Finish nights Friday 20th June morning and felt so tired especially between 4 and 5. Also couldn't get seat on train when got one a seat the past few days and do much to do when home eventually went to sleep 9ish. Woke up 12 then back fell back to sleep til 1on the sofa watching TV. Not that hungry so just had smoothie for breakfast, pack or Melbourne ended up having to take suitcase as went put in hold all would be too heavy. It was then to go for my manicure and pedicure in Neutral Bay at American Spa said had room but ended up having feet in spa for nearly 20 mins before started. Did feet first choose a nice blue colour gave them a little scrub first but suppose feet not that bad at moment so didn't do much. It was then nails on hand choose a pale colour as thought a colour might be too much since don't normally have colour on them. Must off been nearly a hour when getting bored off waiting for them to dry so went and put in dryers and trust me to smudge a toe nail but she re-painted. Once in dryer must off had them under for 5-10 mins when took them out told needed longer but had to get going since had flight to catch and already after 3. Realised when went to pay had to pay by cash and trust me not to off enough so had to go to cash machine. But told to be careful with nails and when told to be careful trust have to do lots of things with hands, so ended up smudging some nails by getting keys out off bag etc. When got home tried to find my woolly hat as thought might need in Melbourne but never found hopefully won't be too cold. When got to bus stop about 15.40 seem to be waiting ages eventually got on bus after 15.50. Straight to Wynyard and luckily direct train to domestic airport from there and arrived at airport just before 16.30. When got there heading checking in shouting anyone going to melbourne at 17.35 to check in as check in shutting shortly. Was abit worried as Tiago not here so went to speak said had 10 minutes otherwise if not here by then would have to get later flight, which didn't want to do. Luckily Tiago made it with less than 1 minute to go and I was stood at the check in desk waiting for him. After check in straight to security and then go find our gate as less than 30 mins til we fly but got there and trust our flight to be delayed. Ended up been nearly 30 minutes delayed but at least had pre booked our seats together and just enough room in overhead lockers for our luggage. Thought might get a nap on flight but didn't end up happening but at least flight only short about hour and half. Got the SkyBus a reliable low cost airport bus service from airport into city which runs every 10 mins. Unfortunately just missed the bus but at least didn't have to wait long for next one journey took about 20 mins. Had TV on bus showing things to do whilst in Melbourne like eureka tower, Melbourne star observation wheel, aquamarine etc. arrived at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne's city centre and do free hotel transfer and unfortunately our hotel out of radio us. So got taxi to our hotel staying at the Royce hotel which is a five star boutique hotel on st Kilda road with 100 stylish and doesn't disappoint as soon as you entry is very beautiful. As soon as step into room was get changed and go out the door again to go meet Amy and Ryan for dinner at Italian village at il cantucci. Luckily we had changed time as supposed to eat at 8pm which would off been late for so luckily was 9pm and was still a few minutes late but Amy and Ryan already got wine. We were not disappointed, I would highly recommend it Be warned though, they do not serve pizzas and there is no background music. The food is fresh, cooked to your liking is basically down to earth Italian food decided to try the squid ink black linguini served with seafood and touch of chilli, as never tried before and was intrigued to what it tasted like. What is it about eating black foods that it almost dares you not to eat and is definitely not for the timid eater it looks bizarre when arrives but tastes good. It tasted abit different to normal pasta as is slightly more salty and has a more seafood flavour which could of been because of the seafood in it. I found it to be quite flavourful would definitely try again but Tiago wasn't impressed with it preferred his porterhouse with capers, black olives and anchovies. Was a nice night Amy and Tiago mainly talked about work since both work for same firm but Amy just moved to Melbourne so me and Ryan speaking a fellow English person. Ended up having 3 bottles of red wine between 4 of us and was the second table to leave not sure what time got in. As soon as in order our breakfast for the morning by filling in slip for door so get room service. Then sleep bed nice and comfy woke up before breakfast arrived had full English breakfast was good just what needed. But couldn't manage to eat everything as also got crossiants and fruit salad will have later. Tiago feeling abit delicate so I went to the pharmacy to get some paracetamol and some water. Once back at hotel thought about going out to explore but was raining lightly so just chilled and think fell asleep again. When woke up had rest off breakfast and then went to get coffee and looked a nice coffee thought maybe go there for breakfast tomorrow. Also went to the wine shop to get wine for tonight and get more water and coke. When back look round hotel found gym which was very small and disappointed no pool thought a five star boutique would have a pool. By time back was time to get ready for tonight but not sure if enough time to eat in Dish there restaurant. So got room service again Fish n Chips this time which was ok but not the best had in Australia. Then get changed for tonight wearing my new clothes skirt, top and boots. Even though wore boots last weekend not the feet seemed abit tight but once had on a while seem to ease. Got taxi to the theatre as not quite sure where it was so didn't want to risk using tram and getting lost. As soon as got to the theatre felt like a big kid looked so impressive so off course had to have a picture taken outside. Inside the stage looked very enchanting even our seats were good had a good view off the stage just couldn't wait for it to start. Wicked is the untold of the witches of Oz, long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery and misunderstood, the other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. It was absolutely fantastic......best musical I've ever seen in a long time eventhough seen before. We had great seats too which made it even more enjoyable. The leads were