourne, Chrissy was awake and quickly got round to making hundreds of cheese, ham and tomatoe toasties - Superstar.
The next day we slept in, it being the first morning we had spent since Thailand (I think!?) when we hadn't been woken my some person in our dorm going to work very early. At some point after midday we were dropped off by Chrissy at the train station in the Brighton suburb of Melbourne, Chrissy and Mike live in East Brighton and apparently Shane Warne is a local who still lives nearby. After scrabbling through our pockets for $6 plus worth of change each, we boarded the train heading for Flinders St station in central Melbourne. On the train we found 6 empty seats (2 sets of 3 each facing each other) and ryan and I immediately lounged back with our feet on the chairs in front of us, bad idea. Along comes a train ticket inspector and his gang of cronies or as most like to call them local pommie hating yob's. After studying our tickets with a magnifying glass he kicks off about the fact that we hadn't validated them. Sorry mate but its our first day in Melbourne, the ticket shows we bought it today and its valid for all zones so whats the problem? Then he noticed Ryan had his feet on the seat (somehow he missed mine) and all hell broke loose. Basically he threatened us with a $200 fine each for the ticket mishap and an extra $200 for Ryan. Instead he said he'd be kind and throw us off the train!
When we made it to Melbourne went for a mooch through Batman Park, more like dry shrub land next to the river, heading for Crown Casino and Entertainment complex, for one reason and one reason only, Rocky (although i wasn't that bothered about it the others were adamant we had to see it asap). Very average film. We got the train back to Brighton and had a beautiful Roast dinner (didn't realise how much I miss home cooking) with the whole Egan family. Ryan and Peter were introduced to Jonathon and Alex, Chris and Mikes kids, who we'd missed in the morning. Jonathon showed us his X-box 360 and we discovered Madden 2007 for the next few days. After dinner Mike tooks us to the local pub where we all drank and I loved Carlton draught.
The flight from Perth arrived at Avalon airport (apparently thats the middle of nowhere like a million miles from the city and even further from where Mike and Chrissy live) at roughly 11pm. Mike had agreed on the phone to pick us up and we found him easily yet felt guilty after he told us about the ordeal of finding the airport. Mike and Chrissy are friends of my parents; my mum met Chrissy whilst she was travelling through Europe many years ago and both ended up working in a pub in London. When we arrived at their house, where we spent our entire and very enjoyable time in Melbourne, Chrissy was awake and quickly got round to making hundreds of cheese, ham and tomatoe toasties - Superstar.
The next day we slept in, it being the first morning we had spent since Thailand (I think!?) when we hadn't been woken my some person in our dorm going to work very early. At some point after midday we were dropped off by Chrissy at the train station in the Brighton suburb of Melbourne, Chrissy and Mike live in East Brighton and apparently Shane Warne is a local who still lives nearby. After scrabbling through our pockets for $6 plus worth of change each, we boarded the train heading for Flinders St station in central Melbourne. On the train we found 6 empty seats (2 sets of 3 each facing each other) and ryan and I immediately lounged back with our feet on the chairs in front of us, bad idea. Along comes a train ticket inspector and his gang of cronies or as most like to call them local pommie hating yob's. After studying our tickets with a magnifying glass he kicks off about the fact that we hadn't validated them. Sorry mate but its our first day in Melbourne, the ticket shows we bought it today and its valid for all zones so whats the problem? Then he noticed Ryan had his feet on the seat (somehow he missed mine) and all hell broke loose. Basically he threatened us with a $200 fine each for the ticket mishap and an extra $200 for Ryan. Instead he said he'd be kind and throw us off the train!
When we made it to Melbourne went for a mooch through Batman Park, more like dry shrub land next to the river, heading for Crown Casino and Entertainment complex, for one reason and one reason only, Rocky (although i wasn't that bothered about it the others were adamant we had to see it asap). Very average film. We got the train back to Brighton and had a beautiful Roast dinner (didn't realise how much I miss home cooking) with the whole Egan family. Ryan and Peter were introduced to Jonathon and Alex, Chris and Mikes kids, who we'd missed in the morning. Jonathon showed us his X-box 360 and we discovered Madden 2007 for the next few days. After dinner Mike tooks us to the local pub where we all drank and I loved Carlton draught.
