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Published: November 13th 2006
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("Love" is a common greeting for males to say to female strangers (but not because they're flirting!)...everything is..."thanks, love" "here ya go, love"...seemed to me that the title fits well...
Leaving Adelaide for Melbourne (St. Kilda) and the state of Victoria My overnight bus from Adelaide to Melbourne wasn't the most pleasant experience...but it arrived me safely in Melbourne City early in the morning on Friday November 3rd. I was happy to leave the cramped bus after 12 hours of foul smelling individuals, some whom had lost a lung along the way!!
After my arrival in the city center, I headed for St. Kilda which took about 15 minutes by Tram. I wanted to stay in the city but because of the biggest horse race in all of Australia (which is also a public holiday for Victoria) I was forced to head to the beach...now this would have been grand if it was hot and sunny like Queensland, but weather here in the state of Victoria is much colder with alot of wind...I miss tropical Queensland 😊 (Mary THANKS for the scarf!! I needed it!)
The following morning (Sat, Nov 4th), I took off on a 2
12 Apostles
Rainy weather now on the Great Ocean Road, but these rock stacks were amazing. day, "Great Ocean Road & Grampian" tour. The Great Ocean Road is a stretch of road that lines the coast, similar to Route 1 in California. ("similiar but different") It's beautiful and the waves were rollin high here (but beware my surfer mates of death by rocks)!! The safer sections were packed with wetsuit caps lining up for the next crisp curl, and I was memorized by the beautiful coast...however, three things really bummed me out on this tour...1) I couldn't stop and snap photos where I pleased...amazing shots were missed 2) The weather turned, and my to-be perfect photos were hindered by the rainy weather 3) the Grampians (mountain range) on day 2 were somewhat a waste of time for me since they were NOTHING in comparison to Flinders...yet I did see a pretty cool waterfall...
Back in St. Kilda, I rocked out the hostel pool table (pool is also different here, yet again, think "similiar but different"). But to my surprise, I awoke to a shining (yet cold) sun...and I finally was able to explore the town, and I only first discovered it's charm (vibe wasn't there on Day 1, as you can also sense a depressing
Waterfall in the Grampians
Favorite part of the Grampians... haze of dark souls here) But with the sun came kite surfers along unique coffee shops and beach city streets. Come nightfall, anyone and everyone was out for the biggest night of drinking in Australia, and despite intentions of a quiet night, I succombed to the pressures of my newly aquainted friends...and the 6.50 jugs (pitchers) at the
Prince of Whales (which ended up being on the house due to our feelgood hostel manager!)...it was fun, that is until morning came and I had to catch a plane. Someone luckily woke me as everyone stood ready to the board the plane!
Flight to the Island/State of Tasmania...into the city of Hobart I arrived in Tasmania's big city of Hobart (yet it's a small city), which was much colder....and had yet more rain. but I did find a way to make it through town to the Salamanca Markets...and a grocery store, but soon it was nothing but the common room where people escaped the weather with a good flick (or a bad one!) Hobart was beautiful...cute little houses, all different colors/designs sitting along hills with moutains landscapes in the distance and quaint little streets full of stores. Unfortunately, the
Kite Surfers
Beach in St. Kilda, there was miles of skim for board sports. rain prohibited photography of these views, so just use your imagination.
Heading North Overland Tasmania to Devonport The following day (Wed) I got a bus to Devonport to meet Christina's friend Amber and her husband Jarrod. After 4 hours of gorgeous agricultural scenery I arrived on the North Coast where I was greeted with a local brew and a pub meal. We proceeded to buy some "unlabeled overstock" wine...for only $2.99! (it's kind of like playing the lottery, you never know what you're gonna get but it beats the "goon" which many Aussies won't drink anyways!). We headed 15 minutes out of Devonport for the town of Port Sorell, the home of Jarod's mother (whom is out of town and lets Amber and Jarrod stay in her lovely home while away)...the house could be in a magazine with its interior decor, extensive patio, and huge windows...not to mention an extremely comfy guest bed!
I struggled on Thursday, wishing I was hungover, I realized there was a dreadful cold/flu approaching. I put on the warmest stuff I had and continued on with the day as if I would feel better if I pretended my aches didn't exist. We
Our Cheap Wine Night
No we didn't finish ALL those bottles, but we did have at least one a piece! Meet Amber and Jarrod. took a tour (drive) around Hawley Beach, and all the little boats sitting aside Muddy Creek. Amber tried to take me to a Lavender Farm to see rows of purple flowers but unforunately they don't bloom till late January. But we did see the murals along the town of Sheffield and ended the day with a good home cooked meal for sick little me.
Back in Melbourne City Centre Despite still not feeling well, I arrived back in Melbourne at a "flashbackpackers" called Nomad's Industry. I got a really cheap deal from this girl I met in St. Kilda, but it was a nice surprise that my last hostel in Australia was a cool one! I had a few days left in Melbourne to see the city before I head off to New Zealand. But I didn't do much but hang out and wonder the streets due to the fact that I'm a sick little pup, but I did not sleep my days away, and I have a few things to say about Melbourne (downtown that is)....
Apart from the dismal weather, this city ROCKS...as if you can feel a pulse running down its streets...and action all
around you. It has the shopping of a New York City and the street car/tram feel of San Francisco. (however, not quite as big or grand either, meaning it can't compare to these great US cities but still it's the closest thing Australia's got!) "The Basement" was a warehouse of grunge designer clothes that I couldn't afford and their largest department store, Myers, was putting on a xmas window story called "Wombat Divine" which featured puppets of all the common Aussie critters (Macy's still takes the cake here!). But the lines were outragous since this was the opening day (11/11)!
Live music surrounds your ears, and I was able to discover a reggae/new age kick ass band called Bonjah Banjo. (no worries I bought the CD to share when I am home!) Later I saw a breakdancing show after alleys full of coffee shops and chinese restaurants.
Later in the evening I started to forget I was sick when we had "free pool" night at Nomad's. After a few ciders and a lot of crushed hearts (one of my better nights at pool) I hit the sack, waking up to even more misery. Today, I finally made it
to the "chemist" and hopefully my worries are on their way out.
I have an early start tomorrow to catch my flight to Christchurch, NZ. Very excited, although not as excited as I should be considering my illness has me feeling a bit run down 😞 I have talked to Sarah and we have plans to meet in the North Island, my british friend Emma, should be catching up with me in NZ by the end of the week and my dear friend Carolyn is only weeks away from meeting for the rest of my travels...Matt has made sure Carolyn and I are not alone for Xmas...and we're spending new years on the beach in the Bay of Islands...NZ landscapes are supposed to be breathtaking and I look forward to warmer weather yet again...I have much to look forward to, as I am sure my last few months are going to fly by.
I will write more in NZ....much love...
Kristen
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Brent
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You can run you can hide but you cant escape my loooove
Babe! I loved this blog all the way through (except you feeling sick). The pics are sweet and you sound like you're soaking the energy and beauty around you. Just wait till you see some of the out and about in NZ, it's crazy terrain. Let me know your timetable and when you're coming home...when you're ready of course! Be safe and freeeee :-)