incredibly talented with amazing voices, my particularly favourite was Elphaba the green witch and Glinda was also good..together they were electrifying and dynamic. Would definitely recommend it to anyone is amazing to watch, the setting and lighting effects were incredible ....it held us spell bound for the entire performance but preferred 1st half. My favourite moment was the witch elephaba singing defying gravity just amazing, even Tiago enjoyed aswell. After show got taxi back to hotel and went for our free welcome drink sparkling wine, since never had time yesterday and got there just in time before last orders. After having drink was feeling abit hungry so walked down street and found a McDonalds so had a burger then back to hotel and had red wine bought earlier. In morning on my birthday woke up 9ish as had to check out by 11 but was actually sorted earlier and went to cafe saw yesterday but unfortuantely shut. Decided to walk into city as didn't seem to far ended up taking us half hour to get to Federation Square luckily was a nice walk going past royal botanical gardens. Once at Federation Square needed breakfast went to timeout cafe which is great location in the centre of the city. The service was good and the food came out really fast. I had the Atlantic salmon which was salmon, poached eggs, asparagus, sourdough and potato rosti was delicious but couldn't manage all off the rosti. We were both not disappointed Tiago had the eggs benedict, would definitely go back as great menu choices. After breakfast got the free tram to near Southern Cross train Station so could leave our luggage there instead off carrying around all day. It was then to the Eureka Skydeck 88 the a Southern Hemishepe's highest viewing platform for an inspiring view of Melbourne. Decided we would do the edge experience aswell as something different but told may have to wait 1 hour to do it. The edge is the only observation deck in the world that can thrill you with a glass cube which projects 3 metres out from the building with you in it suspended almost 300 metres above the ground! The Eureka Skydeck is a definate, must do, when you visit Melbourne. It gives you the most magnificent views of Melbourne and got 10% off from the visitors guide we picked up on the Skybus. Is good to sit down and take it all in to enjoy the view of all off Melbourne's sporting facilities and the wonderful city elbow. Luckily we didn't have to wait an hour to do the aedge we was just starting to get restless and had just sat down when got called to do the Edge. The Edge involves stepping into a capsule, rather like a lift which juts out from the building when hydrolics are operated. There is a sound system that puts on a thunder/lightning storm, the glass is electronically controlled so it is opaque as the capsule moves outside of the building. Once it juts out the glass changes to semi clear and is a little scratched but you still get a chance to take a good look around and take in the view. Only thing is you can't take your pictures whilst on the edge which was abit disappointing so if you want a picture you need to buy the one there took. Luckily was only 3 groups 9 people off 2 couples and a family off five so at least gave us plenty of time to move around the glass cube as only get about 10 minutes. Ended up buying the souvenir picture as thought need to remember the experience and luckily was a nice clear day for a spectacular view. After doing the Skydeck walked along he Southbank which was a lovely place to meander lazily along the river and enjoy the sunny day. Walked past Federation Square to find the graffiti and found the Dreamworks Animation exhibition at the Australian Centre. Where found statues of Madagascar off the penguins and giraffe outside the building so had to have my pictures taken with them, but Tiago didn't have one as a kid jumped in after me. We then found the street graffiti as Melbourne is known for its unique expressions of art but unfortuantely not as good as last time. Afterwards was then for my birthday treat so thought would go to tearoom and found one we wrnt to lady time but queue was too long. So ended up going to Hopetoun tearoom which is in a most charming 19th century arcade block. This cosy tearoom was so inviting with the scrumptious display of cakes, tarts, cheesecakes and scones in the window. We waited in line for abit you just have to be prepared to queue luckily the queue moved quiet quickly. Once seated the queue was even longer and was inside was so much choice had a great selection off cakes and teas. Decided to share a lime tart, scones and a pot of tea with green tea and passion fruit as thought best try a different one. All was delicious would definitely go back again, even the main dishes looked tempting and was definitely worth the wait and must for my birthday treat. Unfortuantely after all that was time to head back to the Southern Cross train station as aim to be there 3.30pm and trust us to just miss the tram. But wasn't that far too walk only 10-15mins and when got to station just saw the Skybus pulling away then next one arrived. On way out off Melbourne saw the Melbourne star Observation Wheel which looked to offer amazing views will have to do next time come here. By time got to airport was there in plenty off time no rushing this time checked in on computers and even had time for hot chocolate before went though check in. Once in check in lounge didn't have to wait long to start boarding, even departed on time at 5.10pm and I had window seat this time. Landed a few minutes earlier than estimated time at 6.35pm then get train and bus home. Didn't really have time to eat out so just got a take away pizza as speaking to Mum and Dad later on Skype for my birthday. Spoke to Mum and Dad on Skype just after 8pm but didn't even have time to open my presents before I spoke so couldn't thank them for my gifts. As soon as got of Skype opened my presents and very pleased with my gifts got charms for Thomas Sabo bracelet from Sarah a clover and Mum & Dad got me a flip flop. Also got some clothes a Star skirt, Joules dress from Sharon, Ben & Ellie, Star top from Rachel, Joules navy top from Nanna. A few other things aswell like chocolate, Radley purse and still waiting on a few more presents to arrive which means my birthday will be extended. After opening all presents was going to speak to Sharon on Skype but had already gone out so she phoned me instead and got a birthday message from Ellie. So was a lovely birthday was a very special day and felt truly spoilt by Tiago he paid for most things in Melbourne.