Mike, Alex, Chrissy & Jono
The next day was pretty similar, we got the train into Melbourne after validating our tickets and went for a mooch around the many different and interesting laneways of the city centre. In one we found a quaint little French cafe where we had a late lunch and a drink. After more shopping in the city centre and enquiries of what to do on future days at the stunning Tourist info centre we got the train back to Mike and Chrissy's.
Chrissy had left that afternoon, with Jonathon and Alex, for Wodonga and her parents house, so Mike was the only one in. Mike bought some steaks and wine, we bought the beer. The meal was probably the best I've had whilst we've been travelling, and we drank some J. Boags (Tasmanian) beer whilst watching an Essondon vs. Carlton AFL match.
On the Saturday we walked just down the road to Brighton beach, famous for its colourful beach huts. Although none of us fancied swimming, I sat on the beach reading a novel and Peter and Ryan went for a walk kicking a ball we'd borrowed towards the Marina and lots of talling expensive looking yatchs for a picture opportunity. They came back with no impressive photos and cut feet from standing on glass and playing footie in thongs.
On the night we had quick showers and another home cooked meal, then we rang a taxi to take us to Fitzroy St. There we found a backpacker friendly pub/club (the drinks were pretty cheap) with live music and a decent atmosphere. All the makings of a good night except the fact that the band played some awful covers with added expletives and a load of fat aussie girls kept dancing nearby where we were. Still it were better than yet another night out back home but not something I could do repeatedly.
On our fourth day in Melbourne we again headed into the city via the train. This time however we decided to do some of the tourist attractions. We climbed the Rialto tower to the viewing deck at the top where there were some magical views across of the city landscape and the bay. Then we got on the free tourist shuttle around the city centre which we had planned to stay on and see the sights, it was so full however that we jumped off after a few stops and found ourselves close to Old Melbourne Gaol. We paid the entry fee and we just beginning to explore the old jail when a uniformed officer gave us a leaflet and asked us to come on her tour of the Watch House next door. It was only an extra $3 so we bought our charge sheets and joined the group outside the Gaol. We were led by Constable White, who had forbidden talking, to the Watch House and charge of us criminals was given over to Sergent Blank. I was chosen from the rabble to present myself for prisoner profiling. I stood there and was barked at to leave my possessions at one side and give the Sergent my details. I was Sandie Lopez, arrested whilst trying to rob the Crown Casino, poshly put gaming theft. We had some banter throughout and the whole group was a good laugh. After this interrogation we were taken to holding cells in groups and the lights were turned out, blackness ensued. The tour was complete when we had been given time to explore the many other cells and exercise yard.
On the Monday Chrissy was back and lent us her car for a journey along the Great Ocean Road. We drove as far as Lorne, where we had a pit stop and excellent fish n chips. Then we carried along the road a short while to a lay-by with a track leading to a pituresque waterfall we had seen in a leaflet, the name of it escapes me. Anyways, we parked the car and set off along a dusty track only to be suddenly attacked by a huge hoarde of flys. They were relentlessly flying at us until we returned to the car. This was the least of Peter and Ryan's worries however (not mine as I'm not that scared of posionous animals) as this was clearly snake and spider territory. Then we came to a scene out of Jurassic Park, before us lay Velociraptor Field in the Valley of Death, (an apparently very scary corn field). Peter nearly shit himself when a snake slithered out onto the path and I kept handly pointing out the many giant spiders webs and holes to Ryan but all I saw were some pretty big lizards. At the end of this "terrifying" walk we came to the waterfall, which had spectacularly dried up. So we went back to the car and left never to return.
Chrissy had left that afternoon, with Jonathon and Alex, for Wodonga and her parents house, so Mike was the only one in. Mike bought some steaks and wine, we bought the beer. The meal was probably the best I've had whilst we've been travelling, and we drank some J. Boags (Tasmanian) beer whilst watching an Essondon vs. Carlton AFL match.
