Melbourne

Off to melbourne today Friday after work and got to airport plenty of time once there texted Nat and was just in front of me. So got to jump the queue and joining Nat but somehow still didn't manage to get flight seats together but only behind each other. Had time to quickly get something to eat had sushi then time to go to gate at 17.30 and luckily plane left on time. When arrived to melbourne airport couldn't believe how cold it was compared to Sydney and our departure lounge was like a tin shed must of been as flying cheap and cheerful with Tiger airways. It then to find our way to melbourne city Debbie had recommended using the SkyBus as that's what their had used. The SkyBus ticket is the best value to get from Melbourne Airport to Melbourne city transfer, with a one-way ticket approximately 70 per cent less than the average taxi fare. We decided to get a return and just missed the first bus but only had to wait about 10 minutes for next one. The bus was probably better than the plane as had TV's on the bus to show you things to do in Melbourne. It dropped us off at the Southern Cross Station then time to find our nomads hostel but trust me and Nat to get lost walked to far up street. So we had to train round and then found our hostel but too our justice was on the opposite side off the road to what we were on. Our hostel is situated in one of the best central locations right near flinders street, Yarra river and Southbank. Trust us to be on the 3rd floor and obvisiously no lifts we had a bunk bed with a sink, I agreed to have the top bunk. It was then to go get food went to the Merrywell an American gastro pub next to the Crown Casino and had some dishes to share. We then walked down the buzzing Southbank promenade the path stretches along the south side of the Yarra River and saw some street performer. Then to meet Debbie and Bianca at Workshop Bar which is a cutting edge bar within an old mechanics workshop.  A section of the roof has been removed to create a brilliantly secluded outdoor playground in the heart of the city. We went there as Bianca meeting her brothers friend was ok but was full of young ones and we got in at midnight as Natalie tired.

Saturday up 8.30 then off to meet the girls and go to breakfast at 9.30 just went next door then to decide what to do today. To help us decide went to the Nomads information centre who gave us some maps 1st was to the Etihad Stadium to books tickets for AFL game but not open yet. So decided to go do some exploring instead round Melbourne and got slightly lost trying to find the graffiti walls but we eventually found near federation square. Melbourne is known as one of the world’s great street art capitals for its unique expressions of art displayed on approved outdoor locations throughout the city. Street art includes stencils, paste-ups and murals and does not include graffiti or tagging which is illegal. The artwork is fun and interesting which is constantly changing and been painted over as if we came back tomorrow will of changed. This is Melbourne's most contemporary art space.. The murals are amazing and the styles are as diverse as the themes; from the political through to comical to beautiful and vibrant work. It was then to find somewhere to eat ended up going to a little cafe on Southbank had a savoury muffin for a change. We weren't sure if we would make the AFL game at 1.45 as already 1.15 so wouldn't have time to walk it but luckily caught the free tram to the stadium. But unfortunately once we got there was abit off a queue to get tickets but was only $22 and when got in game had only just started. For Essendon, it was the game they were expected to win, were expecting to win but, finally, couldn't win against Brisbane Lions. Was a good game not that I can say I really understood the rules and I didn't realise hoe long it was as has four quarters off 20 minutes each. After the game Nat and Bianca went for a nap but me and Debbie decided to go the Melbourne Sealife Aquarium as free Merlin passes. The penguins were very good could press your nose to the glass in the Antarctica to watch the King and Gentoo penguins waddling on ice and darting through water. The seahorses were beautiful and the Oceanarium is great with a large quantity of smal and large fish (sharks, hugh stingrays etc) to admire. In the entrance is a giant shark and going down to the Oceanarium has a giant shark teeth to stand in, which obvisiously I had to stand in. It was good to pass a few hours but not sure if as good as Sydney one one advantage was that it wasn't as crowded so could wander round with ease.

