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I'm adding Melbourne to my list of 'places I could live if they weren't so far away from home' (the list includes New York and San Francisco as well). I just love the atmosphere here, and the fact that there's so many things to do which don't cost much money. It's not the weather - which although hasn't been as bad as in Sydney (or obviously on the way here in the campervan) has hardly been sunny like you'd imagine Australia.
Our arrival, as featured on the previous blog entry, was not one that I particularly enjoyed. I knew I'd probably like it here just by merit of not being in the van. The first place that we stayed in, for the first four nights, is in a district called 'Richmond' and called 'The Freeman Lodge'. The location is a little out of the centre, but walkable, and Richmond itself is actually really nice. There's loads of nice places to eat and drink, and clothes shops that I was aching to buy things from (
just the sort of clothes I like and really cheap with the exchange rate. Damn small bag/budget!!) The other nice thing about the first place
that we stayed was the hostel owners, Bob and his wife (who's name I instantly forgot, damn my crappy memory). They were really friendly and helpful, and always asking us our days plans and giving suggestions. It felt a bit home-from-home-ish. This was helped by Keith the cat, who's picture is on my previous blog entry. He's really lovely and soft and cuddly, and has a proper cheeky cat personality which is something that I definitely miss from home (obviously all the people too!) He also dribbles and has big feet - two attributes that are just cute!
On the walk up to the hostel from the centre we also passed that MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), which Aaron appreciated. It's massive, and on our first night Australia played New Zealand there at Rugby Union. It was so crazy and busy, but the atmosphere wasn't vindictive. We were going to watch the match at Federation Square on the big screen but for some unknown reason they didn't show it - so we went into the Crown casino complex and watched it there. We met two girls on the way and stood with them - it was fun making fun of the random sports with them. Aussie rules is just weird (but fun to watch hopefully - we're going to the MCG tomorrow to watch a match!) and there was some horse racing on the other screen where the riders sit in carts at the back. I could do that!
The hostel that we're at now is called the 'Urban Lodge', and is a lot busier and younger-feeling than the previous one. Unfortunately there's no Keith the cat, but there is a bar which sells $5 jugs of lager which is making up for it! It's the first hostel we've been at that has it's own bar, and it's really nice being able to go there and relax and feel sociable after a day's urban exploration. I also like the free breakfast and rice and pasta that we can use at tea time(and tea/coffee and milk all the time). People don't seem to be as respectful here as at the last place though, leaving dishes unwashed and stuff. We're good though!
The first night didn't go too well at the current hostel. Our roommates were two lads, and one of them snored louder than I've ever heard in my life and didn't stop or relent. It got to 3.30am, and I couldn't take it anymore (and earplugs couldn't even block the noise) so I went to reception and asked about changing rooms (I meant the next day, but he found us one that night!) - Aaron seemed to appreciate moving somewhere more peaceful. I am a light sleeper, but Aaron's not, and this lad kept us both awake. We haven't got new roommates in this room yet, but I think we will tonight - the place tends to fill up at the weekend. If these ones snore I think I'll just have to put up with it!
There's nightly entertainment in the hostel bar, on the first night it was a Music Quiz (we came joint third - dad I need your skills!) and then the Mexican game. This game involves downing a pint through a funnel-thing, being spun round 10 times, and jumping over a chair and running to down a shot of tequila, then going and drinking a shot of chilli tequila through a straw then being spun round 5 times on a chair and then running to the finish line. I'm a lightweight wuss, but Aaron did it and came third! Last night it was a drag show, which was funny (but got boring so we ended up going to the TV room and watching Law and Order!).
Otherwise whilst we've been here we've done lots of walking (as usual). Visited St Kilda, which is the seaside part of Melbourne and really pretty. It's similar to Richmond shop-wise, and also has really nice restaurants. I found the best ever chocolate scones here. We've also looked around the Moving Images Museum, and hopefully we'll be seeing the Pixar exhibition thing on Monday. We were boring yesterday and came to the library and researched SE Asia - felt like being at uni again! Was useful though, and we now have a proper route!
I think we're going to the Melbourne Museum this afternoon (this arvo?) and then watching a live band at the hostel tonight. Is the life!
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Dad
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No more wombats...
Hi Vicky, Glad you're feeling better after your ordeal in Scooby Doo's van. Melbourne sounds very nice, maybe get there one day myself, next Ashes series (don't tell your Mum!) Please stop sending photo's of cute animals. Mum wants a wombat, but there's no room on the kitchen windowsill! Love Dad xx