On the Saturday we walked just down the road to Brighton beach, famous for its colourful beach huts. Although none of us fancied swimming, I sat on the beach reading a novel and Peter and Ryan went for a walk kicking a ball we'd borrowed towards the Marina and lots of talling expensive looking yatchs for a picture opportunity. They came back with no impressive photos and cut feet from standing on glass and playing footie in thongs.
On the night we had quick showers and another home cooked meal, then we rang a taxi to take us to Fitzroy St. There we found a backpacker friendly pub/club (the drinks were pretty cheap) with live music and a decent atmosphere. All the makings of a good night except the fact that the band played some awful covers with added expletives and a load of fat aussie girls kept dancing nearby where we were. Still it were better than yet another night out back home but not something I could do repeatedly.
On our fourth day in Melbourne we again headed into the city via the train. This time however we decided to do some of the tourist attractions. We climbed the Rialto tower to the viewing deck at the top where there were some magical views across of the city landscape and the bay. Then we got on the free tourist shuttle around the city centre which we had planned to stay on and see the sights, it was so full however that we jumped off after a few stops and found ourselves close to Old Melbourne Gaol. We paid the entry fee and we just beginning to explore the old jail when a uniformed officer gave us a leaflet and asked us to come on her tour of the Watch House next door. It was only an extra $3 so we bought our charge sheets and joined the group outside the Gaol. We were led by Constable White, who had forbidden talking, to the Watch House and charge of us criminals was given over to Sergent Blank. I was chosen from the rabble to present myself for prisoner profiling. I stood there and was barked at to leave my possessions at one side and give the Sergent my details. I was Sandie Lopez, arrested whilst trying to rob the Crown Casino, poshly put gaming theft. We had some banter throughout and the whole group was a good laugh. After this interrogation we were taken to holding cells in groups and the lights were turned out, blackness ensued. The tour was complete when we had been given time to explore the many other cells and exercise yard.
On the Monday Chrissy was back and lent us her car for a journey along the Great Ocean Road. We drove as far as Lorne, where we had a pit stop and excellent fish n chips. Then we carried along the road a short while to a lay-by with a track leading to a pituresque waterfall we had seen in a leaflet, the name of it escapes me. Anyways, we parked the car and set off along a dusty track only to be suddenly attacked by a huge hoarde of flys. They were relentlessly flying at us until we returned to the car. This was the least of Peter and Ryan's worries however (not mine as I'm not that scared of posionous animals) as this was clearly snake and spider territory. Then we came to a scene out of Jurassic Park, before us lay Velociraptor Field in the Valley of Death, (an apparently very scary corn field). Peter nearly shit himself when a snake slithered out onto the path and I kept handly pointing out the many giant spiders webs and holes to Ryan but all I saw were some pretty big lizards. At the end of this "terrifying" walk we came to the waterfall, which had spectacularly dried up. So we went back to the car and left never to return.
At the furthest point of our journey we reached the Twelve Apostles, the highlight of the trip. Here we took some amazing shots of the cliffs and stacks which had been left standing alone from the cliff face itself. The sea was battering them unmercilessly and it was clear to see why four Apostles have already fallen from grace and into the sea. Having driven all day I was shattered and Pete took over piloting the car back to our new home in Melbourne. The trip was special, with awesome winding roads along the beautiful Victorian coastline.
A geography teacher's wet dream
When we got back Chrissy had saved dinner for us, which we ate pretty late whilst watching the oscars. Then we watched Starsky and Hutch before crashing. We woke early and packed, before Chrissy drove us to the airport, again at Avalon, for our flight to Sydney at 7.40pm. We would all like to give a big shot out to Chrissy and her family for putting up with us for so long. We miss you guys and hope to see you soon. Sad as we were to leave it was Goodbye to Melbourne and Hello to Sydney!
Now you see why I've been putting this off so long, maybe there's "too much detail" as Ryan says, but thats just the way I write. Hope everyone's good back home.
Pics coming soon...
Tom
Now you see why I've been putting this off so long, maybe there's "too much detail" as Ryan says, but thats just the way I write. Hope everyone's good back home.
Pics coming soon...
Tom
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