It then back to hostel to get ready for our night out but what to wear decided on skirt with no tights but thought abit cold for vest top luckily Nat lent me her cardigan to wear. Met the girls then first stop was food went to the Crown Casino as it offers best selection of fine dining and casual dining. Ended up at the food court which has a wide range of food ended up getting Chinese which was good. The Crown Casino and entertainment precicint is very big which offers restaurants, shopping, gaming, accommodation and entertainment has some very posh shops. It was then to the Chill On ice lounge which has 50 Tonnes of ice carved out for your entertainment. You get to drink from the ice glasses, if you are a tourist in Melbourne, then Chill On Ice bar is a must see. The ice bar is amazing cold but amazing the ice sculptures were really cool and the animal skins were fine. Everything inside the ice lounge is made of ice from the bar to lean to the seats to sit on and thebglass you drink from. It was awesome fun and the drinks were really yummy aswell and the ponchos were great to wear completely made the experience unique. Only thing was it was quite strange drinking with ski gloves on but at least my feet were warm in the ugg boots even if my legs a little cold. The price of admission was $30 for 30 minutes with a cocktail was very cold  think we left just before 30 minutes. Only downfall is you can't take cameras in but their have 2 camera installed and you can take pictures with these and cost $15 each, but none we liked. It was then to Transport hotel which has 3 floors transport ground floor bar, taxi dining room and then at top the transit cocktail lounge. Transport hotel is known as a great meeting place after work or before a night out at one of the nearby arenas, with its iconic T able to be seen from a distance, your friends will never get lost. It also boasts a lively night of fun and entertainment also it is opposite flinders street station and you can see why it is a great meeting point. We met Nat's friend Josh here who lives in Melbourne so was going to show us some places to go. He took me and Nat to the transit bar which is a rooftop bar which gives you good views of city. Next was Cookie bar which we didn't even get a drink as Bianca not keen so next was 'Emerald Peacock' a rooftop cocktail bar. The cocktail menu is extensive and the stylish bar has a casual rooftop setting with great views and Josh left us here. It was then to find somewhere to dance we got taxi to Docklands and went to club Alumbra cost $20 to get in. Alumbra had a lofty warehouse feel which is best described as back alley Casablanca meets New York and was very busy someone even had someone stand on my foot got in 1ish.

Sunday woke up 8.30 but didn't get moving til 9ish, then shower, finish packing and had to take all linen off bed. It was then time to check out at 10am first taken linen downstairs then told didn't have to strip beds put luggage in luggage room then meet girls downstairs. Then breakfast and went to the same place we went last night the food court in Crown Casino only had something small a almond crossiant. We then decided we would go to Kilda beach today and was told only takes about a hour so we thought we would start walking. We got as far as Albert Park which took about 30 minutes then decided would get a taxi the rest of the way was none going by so ended up phoning for one. As soon as we got to Kilda beach the first thing we saw was Melbourne Luna Park which is a historic amusement park located on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda. This Luna park looked more freaky than the one in Sydney but we decided against going inside instead wander past the stalls and onto the beach. Before we wandered onto the beach it looked a nice view from the other side off the bridge could see the pier and yachts. Just a shame no colourful beach huts is actually at Brighton beach so will have to come back to see. Also no penguins which can notmally be seen on the St Kilda pier, but they will not be able to be viewed until early September due to the construction of the marina. It was then to Beachcomber for milkshake then wander further down the beach front to the lighthouse then back to beachcomber for lunch salmon pizza, was good. We then got the taxi back to the city Debbie and Bianca went to rest at the hostel whilst me and Nat went to DFO but was not as good as Sydney one. It can't off been as good as I didn't even buy anything it did have a Peter Alexander but didn't appear to have as good discount as our. Back to hostel and chill before we had to go catch the Skybus back to the airport but we were in different terminals. Whilst queuing up to check in was one of the Drs from my hospital what a small world and we got seats together this time. Our terminal was very small didn't really have much in just one shop so didn't get anything eat. Got home at 21.30 and speak to mum and dad on Skype then Rhys phoned as wanted to hear my English accent had a good chat.